Jasper's Folly.

you find the windows of this room securely fastened Y asked Mr . Courtley . "Without exception , sir , " was the firm reply . "The Squire hael many valuable things under lock auel key in this room , besides those objects of jewellery that you have seen . The inner folding doors are very strong . I will show . them to you . "

Thereupon the speaker went to the casement and , drawing back tho curtains , disclosed folding doors faced with iron plates and knobs .

" When those inner doors arc closed a strong iron bar is drawn across , " he Added . The justice , addressing the stranger and the doctor , then saiel : " Gentlemen , it is conclusive to my mind that robbery was not the object of the man who committed the crime . It is also obvious . I think , that the deed was carefully planned . The lateness of the

hour chosen , when the household had retired , the cutting of the bell wires , the concealment of fhe murderer within the curtains , are evidences that the crime was premeditated . As it happened the storm was in his favour , a . s no onc would be abroad under such conditions . Bryant , you will at once communicate with the coroner , and take his instructions as to the date for holding the inquest . Yon

will tell him that Doctor Daley thinks that no autopsy is necessary , as the cause of death i . s so apparent . Jonson , you will see to everything in connection with the decent preparation of the body for the inspection of the ' quest . However , the remains must not be removed from this room until after the inquest , nor must any article of i ' nrnitnre be touched . I shall lock all thc drawers and affix my seal to them . "

" Are the windows to bo closed , sir Y ' asked the valet . '' No 1 " was the answer . " You must also warn the servants nofc on any account to tread the path leading to the terrace . The impressions of the footprints must be shown to the jury , and measurements carefull y taken . Bryant , you will attend to this important matter . Many crimes have been cleared up by slender threads . "

" Yes , sir , " and the constable bowed . The justice then proceeded to lock the drawers of the desk . As he diel so his observant eye saw the poem eif "Jasper ' s Folly . " He picked it up , and glanced rapidly over it . " Very strange ; very weird , " he murmured . Having dismissed the constable and the valet to their respective duties , he turned to Doctor Daley and the stranger , and said :

" Gentlemen , we will leave this sad scene of horror , and with yonr indulgence I should like to read to you the manuscript and the poem which I have in my hand . You will be good enough , also , to witness that I have placed my seal on the desk and the cabinet . " With groat formality he lit a small taper , and , taking a stick of sealing-wax , he carefully and effectually sealed with his signet ring

thc locked articles of furniture . Then with ceremonious politeness he conducted his companions to the drawing-room which , by the brig htness of its surroundings and the formal arrangement of its furniture , presented a marked con rast to the gloom and disorder of the apartment that they had left . With a bow he bade them to be seated .

"I have not the pleasure , sir , of knowing your name , " said he , addressing the stranger . " My name is Hugh Alelboroiigh , " returned the other . '' Here is my card . I have to apologise for not having given it to you earlier . I am an old friend of the late Mr . Mortimer ' s . His death has quite unnerved me . 1 hael an appointment with him last night , but the

severity of the storm deterred me from riding over till this morning . My business was urgent , and , thinking that hc would be anxious to see me , 1 came over at an early hour this morning . My only regret is that J did not brave the slorm last night . in all probability , had I have done so , my poor friend would have been preserved from the dreadful fate that overtook him . "

" My object , " saiel the justice , " in asking you to remain after I had dismissed the constable and poor Mortimer ' s man was not only to read te > you the lines I found in the open drawer and the dead man ' s manuscript , but to discuss the matter with you . " His listeners having expressed their acquiescence , he first read to them the ballad of " Jasper ' s Folly . "

" A strange coincidence , ' reiuiirkeil the doctor . "Iii these dull , sceptical times last night ' s actual incidents savour of the lomantic anil credulous days of the early Stuart period . I was not aware of the existence of those lines , but the tradition in connection with the tower and Dame Joan ' s prod id ion are Ihc common gossip of all the old crones of the village , and have been since the lady wus in the flesh . Her strange' practices were well known , and it is recorded

that had she not have lost her life by lire whilst dabbling in alchemy and chemistry—which experiments in her lime were looked upon by the ignorant wilh awe and suspicion — she would have ultimatel y have been sought ' out hy the witch-finders of the FirM James and , as a suspect , would prohaMy have been brought to thc stake . In those funatie-al days the- law with ivgurd to wili-he-rall . and the stud y ed * tin- occult was no respecter of persons , as -flier annals of wild Lancashire in particular piove . '

" 1 quite agree with you , doctor , " said . Alilliuiviugh , ' * as to the' coincidence altending the fall of thu lower and the de-ath of my poor friend . Ol * course we have no evidence that the building was destroyed before the murder and in all probability . shall never know , but there is no denying the fact tbat both events took place within a very short time of each other . Jonson , the valet , has lold Us that he left his master at nine o ' clock , who li'iive him orders to

Jasper's Folly.

sit up till ten . He did so , and according to his account went to bed and was soon asleep . At that time the storm was gathering and the tower intact . " " f can fix the actual time when the tower was struck , " interposed the justice . " My house stands on a hill about a mile from here . Soon after eleven o ' clock I was about to retire when the vivid

lightning attracted me to the window of my smoking room , which commanded a view of the tower . I gazed with interest on the scene . Presently a most brilliant Hash of lightning illumined the vicinity of Mortimer Hall , the tower being plainly visible . This flash was almost immediately followed by a meteor or thunderbolt , which appeared to fall directly on the tower . Then was heard the mosfc

awful peal of thunder I ever remember . I was prompted , I know not why , to look afc my repeater which immediatel y chimed the two quarters after eleven o ' clock . Doctor Daley saw the body at halfpast six this morning and gave it as his professional opinion that our unfortunate friend had been dead between six and seven hours ,

I therefore assume that the crime was committed between half past eleven o ' clock and midnight . That being so thc Dame ' s prediction of evil— ' To thc Mortimer race and stately Hall . If by tempests power on human will Black ruin shonld rive the gray tower tall ' was verified . "

'" What immediate steps do you intend to take to elucidate the mystery attending the crime Y" asked Aldborongh . "Do you propose placing yourself in communication with the authorities in London for professional assistance or will you leave it in the hands of the County Officials Y "

llis companions having . . . Mr . Courtley , in a clear ami impressive voice , proe-eeileil lo iliscliui' -j-c his sell ' -imposeil task . * ' 1 cannot say at present , " replied the justice , who was Chairman of the Bench . " We must wait till the inquest is held . No iirrest having been made , no preliminary enquiry is necessary .

In the meantime Bryant , who is an old pensioned Bowstrcct ' Runner . ' will , under 1113 * directions , quietly make enquiries and follow up any clue that ho may obtain . I have great faith in his discrimination and skill . You saw this morning how he pointed out the footprints on the path , and was the first to think of

examining the bell wires . Hc would have made a fortune as a prairie scout , as he possesses nil the cunning and gifts of a Heel Indian . I will now , with your permission , read poor Mortimer ' s manuscript . " His companions having given their assent , Mr . Courtley , in a clear and impressive voice , proceeded to discharge his self-imposed task .

CHAPTER III . ** A SAIP iwnK ix-nn-: ui- 'K or liAxi'i . rii Moirruii-ai . " "In the'midst of trouble ami with a mind almost unhinged by the results of two calamities , I sit down to pen these lines . I have a feeling or presentiment that my stay in this beautiful world will not

lie ; prolnictcd , aud I feel that it will be a relief to my distracted mind if J unbosom myself in fhe brief pages of this manuscrip t . A poor solace perhaps , but if the mystery lhat . enshrouds the disappearance of my dear wife be not cleared up before my death , thu story in the latter eventuality may interest those who will have