Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-03-31

been proved as identical with that Of
the devil-stick. Thus beyond all doubt,
we should have learned that Maurice
had been killed by the devil-stick. To
avert the discovery, and to prevent the
analysis Of the poison in the body,
Dido, under the direction of Dr. Ell
valid, committed the third crime The
man has some power over her. What
that power may be. I know no more
than you do. Although" added Jen.
with an afterthOught, you may be able
TO explain
No. have no idea why Dido should
serve Etwald"
Take care, David. You are forcing
me to believe that you are acting in
this way from an unworthy motive. It
is your duty to aid me in discovering
and Furnishing the murderer of Maui
rice. Yet you leave me to do all the
work, and refuse your assistance in
any way. Unless you alter your man
ner, and take me into your confidence
regarding the reason of this strange
! behavior, a breach not easily mended
may occur between US"
| He paused, waiting for his ward TO
make some reply in defence of his con-
| duct. The young man neither moved
nor spoke, but, paler than usual, he
stood before the Major with his eyes
| on the ground. More in sorrow than
in anger, Jen looked at him, then turn
| ed on his heel and walked into the
| house. David looked after him with
| quivering lips.
IF he only knew the TRUTH said he,
wiping the perspiration from his face,
what would he say? What would he
do? He blames me now; would he
blame me then?"
! In the meantime, while Sarby was
indulging in this enigmatic soliloquy,
Major Jen was pursuing his way to-
wards the room of Jaggard. Despair
ing of obtaining information from Da-
vid. he thought it possible to learn the
truth from Jaggard. Honestly speak
ing, the Major was puzzled by the con-
duct of his ward. Hitherto, he had al
ways considered David to be an hon
est man, but at the present time his
conduct savored of duplicity. Did he
know of anything relative to the triple
| crime which had been committed? If
| so, why did he not speak? Finally,
was David also under the fatal infiu-
ence of DR.. Etwald-the man who, Jen
verify believed, was the source of all
these woes?
Jen found that Jaggard, having had
a sleep during the long absence of his
master, was much better. Finding
himself alone with his servant, Jen
addressed himself Immediately to the
business in hand.
DO you feel stronger, Jaggard?" he
asked. Z wish you to tell me what
took place on the night you were
drugged."
After you left me, sir, remained
seated in my chair beside the bedside
Of my poor master. If you remember,
there was only one candle in the room,
which was placed on the. table some
little distance away. I examined the
window and found it closed 1t was
bolted and barred. The door was sim
ply closed, for never thought Of lock-
ing it, as 1 fancied, sir that you might
return after midnight to see if Ill was
right"
I did not, however, Jaggard. I fell
| asleep in the library, after Mr. Sarby
had gone to bed; and. of course, I had
| every confidence in you"
Please, don't say that, Major" said
Jaggard imploringly, "as I did my
best. 1t was not my fault that Dido
drugged me. I'm sure I don't know
why she did so. I never did her any
harm"
DO you know what occurred during
the time you were insensible?"
No, sir. I've only got my wits
about me now"
Well" said Jen, seeing that the
man spoke in all good faith, the body
of Mr.. Maurice was stolen on that
night"
THE body stolen!" repeated Jaggard.
in amazement. For why, sir?"
Z can't tell, nor can anybody else.
All we know is that at that at 8 o'clock
in the morning we entered Mr. Maui
| rice's room and found the window
open, the body gone, and you fnsensi-
BILE"
The window OPEN" said Jaggard,
| thoughtfully. Then it must have
been opened from the inside, sir"
by Dido, no doubt"
I'm certain of it, Major; and it
was that black witch who stole the
body. She was hidden under the bed,
sir"
Under the bed! Are you sure ?"
said Jen. greatly startled by this in
| formation.
Yes, Major. 1t was this way. was
seated by the bed, at the foot of it,
with my face to the door. The win
dow, as I said, was locked. She could
not have got in at the window, and
had she entered by the door, I should
|
gard, in faint voice, she grabbed
me from behind"
From behind?"
Yes, sir. I was not quite asleep.
but a kind of doing in my chair I
don't know what it was made me
sleepy, as I was wide awake when you
left, sir. But there was kind of
heavy sleepy smell about"
I know, I know-the devil-stick per
fume."
We'll, sir, the smell made me sleepy;
and though I heard a noise behind me
l could not turn my head I was just
as if in nightmare, sir. Then the
black arm of that witch came from
behind me and grabbed at my throat.
and she held a handkerchief with that
stuff on it to my nose"
All" said Jen to himself, Il knew
that Isabella was speaking falsely.
Go on, Jaggard," he added
aloud. Why did you not call out?"
I couldn't sir. I felt as in dream
but turned and tried to fight her.
She pushed me over, and I fell like a
log. think 1 must have hit my head
on corner of the bed, for 1 felt a
cruel pain at the back of It I don't
know what it all means, sir, but I am
sure know how Dido god into room .
All! That is what I wish to learn.
Weu?"
If you remember, sir, Dido called to
see you that day"
les. To ask if I would see her mis-
tress; a most unnecessary question"
, 1t was a blind, sir; and when she
left the room I don't believe she left
the house.
What makes Won think ca