Year: 1874

not harm my grandfather and I would
dog"





I am doing my best, Nellie, you


may be sure of that If there's ever so
so small loophole for escape, trust to
me that poor Jack shall have the benefit
of it"


The speaker was Nellie's pIighted
lover, George Denton, the detective, a
thoughtful-lookingm man, some years her
! senior, who had already given evidence
OF more than average ability in his call
ing.


My brother is not guilty, George; I
could stake my life on it. "


. So L could, Nellie but leave it to
me. The examination is adjourned, and
L may do much in the meantime


bis words gave Nellie Birch comfort
for tbs present, and she trusted in
them.


The court was crowded, for much in
terest had gathered round the case of
the old man, whose mysterious death
had followed so suddenly upon bis ac-
cession to wealth. The prisoner was
pale and haggard from mental suffering
and want of sleep. but holding his head
erect, and gazing before him with eyes
that never lowered or shralk, and look
ing very unlike a man charged with
murder. But the evidence had gone
against him, and he was committed to
take his trial for the willful murder of
his uncle, David Birch. The decision
was received by the prisoner with a
shuddering gasp of breath, and a wild
look of agony in his eyes, as a scream
from a woman came from the crowd-it
was voice that he knew, for it was poor
Nellie who had dropped down insensi-
ble. He was about to be removed when
there was sudden stir in court, and
man whom many there recognized as
George Denton, the detective, forced
his way through the crowd. Another
moment, and he vas standing before
the magistrate, every ear drinking in
his words.


The prisoner, John Birch, is not
guilty, and am prepared to prove it. %


"On what evidence %


That 1t Is a case of mistaken iden-
tity the man whom he Is accused of
numbering being still alive. He lies
helpless on a sick bed, or he would
have been here to set this wrong right. -


The deposition which was made be-
fore the startled bench may be briefly
summed up as it was afterWard related
IN the presence of a reunited family
circle, when the old bird-fancier got
we'll enough to add his portion of the
story. He explained that, after leav-
ing his friend Moss, he had been met
and attacked by a man In an unfrequen-
ted lane. They had struggle, during
which he had received a blow on the
head that must have made him insensi-
bic, for he remembered nothing more,
until he found himself in bed in a
strange room how long he had lain
there he could not tell. He had been |
taken home 10y humane market-gard- |
ener, who found him lying senseless in |
the road, without hat or coat; his in |
jury proving to be a serious fracture of /
the skull, and the death-llke stupor |
continuing, he was left on the hands of |
the good Samaritan, vino, living some |
f.om London, had no chance |
of gaining any information about him. |


At this point George Denton took up |
the narrative. His first step had been |
to obtain sight of the body; he had |
found peculiar mark on the right side /
Of the neck, which led to the suspicion /
that, instead of being the body of Da- /
vid Birch, it was that of a notorious /
burglar with whom he had been several |
lines brought IN contact in the course /
Of his profession. This was further
proved when he found on inquiry that /
Light-fngered Joe, as he was called,
was missing from his accustomed
launts, and one of his associates re-
having seen him in the neigh
of Fulham on the night named.
Upon making inquiries in that locality
George learned that a neutrality-suspicious.
lad been asking whether any one be-
Onging to the neighborhood was miss
ng, as a man unknown was lying i'll at
his cottage.


Thus, step by step, the deteetive had
the mysterious affair. twas
.hought that the drowned man had en-
led his nights work by getting drunk;
md losing his way in the dark, had fall
en- into the river. This was the history
If the mistake through which the young
had so unjustly suffered. But
he old bird-fancier seemed anxiOus to
make up matters by a full reconcilia-
ion with his nephew, satisfying his
by his unexpected hber-
llity towards the brother and sister,
lot forgetting reward TO George Den
on for his faithful service. Polly made
10 secret of her feelings towards John,
md it was easy to see how it would end
With the young people.