The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 56: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

| ee heel ind om: «nein NaekrelLe aes and eee oh 4 ee, wpe ie eet A ae RT a EE ep lr pra VOSS RRA epee paps rear eq etesni am Asem yan he THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. eyes—foully murdered. A dagger, with which the deed was accomplighed, remained between the shoulders, where it had been driven deep down. The untortunate nobleman lay upon his face on the ecge of the pond, into the etagnant water of which { one of his arms hung down. For a few moments the butler and Leachley were #0 horrified at this frightful spectacle, that ethey were riveted in powerlessness to the spot: but recovering their self-possession after a brief interval, they raleed the corpse. Life was extinct: the Duke's countenance was cold as marble: he had evidently been several hours dead. “Alas, he is no more!” murmured Leachley, tears otarting from his eyes. “No engre!’ added the butler seclemnly: and they gently laid the corpse down again. And now followad a mout affecting ecene. The faithful dog had seemed to watch the countenanocs of the two men, while they raised and sustained the corpse between themm,—as if the animal itself entertained some instinctive hope that they might be enabled to recall their master to life. But when their looka told the worst, and those brief sentences were exchanged, Pluto gave one long, low, whining moan—a subdued lugubrious death,bow! —and sank down dead by the side of the corpse. This incident called forth fresh tears from the eyes of the two domestica, In a few minutesa— after having surveyed the scene in mournful silence —Leachley drew forth the devger, and wrapped it up in his pockotthandkerchief. Scarcely was this done, when the quick tramplings of a galloping horse reached their ears; and in a few moments Lord Clandon was upon the spot. “Good heavens!” he exclaimed, throwing him- self from the horse, and sinking upon his knees by the side of the corpse: “my poor uncle! What fatal accident-———” ““Murder, my lord!” said the butler,—“ a foul and diabelical murder.” “ Murder!” echoed Clandon, starting up with horror depicted on his countenance. “ But I be- hold no wound!”’—for the corpse was now lying on ite back. “‘ Here, my lord,” said Leachley, “ie the fatal | sin weapon :’—and he produced the dagger from his kerchief. “ Bertram’s!” eried Clandon, the instant his looxs fell upon it. “Mr. Bertram’s?” ejaculated both of the do- mestics, with a simultaneous start of indescribable horror. . “Did I say Bertram's?” exclaimed Clandon. **No, no—I recall the word Not for worlds would I impute——-No, no—I did not say Ber- tram's!” . The two domestica exchanged looks of continued horror, bit now blended with dismay and grief: for they both felt that Lord Clandon, having in the suddenness of agonized amazement let drop hie brother’s name in connexion with the dagger, was nOw generously eceking to recall the word, so ae to save that brother from the dread imputation and its consequences. “T will ride baek to the house,” said his lord- ship, “and prgcure assiatance. But no—I should fall from the steed—I have not strength——Go, ene of you! It is my duty to remsin here, and watch over the corpse of my poor uncle.” Dy apldalits mena afta , Lm ood et, F = Et A ( ., 48 Leachley, the deceased nobleman's-valet agourd- ingly mounted the horse, and sped bank: to the mansion. Most of the male domestica wate abroad, arching for their master and mistress + Wat qeand ew, who had overslept themselves, were still ms the house; and of course all the fumale seit were there. The intelligence which * & a brought, was but too well calculated to overwhola | all who heard it with consternation and. grie. A carriage was speedily gotten in readiness; and. Leachley accompanied it back to the spot, where Lord Clandon snd the butler had remained in charge of the corpse. This was now placed ‘naide the vehicle, which returned at a mourning pace with its sad burthen to the mansion. It was nod | till the lapse of some hours that the domestics who had been on the search—including Travers, Lord Clandon’s valet—came back to the mansion 3 and as they returned one by one, it was to hear the afflicting intelligence of the Duke's murder | We should not omit to observe that the remains of poor Pluto were likewise taken to the mansion; and when a veterinary surgeon had examined inte the exact uature of the wound of which the faith. ful anime! had died, the body was buried in the garden, in the midst of « parterre of flowers. On the following day the Oounty Ooroner ar. rived at Oaklands, to hold an inquest over the corpse of the deceased Duke. A jury, consisting of tenant-farmera and of the principal house- holders of the village, was summoned for the ove casion. The butler and Leachley deposed to the discovery of the corpse by the side of the pond. The dagger was produced; and Leachley,——being ® conscientious man, and determined to do his duty, no matter at what sacrifice of his own feel- ings and those of others,—mentioned the cireum- atance of Lord Clandon’s ejaculation of his brother’s name the instant the fatal weapon met his eyes. The story in respect te the Duchess and Bertram had already got wind throughout the entire district: and thus the Coroner and Jury, in their own minds, naturally beheld in those in- cidents enough to strengthen the suspicion that the Duke's younger nephew was indeed the assss- I rd Clandon—or, as we ought now proper! to style bim, the Duke of Marchmont; for su indeed had his uncle's death made him--was ‘com- pelled to appear befure the Coroner. He entered the room where the inquest was held, with a d sadness upon his countenance; and for the first few minutea his sobs were plainly audible. The Coroner expressed for himeclf and the Jury the grief which was experienced at enforcing bis Grace's attendance under such di ing circum stances: but they intimated that they had a duty to perform, and that i¢ must be accomplished. The oath being administered to the now Duke of Marchmont the Oornner said, “I am about to put a question which, however painful it may be, your Grace is bound to answer on the sanctity of the oath you have just taken. Does your Grace know to whom this weapon belongs P” “Am I indeed bound to answer such a ques- tion ?” inquired Hugh; and he appeared to speak with the greatest difficulty, so that all present compasasionated his afflicting position. “Your Grace must answer,” said the Coro- (C NOG SS