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Article Jasper's Folly. ← Page 4 of 11 Article Jasper's Folly. Page 4 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Jasper's Folly.
" this deed would not have taken place as I should havo been here before ten and in all probability should have stayed all nig ht . ^ Poor Mortimer , you deserved a better fate ! Peace to thy memory ! " " What is to be done , sir Y " anxiously asked the man .
" Yon must , as a matter of form , go for the nearest doctor , altoiigh your master is past all mortal aid . Also , bring hither a magistrate and the village constable . Everything in the room must remain as ifc is till they arrive . I will stay here with the body till
you return . By this time thc fair morning was advancing and gaily the birds were singing . Through the open casement thc sweet air laden with the perfume of flowers stole softly in . The rays of the bright sun gradually shone into the room and p layed about the dead man ' s face .
Without the doors was smiling life in all its varied forms and revelling in joyotisncss . Within was frowning death solemn and still . There in ceild ' oblivion lay the late envied lord of many acres with sightless orbs upturned . Strange to relate the eyes were fixed upon
the portrait of the wife he had loved so well and grieved for so long . His constant thoughts waking and sleeping were centred in her . Alas ! hc had gone " to the " great unknown" with hopes frustrated—His yearning desire fo sec her if alive or if dead to mourn her loss was for ever ungratified .
CHAPTER II . It was not long ere the village doctor , a justice and a constable appeared on the scene . The medico ' s examination of the body was speedily accomplished . " Poor Mortimer , " he murmured , " what an awful cud was thine . One of the kindest hearted men who ever lived . What could have prompted th y murderer to do this foul
deed . " The strancer then said : " Perhaps , robbery was the cause . The housebreaker may have been caught in thc act of purloining by Mr . Mortimer , may have been known to him , a struggle ensued , and , to •prevent capture or subsequent detection , the wretch murdered my
poor friend . " "That may be so , " remarked the doctor . " Jonson , " he added , addressing the valet , who still seemed greatly agitated , " is anything of value missing from this room Y "
"Not that I am aware of , sir , said the man . " lhe Squire kept some valuable old miniatures , snuff boxes and watches , which were heirlooms in this cabinet , but the locks have not been tampered with . Those large candlesticks on the mantel piece are silver gilt and should have-tem p ted a thief . " Bryant , the village constable , then spoke : "Mr . Jonson , is the key of the cabinet amongst those on that bunch yonder' - ' "
" Yes , Mr . Bryant , " was the reply , " the Squire always kept all his private keys together . " Thc constable then proceeded to try which key fitted the locks of Ihe cabinet , and , having attained his object hc opened the drawers and there found a collection of curios
and objects of personal use and adornment as described by the valet . " This disposes , I think , " he said , ' * of the theory of robbery . I thou » 'hfcat first that after the crime the murderer might have opened the drawers , secured the valuables , and I ' or some reason of his own have re-locked the cabinet . "
"My theory is , " remarked the doctor , "that the murderer , terrorstricken at the dire result of his crime , lied without stopping to secure
any booty . ' "Or hc may have been disturbed ere he had time to overhaul thc contents of the room , " broke in the stranger , " and , fearful of discovery , have lied . " "He could not have been disturbed , gentlemen , " respectfully suggested the valet . ' * I was the hist of the household to go to bed , and not one of us arose till hall-past live this morning . No one was distiubed during the night . "
" Doctor Daley , how long , think you , has Mr . Mortimer been dead Y " asked the just ie-e , who had been au attentive listener . " Between six und seven hours , " was flic decisive reply . " Jonson , was the casement open as it now is when you discovered the body Y " queried the justice . ' * Yes , sir , nothing iu the room has been interfered with . This gentleman , " indicating the stranger , ' •called at six this morning to
see thc Squire . I went upstairs to master ' s bedroom and knocked several times at the door . Receiving no reply , 1 opened the door , which 1 may ti'll you was the' custom of the Squire never to lock . I saw that tlie bed had not been slept in . That eliel not alarm inc . because the Squire has many times sat up all night in the library readme' anil wriling . He would , perhaps , on those occasions snatch
a few hours' sleep iu the middle of the day . I may also tell you , "entlonien . that I ' or some mouths past he h .-e * been very strange in his milliner . ' have several times ventured fo ask him to consult Doctor Daley as to his health , but he only 1 rented my concern with indifference . " I at once procei'ded to the library , and I found everything in confusion , as you now sec it . " " Now , Bryant . '' saiel the : justice , '' e-xhihit your skill . "
The constable went to the casement and pointed out flic marks of muddy boots on the long curtains . He tlie-n went out on the terrace ami elesceiieleel the steps . His companions curiousl y followed him . Pointing to the path , he said : ' * Gentlemen , there are the footprints of the murderer , who entered and left the room by the casement . " Stooping down , he carefully examined the marks . 'The murderer was wearing heavy hob-nailed boots , and jiielging
Jasper's Folly.
by the size and tread of the impressions , I should say that hc was a big and powerful man . " Proceeding down the path he carefull y followed the track , but as the path grew harder the footprints became fainter and fainter , till they finally disappeared . '' Gentlemen , " said he , with a shrug of disappointment , "the heavy rainfall has washed all further traces away . "
" ^ T' ? f ^ ' ^ * Mortimer a strict preserver of game on his estate Y " asked the stranger curiously . " My object in enquiring is that perhaps he may have dealt harshly with poachers , and thus have incurred the enmit y of one of the gang . " "No , sir , " said Mr . Courtley , the justice , "our poor friend was far too easy with that class . He ' never ' was harsh , nor would he allow
the keepers to be . Sometimes when the fellows have been caught red-handed , he , being in the Commission of the Peace , managed to prevail upon our Bench . to let them off with easy sentences . He was such a dear fellow that , to oblige him , our sentences were very light . He was very good-natured , and was constantl y sending parcels of game to his tenantry , both well-to-do and poor . I don't believe that
he had an enemy in the village or surrounding country ; he was belovcel by all . Ifc will be a time of general sorrow when the people hear of this ni ght ' s sad work . In the winter he would visit thc poor and sick , and send them money and necessaries . When a poor tenant died he would defray the costs of the funeral and look after . those that he or she bad left penniless behind . "
"Mr . Courtley speaks trul y , " said the doctor . "Many times has the late Squire called upon me and directed mc to do my best to preserve life or to alleviate thc sufferings of his poor tenantry , and my services were always liberally recognised . " Having token careful note ol everything in the roomthe position
, of the body , and the disarrangement of the furniture , the constable picked up a table-cover that was l ying on the floor , and thereby brought to li ght a manuscri pt which m the death struggle had probabl y been knocked off the open desk . He , with a bow , handed it to the justice , who read aloud •—
'A sad page in the life of Ramil ph Mortimer . " Struck with the title of the MS . thc speaker turned to his companions and said : "For the present I will take possession of this document , Doctor . I presume that no post-mortem will be necessary Y "
"I presume not , " replied the other ; "that is to say , unless the coroner orders one . Mr . Mortimer died of strangulation , but uot b y his own hand . The disordered condition of the room , the mudd y footprints on the curtains and terrace point conclusivel y to my mind that hc was attacked suddenl y , rendered first unconscious , and then strangled with his own neck-cloth . "
" Have you not read or heard of cases where suicides have cunningly so arranged matters as to mystif y thc law as to whether they died by their own hands or by those of an assassin Y " queried the stranger . "I have , " said the doctor , sharply , for he felt hurt that his professional opinion had been questioned , "but this case presents no
such phase . " He then went on : * ' My idea is that the deceased was sitting at the open desk reading or about to read the manuscript just discovered ; he heard a rustling in tho curtains , arose to ascertain the cause , and was at once attacked b y some powerful assailant , who rendered his victim insensible and then strangled him . I admit that it is possible for a determined man to commit suicide b y strangulation—especiall y if hc were mad or on the
borderland of insanity , when insensibility or a disregard to pain is a common characteristic ; but he woulel not be able to do so with onc hand . " " Ono hand Y " echoed the stranger . "Yes , by one hand , " firmly returned thc doctor , and regarding the other strangely . " Do you not see that thc corded bell-pull is tightly grasped in his ri ght hand Y " "jonson , " interrupted the justice , " where does the bell communication end Y "
* ' In the corridor , sir , adjoining the servants' rooms . " * ' Are the wires of the bell in good order Y " was the next query . " Oh , yes , sir : at least they werc so last night , " answered the
valet . "It is very strange , " remarked Mr . Courtley , musingly , "that no onu was aroused by its riiiiriiur . " i - * t . no " If is possible , ' * interposed the doctor , ' •that when with the last effort of life lhe deceased pulled thc bell a crash of thunder might have taken place at lhat moment and thus have deadened the sound of its ringing . "
I'he constable , without saying a word and tn tho surprise of thc others , unceremoniousl y left the room . Only a few seconds elapsed ere he returned .
•' Gentlemen , " he quietly said , "no cause for wonder ; thc wires have been cut . " "The murderer must have gained access to ( he house other than by the French casement , " remarked the justice , " anil have severed the wires as a precautionary measure . "
"lie could lieit have entered by any either way , unless he was concealed on the premises before I rcfii-ed , " said ( ho valet quickly . "The windows were all fastened by me us early us nine o ' clock . The Squire always deputed me to see to all the l ' asteniii < 's iu thc
house except those in this room . He was par / ial to walkiii" * about Ihe grounds al all hours , and this is the onl y apartment iu the Hall that opens directly on ihe gardens . " " H hen you came down in the morning on those occasions when your master hail not retired before dismissing you for the nhdit , did
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Jasper's Folly.
" this deed would not have taken place as I should havo been here before ten and in all probability should have stayed all nig ht . ^ Poor Mortimer , you deserved a better fate ! Peace to thy memory ! " " What is to be done , sir Y " anxiously asked the man .
" Yon must , as a matter of form , go for the nearest doctor , altoiigh your master is past all mortal aid . Also , bring hither a magistrate and the village constable . Everything in the room must remain as ifc is till they arrive . I will stay here with the body till
you return . By this time thc fair morning was advancing and gaily the birds were singing . Through the open casement thc sweet air laden with the perfume of flowers stole softly in . The rays of the bright sun gradually shone into the room and p layed about the dead man ' s face .
Without the doors was smiling life in all its varied forms and revelling in joyotisncss . Within was frowning death solemn and still . There in ceild ' oblivion lay the late envied lord of many acres with sightless orbs upturned . Strange to relate the eyes were fixed upon
the portrait of the wife he had loved so well and grieved for so long . His constant thoughts waking and sleeping were centred in her . Alas ! hc had gone " to the " great unknown" with hopes frustrated—His yearning desire fo sec her if alive or if dead to mourn her loss was for ever ungratified .
CHAPTER II . It was not long ere the village doctor , a justice and a constable appeared on the scene . The medico ' s examination of the body was speedily accomplished . " Poor Mortimer , " he murmured , " what an awful cud was thine . One of the kindest hearted men who ever lived . What could have prompted th y murderer to do this foul
deed . " The strancer then said : " Perhaps , robbery was the cause . The housebreaker may have been caught in thc act of purloining by Mr . Mortimer , may have been known to him , a struggle ensued , and , to •prevent capture or subsequent detection , the wretch murdered my
poor friend . " "That may be so , " remarked the doctor . " Jonson , " he added , addressing the valet , who still seemed greatly agitated , " is anything of value missing from this room Y "
"Not that I am aware of , sir , said the man . " lhe Squire kept some valuable old miniatures , snuff boxes and watches , which were heirlooms in this cabinet , but the locks have not been tampered with . Those large candlesticks on the mantel piece are silver gilt and should have-tem p ted a thief . " Bryant , the village constable , then spoke : "Mr . Jonson , is the key of the cabinet amongst those on that bunch yonder' - ' "
" Yes , Mr . Bryant , " was the reply , " the Squire always kept all his private keys together . " Thc constable then proceeded to try which key fitted the locks of Ihe cabinet , and , having attained his object hc opened the drawers and there found a collection of curios
and objects of personal use and adornment as described by the valet . " This disposes , I think , " he said , ' * of the theory of robbery . I thou » 'hfcat first that after the crime the murderer might have opened the drawers , secured the valuables , and I ' or some reason of his own have re-locked the cabinet . "
"My theory is , " remarked the doctor , "that the murderer , terrorstricken at the dire result of his crime , lied without stopping to secure
any booty . ' "Or hc may have been disturbed ere he had time to overhaul thc contents of the room , " broke in the stranger , " and , fearful of discovery , have lied . " "He could not have been disturbed , gentlemen , " respectfully suggested the valet . ' * I was the hist of the household to go to bed , and not one of us arose till hall-past live this morning . No one was distiubed during the night . "
" Doctor Daley , how long , think you , has Mr . Mortimer been dead Y " asked the just ie-e , who had been au attentive listener . " Between six und seven hours , " was flic decisive reply . " Jonson , was the casement open as it now is when you discovered the body Y " queried the justice . ' * Yes , sir , nothing iu the room has been interfered with . This gentleman , " indicating the stranger , ' •called at six this morning to
see thc Squire . I went upstairs to master ' s bedroom and knocked several times at the door . Receiving no reply , 1 opened the door , which 1 may ti'll you was the' custom of the Squire never to lock . I saw that tlie bed had not been slept in . That eliel not alarm inc . because the Squire has many times sat up all night in the library readme' anil wriling . He would , perhaps , on those occasions snatch
a few hours' sleep iu the middle of the day . I may also tell you , "entlonien . that I ' or some mouths past he h .-e * been very strange in his milliner . ' have several times ventured fo ask him to consult Doctor Daley as to his health , but he only 1 rented my concern with indifference . " I at once procei'ded to the library , and I found everything in confusion , as you now sec it . " " Now , Bryant . '' saiel the : justice , '' e-xhihit your skill . "
The constable went to the casement and pointed out flic marks of muddy boots on the long curtains . He tlie-n went out on the terrace ami elesceiieleel the steps . His companions curiousl y followed him . Pointing to the path , he said : ' * Gentlemen , there are the footprints of the murderer , who entered and left the room by the casement . " Stooping down , he carefully examined the marks . 'The murderer was wearing heavy hob-nailed boots , and jiielging
Jasper's Folly.
by the size and tread of the impressions , I should say that hc was a big and powerful man . " Proceeding down the path he carefull y followed the track , but as the path grew harder the footprints became fainter and fainter , till they finally disappeared . '' Gentlemen , " said he , with a shrug of disappointment , "the heavy rainfall has washed all further traces away . "
" ^ T' ? f ^ ' ^ * Mortimer a strict preserver of game on his estate Y " asked the stranger curiously . " My object in enquiring is that perhaps he may have dealt harshly with poachers , and thus have incurred the enmit y of one of the gang . " "No , sir , " said Mr . Courtley , the justice , "our poor friend was far too easy with that class . He ' never ' was harsh , nor would he allow
the keepers to be . Sometimes when the fellows have been caught red-handed , he , being in the Commission of the Peace , managed to prevail upon our Bench . to let them off with easy sentences . He was such a dear fellow that , to oblige him , our sentences were very light . He was very good-natured , and was constantl y sending parcels of game to his tenantry , both well-to-do and poor . I don't believe that
he had an enemy in the village or surrounding country ; he was belovcel by all . Ifc will be a time of general sorrow when the people hear of this ni ght ' s sad work . In the winter he would visit thc poor and sick , and send them money and necessaries . When a poor tenant died he would defray the costs of the funeral and look after . those that he or she bad left penniless behind . "
"Mr . Courtley speaks trul y , " said the doctor . "Many times has the late Squire called upon me and directed mc to do my best to preserve life or to alleviate thc sufferings of his poor tenantry , and my services were always liberally recognised . " Having token careful note ol everything in the roomthe position
, of the body , and the disarrangement of the furniture , the constable picked up a table-cover that was l ying on the floor , and thereby brought to li ght a manuscri pt which m the death struggle had probabl y been knocked off the open desk . He , with a bow , handed it to the justice , who read aloud •—
'A sad page in the life of Ramil ph Mortimer . " Struck with the title of the MS . thc speaker turned to his companions and said : "For the present I will take possession of this document , Doctor . I presume that no post-mortem will be necessary Y "
"I presume not , " replied the other ; "that is to say , unless the coroner orders one . Mr . Mortimer died of strangulation , but uot b y his own hand . The disordered condition of the room , the mudd y footprints on the curtains and terrace point conclusivel y to my mind that hc was attacked suddenl y , rendered first unconscious , and then strangled with his own neck-cloth . "
" Have you not read or heard of cases where suicides have cunningly so arranged matters as to mystif y thc law as to whether they died by their own hands or by those of an assassin Y " queried the stranger . "I have , " said the doctor , sharply , for he felt hurt that his professional opinion had been questioned , "but this case presents no
such phase . " He then went on : * ' My idea is that the deceased was sitting at the open desk reading or about to read the manuscript just discovered ; he heard a rustling in tho curtains , arose to ascertain the cause , and was at once attacked b y some powerful assailant , who rendered his victim insensible and then strangled him . I admit that it is possible for a determined man to commit suicide b y strangulation—especiall y if hc were mad or on the
borderland of insanity , when insensibility or a disregard to pain is a common characteristic ; but he woulel not be able to do so with onc hand . " " Ono hand Y " echoed the stranger . "Yes , by one hand , " firmly returned thc doctor , and regarding the other strangely . " Do you not see that thc corded bell-pull is tightly grasped in his ri ght hand Y " "jonson , " interrupted the justice , " where does the bell communication end Y "
* ' In the corridor , sir , adjoining the servants' rooms . " * ' Are the wires of the bell in good order Y " was the next query . " Oh , yes , sir : at least they werc so last night , " answered the
valet . "It is very strange , " remarked Mr . Courtley , musingly , "that no onu was aroused by its riiiiriiur . " i - * t . no " If is possible , ' * interposed the doctor , ' •that when with the last effort of life lhe deceased pulled thc bell a crash of thunder might have taken place at lhat moment and thus have deadened the sound of its ringing . "
I'he constable , without saying a word and tn tho surprise of thc others , unceremoniousl y left the room . Only a few seconds elapsed ere he returned .
•' Gentlemen , " he quietly said , "no cause for wonder ; thc wires have been cut . " "The murderer must have gained access to ( he house other than by the French casement , " remarked the justice , " anil have severed the wires as a precautionary measure . "
"lie could lieit have entered by any either way , unless he was concealed on the premises before I rcfii-ed , " said ( ho valet quickly . "The windows were all fastened by me us early us nine o ' clock . The Squire always deputed me to see to all the l ' asteniii < 's iu thc
house except those in this room . He was par / ial to walkiii" * about Ihe grounds al all hours , and this is the onl y apartment iu the Hall that opens directly on ihe gardens . " " H hen you came down in the morning on those occasions when your master hail not retired before dismissing you for the nhdit , did