United States or Lebanon ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Did you, or did you not, meet Mr. John Dwerrihouse at Blackwater station? The charge brought against you is either true or false. If true, you will do well to throw yourself upon the mercy of the board, and make full confession of all that you know." The under-secretary wrung his hands in an agony of helpless terror. "I was away," he cried. "I was two hundred miles away at the time!
"I am travelling upon business, rather troublesome business, too, whilst you, doubtless, have only pleasure in view." "Just so. I am in the habit of looking forward to this visit as to the brightest three weeks in all the year." "It is a pleasant house," said Mr. Dwerrihouse. "The pleasantest I know." "And Jelf is thoroughly hospitable." "The best and kindest fellow in the world!"
He was there such a moment, and the surprise of seeing him was so great and sudden, that it was not till the door had closed upon him that I found voice to speak. He was no sooner gone, however, than I sprang to my feet. "That person," I said, "is the same who met Mr. Dwerrihouse upon the platform at Blackwater!" There was a general movement of surprise.
I shall get a conveyance from the 'Blackwater Arms. And you?" "O, Jelf sends a trap to meet me at Clayborough! Can I be the bearer of any message from you?" "You may say, if you please, Mr. Langford, that I wished I could have been your companion all the way, and that I will come over, if possible, before Christmas." "Nothing more?" Mr. Dwerrihouse smiled grimly.
John Dwerrihouse had embezzled seventy-five thousand pounds of the company's money, yet told me that he carried that sum upon his person. Were ever facts so strangely incongruous, so difficult to reconcile? How should he have ventured again into the light of day? How dared he show himself along the line? Above all, what had he been doing throughout those mysterious three months of disappearance?
"Just a minute and a half, sir," replied the guard. "You must be quick." I dashed along the platform as fast as my feet could carry me. It was a large station, and Mr. Dwerrihouse had by this time got more than half-way to the farther end. I, however, saw him distinctly, moving slowly with the stream.
Dwerrihouse leave the station in this person's company?" "I cannot tell. I saw them walking together down the platform, and then I saw them standing inside under a gas-jet, talking earnestly. After that I lost sight of them quite suddenly, and just then my train went on, and I with it." The chairman and secretary conferred together in an undertone. The directors whispered to one another.
He had glanced at me as he came in, but without any gleam of recognition in his face. Now he glanced again, as I fancied, somewhat doubtfully. When he did so for the third or fourth time, I ventured to address him. "Mr. John Dwerrihouse, I think?" "That is my name," he replied. "I had the pleasure of meeting you at Dumbleton about three years ago." Mr. Dwerrihouse bowed.
I explained that I had been for some months away from England, and had therefore heard nothing of the contemplated improvement. Mr. Dwerrihouse smiled complacently. "It will be an improvement," he said; "a great improvement. Stockbridge is a flourishing town, and needs but a more direct railway communication with the metropolis to become an important centre of commerce.
"Just a minute and a half, sir," replied the guard. "You must be quick." I dashed along the platform as fast as my feet could carry me. It was a large station, and Mr. Dwerrihouse had by this time got more than half-way to the farther end. I, however, saw him distinctly, moving slowly with the stream.
Word Of The Day