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CHAP. XXXIV.

DARLISTON.

WHAT WAS DONE AT HARBY HALL.

I woke rather late next morning, and hastened my dressing in the expectation of hearing from Barbara some news of what had occurred. It was as I supposed-Harby Hall had been visited by burglars. If Barbara knew more she did not tell it, perhaps because I have sometimes inclined to check her gossip.

I had finished breakfast, and was about seeking Lance in the garden for fuller information, when I was gratified by the sight of Alfred Merrivale at my gate. I could not but contrast his animated, cheerful aspect with that he had borne three weeks before, and rejoiced to think circumstances had so roused his spirit.

"I am a very early visitor, Mrs. Gainsborough," he said, as he shook hands; "but I hope you will excuse me, for I suppose you inust have heard the bell last night, and wish to know what has occurred?"

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"Very good of you to come." 'I assure you I have quite enjoyed the walk," Alfred continued; for, though I have been remarkably comfortable in all other respects, I have not been at liberty to leave Harby Hall." "All right?" I asked; "nobody hurt? no robbery?"

"All right," he answered; "and two of the men taken."

"Is the man with the doubtful complexion one?"

"I am happy to say he is, and that I had the satisfaction of being his captor. It was a great satisfaction, for I could not feel certain others would be as convinced as myself of his identity with your acquaintance. The man went on very discreetly, and, though on Sunday we were almost certain he was in the house, the little terrier giving notice of some such fact, we could not detect him. The chamber I slept in opened near the foot of the upper staircase, and each time I passed I used to look to rope of the alarm-bell. It is of crimson silk, and was passed from the turret, which is directly over the great staircase, through fixed rings, down to the hall of entrance. Yesterday afternoon I noticed there was a stain

the

on the rope, so I mounted to the turret and began drawing it up to examine what could have produced it. The tassel catching in the ring on the first floor caused a slight strain; to my surprise it parted, and nearly the whole length of rope fell into the hall. Some strong acidaqua fortis, I think-had been applied to rot the silk within a few feet of the turret entrance. The women could not have reached it, nor could the bell have been rung, without climbing, by any one; for my next investigation showed that the lock of the turret chamber had been tampered with, and the key refused to turn. With Truscot's assistance I spliced the rope, and then went to inform General Wetheral. The old soldier was highly delighted, and declared we should have them all yet, if we did not let the women spoil all by ringing the bell too soon. Blucher, the mastiff, has been under the special care of the coachman. His master, being of opinion, that unless Judkins poisoned him, the attack would not be made while he was on guard without, had ordered him into the house, and given him the range of the ground-floor. The principal rooms are all on the first floor, except, indeed, the large entrance-hall which contains the staircase, and runs, with galleries round, a story higher. As you enter the library lies to the right, the drawing-room to the left, each having antichambers opening on the gallery. It was usual for myself and General Wetheral to sit up together in the library until three o'clock in the morning, Truscot also being up. When we closed our watch the two men-servants entered on theirs. This night they were directed to be in readiness, one only sleeping at a time. In general they were both asleep before the hour the attack was made, and perhaps that fact was known by the groom, so they may have supposed they had only to expect immediate resistance from the mastiff, and two infirm old men: they might not have come off very well, though, with two old men, so resolute and accustomed to the use of arms. I have spent really pleasant hours, night after night, with the General; he has been altogether kind to me, and is very entertaining company. I have often heard that cowardice is infectious, and I think the same may be said of its reverse. The cam

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paigning stories told me seemed to give a sort of zest to the situation in which I found myself. In the view of Harby Hall you had from the park you must have seen that a stone balcony runs nearly from back to front; it is before the drawing-room windows, and we had some reason to think that a tree growing near might have been the means of affording Judkins wherewithal to swing into the balcony the time he entered the house. The groom, you understand, calls himself Charles Judkins, but the General, alluding to his change of complexion, commonly speaks of him as my friend chiaroscuro. The attack was a very sudden one, and, as there were five men in the attacking party, it is possible that, but for the alarm-bell, they might have carried out the purpose of their visit. It was a little before eleven o'clock, General Wetheral was describing to me the costume of one of the hill tribes, and I was making an attempt to draw it from his description, when the skye-terrier in the gallery barked, and was joined by Blucher's deep tones. The same moment we heard a crash, and Truscot, who had been reading in the antechamber, opened the door and said, 'The drawing-room, sir.' Before we were across the gallery I heard Mrs. Rowley's voice, screaming to Dawlish and the coachman, and was aware of something white flitting on the staircase above. 'Not yet, not yet-Mrs. Rowley!' the old General cried; but it was too late; the alarm-bell was sounding over the country. When we entered the drawing-room we were only in time to catch sight of two of the men as they were dropping over the balustrade of the balcony. The General sent a shot after one, apparently without effect, but I was enabled to descend by means of a rope they had left, and picking out; the one among the runaways who appeared most like 'my friend Chiaroscuro,' kept as near to his heels as I could. I think I ran him a mile about the park, and once was near being knocked down, by mistake, for one of the burglars; but I grappled with the man at last, and, as he was a little more out of breath than myself, I got the mastery. Another of the men was seen getting over the park wall by one of the Dingleton lads, and pursued, but he showed pistols, and would probably have got off if the police had not been on the alert. He was taken by them, in rather a sudden manner, an hour later, and has been recognized by his first pur

suer."

"Was the groom armed?” I asked.

Yes, but so was I; and the advantage was on my side, for it would have lessened his chance of escape from others had a pistol been fired."

I offered my hearty congratulations on his safety and achievement, and Alfred further informed me there had been a grand find of the burglars implements of industry in the garden. He had been to the General's room with the information just before he left, and had also to tell him of the capture of the other man. He was pleased to find some greater result than had

first appeared likely, and poor Mrs. Rowley no less so, for she had caught a good scolding from her master for her precipitancy." In conclusion, I heard that General Wetheral had requested Alfred to convey his compliments to all the members of the party from which Mrs. Wellwood had deserted, and to request their attendance at Harby Hall half-an-hour before one, when the examinations would take place. He undertook to arrange that we might be present without inconvenience, and particularly wished Miss Dalziel might come, as he hoped she might recognize the men. I offered to send Lance with a note to Darliston Hall immediately, and Alfred Merrivale departed, intending to proceed to Cedar Lawn and Mr. Littington's. Helen had no difficulty in obtaining leave of absence on this occasion. She came riding down to me about noon, very desirous of particulars as to what had occurred, and I put her in possession of the facts as they had been recounted to me. Then Paddy was saddled, and we went together to Harby Hall.

We were received by the housekeeper, and shown to the library, where General Wetheral gave us a courteous welcome, and we found ourselves among friends, all the strawberryfeast party being there with the exception of Mrs. Ainslie and Alice. Alfred Merrivale was not present on our entrance. The General, as if aware I was especially interested, mentioned his conduct with great praise; saying to me, "He should have been a soldier-" a high compliment from one so well able to judge of the qualities requisite to sustain the name. We were still speaking of him, when the youth entered with a quick step and a look of some excitement.

"Mr. M'Kinnom is here," he said; "I have ust seen him enter with my brother; but there is also one with them whose presence indeed does surprise me-Mr. Witham!"

Certainly the company present participated in this surprise. Helen and I exchanged looks almost of consternation at his transcendent assurance.

"What!" said the General; "the pseudo Witham or the true man?"

"The same person Mrs. Gainsborough hindered from making a study of your staircase, by hinting his identity with one of the Black Band; the same person I once came upon in conversation with "Chiaroscuro." There he is in the hall, leaning on the bannisters of the stair, toying with the tassel of the alarm-bell and chatting to Mr. M'Kinnom."

"We must not frighten him away too soon," said General Wetheral; "but we must have Kean in and consult what should be done."

The inspector came, and advised that Alfred Merrivale should abstain from declaring his recognition of the man Judkins at the present stage of proceedings, since he was certain to be committed, and it seemed desirable that Witham should not be aware how he stood.

We were now conducted to the dining-room, a handsome apartment adjoining the library. Seats were ranged for us near a window. Mr.

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