Irvine Express and North Ayrshire Post. — 1885-06-12 (Irvine, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MOVES.--THE 'MAE OF PUDDLETOIS SPEAKS  HIS MIND. VBRY soon after the conclusion of the inquiry at the inquest, Simon lluncomb, arrayed in shabby garments, set out across the park. He did not pass the South-terrace, but went by the footpath through the wood, and over the stile to the Moorland. Crossing a corner of the common.land, as it was called, he reached the blacksmith's forge. A boy was lolling over the half-door. "I say, my lad, is your name Harris? The boy replied in the affirmative. "You brought a note to Mr. Simon, at The Hall, yesterday evening. Who gave it to you? ' "A tall, miner chap—him as they say is killed." "Very well. Then you'll be had up by the coroner, and they'll have all your poaching up against you. You'll have to go to gaol, perhaps, my lad.' "What for?" asked the boy, in a frightened tone. " For.gettin' a letter " . .  "N:;.; for what you have done. 1 know! Now, look here; you're a sharp lad, and Mr. Simon will you a good turn.' '1 hat letter was important. Here's a sovereign for you. Take his advice, and go away for a while till the trial is over. Thenyou need not be afraid."  "I will,' said the lad. "Give me the money. 1 11 be off this very day." "Be quick then, for the coroner will have the warrant out to-morrow, and they'll have you up in the court, too. The police know you!" " They du.' I'll cut. Thank you, sir. I'll be off, you may depend, and say nothing to anybody." "Quite right. Keep quiet for a while, and perhaps Mr. Simon, if he finds you sharp, will give you a situation after all.'  The boy nodded, looked at the gold piece, and maid: .  "Can't ye change it for silver—l'd rather." "1 ddresay I can," replied Simon, who soon gave the lad the change and matte him happy. Then the heir apparent to the property returned unnoticed through the wood, and strolled about the stables, on his way in. Having thus disposed of the chief evidence against him, Simon felt happier. He was, of course, quite unaware of what Doctor Trewthorn had found out, but he trusted to his "luck," which certainly in this case had been great, to pull him through. The devil gives us some success at times, till, having so much rope, we run, pull ourselves into a noose, and are caught. The inquiry was resumed in due course. The lad who had canied the note could not be found. No one could say were he had gone. He was known as Harris, a determined young poacher, and the general impressimi seemed to be that he had conveyed himself away for fear of detection in some petty larceny. At the resumption of the inquest, Doctor 'drewthorn had no proper opportunity to ventilate his theory of the murder or manslaughter. The jury intimated their desire to return a verdict, an l greatly to the doctor's delight it was an open verdict. The deceased had Met his death from a blow on the head from some blunt instrument, but under what circumstances he had received it there was not sufficient evidence to show. This was tantamount to a verdict of " Manslaughter against some person or persons unknown," and there the matter rested. The doctor was not satisfied Simon was ill at ease, poor Sarah was too ill to afford any information, and the inquest ended in a manner rather unsatisfactory to all concerned. The police, however, were interested, and had their wits at work.  After the funeral the inmates of the Rookery made preparations to proceed to Puddleton on the promised visit to Sir Edward Askenhurst. Jessie wrote to Katie, announcing the time of their anticipated arrival, and packing began again. The newspapers were full of the details of the extraordinary death of Harry Collins, details which a certain individual named Edwards, in Cecil-street, London, eagerly devoured, alternately with letters from Dr. Ashton. in which that gentleman informed him that the warrant for the arrest of Hosea Calton was out and descriptions printed besides. Of course, Mr. Duncomb and all his family were quite well acquainted with this intelligence. The sudden flight of the man just prior to the issue of the warrant for his arrest, gave rise to remark. Mervyn's name was never mentioned now. Simon had so well managed to imbue his father with the idea that Mervyn had married Bessie and had been ini.idtaf.,l in mv,.r.ge. II at even Ird the Vellnr: man  1  • . - , . .  ........ .....,....-„,,..,,...,..,......., ,