Year: 1866

CHAPTER VI.


Upon more minute and thorough search
of the portion of the house, where the
mysterious tragedy was supposed to have
occurred, pistol, whose contents had evil
IDENTIFY but lately been discharged, was
found near the tracks of blood upon the
staircase. There could be no question as
to the ownership of this weapon, for the
name of Sir Richard Beverly was engraved
in large german text upon silver plate
upon the stock. Edgar Houston certainly
never saw or handled that pistol, and, as
two reports had been distinctly heard, it
was at once concluded that Barney must
have fred upon Edgar, or whoever the in
dividual was, that inflicted the mortal
wound. The nature of poor Bnney's
wound rendered any other inference quite
unreasonable. As he could not have fired
after the wound was inflicted, as matter of
course, be must have begun hostilities hiu-
self by rashly discharging his pistol upon
his unknown pursuer. Sir Richard, of
course, acknowledged himself the owner of
the pistol, and said he had loaned the weap
on to Barney the day before. The ques,
ton which occurred to Mr.. Harcourt and
Minnie, and which enraged the former
beyond all bounds, will very naturally sug-
gess itself to the mind of the reader: Why
did the baronet loan Barney his pistol and
what possible use did the Irishman lind for
such deadly weapon, while traverslng the
apartments of the family at dead of night
in the form and character of ghost? The
answer was irresistable-it could not posi-
bly be ayoided-Barney was instructed to
use it, if an emergency made it appear
necessary. Use it upon anything or any
body that attempted to expose the deception
and detect the fraud, which be had been
hired to practice upon the simple-heaFted
and prosecuted maiden.


1T is no use, said Mr.. Harcourt, turning
impatiently away, as the baronet concluded
a long and evidently shallow explanation
and defence. The thing stands just this
way-Edgar, or somebody else, followed
the supposed ghost, which he had reason to
believe was walking, living breathing he;
and, finding itself hard pressed, and about
to be detected and exposed in its rascality
and gigantic deception, turned and fired
upon the person following, who naturally
enough, returned the shot, with what effect,
we have SEEM very we'll p said the bar
onet, shave it your own way, have it your
own way! This much more, however, l
will add'-here he glanced triumphantly
upon Minnie-'and that is, the pistol con-
tanned heavy poisoned slug, which can be
found nowhere. Very possibly the redoubt-
able Edgar Houston, or some other noctur-
nal visitor of Miss Harcourt's, may have
taken it away with him as keepsake-not
in his pocket, however


Minnie started and changed color, and
slight, momentary tremor agltated and
shook her delicate fran, then, slowly raising
her head, and looking up into the baronets
flushed and angry face, she said, 'Better-'
aye a thousand times better death, than
dishonor! If Mr. Houston's death should
be occasioned by your poisoned bullet
which towards alone make use of-his early
departure from this wicked world, and his
separation from his hearts idol, will be as a
little thing, when he knows what an mex
tricable mystery and dishonorable plot he
has solved, exposed and scattered to the
wind, and from what an ignouinious fate
he has rescued me. So far, sir, as your
unmanly illusions to my nocturnal visitors
are concerned, have only to add that you
are Wondrous brave, when feeble woman
and an aged and in6rm man, are in your
presence. Poor, pitiable, contemplate a.
pology for man the chirping of that insig-
nifcapt cricket upon the hearth affects me
and mine as much as your foul and coward
ly words


IF Sir Richard will look over in that
6eld,' said Mr.. Harcourt, pointing out OF
the window upon long row of tents, she
will find in that sight very good reason
why he should vaoate these premises forth
with. A slight signal from the belfry
would bring half dozen boys in grey over
here, who would, without the slightest
consideration, which you may fancy your
dignity entities you to, ride you out to the
lines upon a wooden horse, and thrash the
life out of your worthless carcass beside. ,


So saying, and before Sir Richard could
recover from his astonishment and speechless