The Halfpenny Surprise, Vol. I, No. 20 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

8 THE HALFPENNY SURPRISE. “% fear so; but the doctor will soon be here and give his verdict. I believe the fright, more than the laudanum, killed him.” By dint of artful cajolery he got the baronet to go to another room and to leave him to explain matters to the doctor when he came. There was a faint, disagree- able odour of chloral in the room, that anybody acquainted with the drug would detect in an instant. He recollected that he had thrown a quantity into the vase overnight. Quick as thought he removed and rinsed it thoroughly, but did not put it back in its place. Then he opened both windows wide to purify the atmosphere of the room before the doctor arrived. Standing over the body of Robert Greene, he said, huskily: “It was a sudden temptation, nephew Bob, that caused me to cut short your young life. With “LOOK, THERE IT IS,” FLINTER CRIED. ou out of the way, I will again tempt your father to eave England for Africa to visit my bogus diamond field. “ Once there he will fall another victim to the River of Death. I will succeed to his title and wealth, settle down, forsake all my old evil ways, and enjoy life to my heart’s content.” “Beware of the River of Death,” said a sepulchral voice. Turning swiftly round he saw a ghastly face, that of Charles Holmes, he thought, framed in a portion of the wall, He was held spell-bound with horror, unable to move, to speak, scarcely to breathe, in the presence of this spectral face seen in the broad light of day. knock at the door aroused him from his stupor of fear, and when he looked for the face it had vanished. Part IV, of the “Halfpenny Surprise,” con “What is the matter?” asked the doctor, when Flinter, who shivered and shook like an aspen, admitted him and closed the door. ‘ Who’s ill, is it you?” “*No—o,” he stammered out, “I’m all right, but feel my nerves shaken a bit. It is not a case of illness, but of death, I regret to tell you.” “Who's death; not the baronet’s, surely ? ” “Come and see for yourself,” he replied, leading the way to the bed, and casting fearful glances in the direc- tion of the spot where that haunting face had appeared, but was no longer to be seen. “It’s young Robert,” the doctor remarked, starting back aghast. “Yes, my poor nephew Robert; it is the result of fright,” observed Flinter. Having recovered from the shock of seeing Robert Greene lying there in death, apparently, he proceeded to feel for a pulse, and examined the pupil of the left eye. In bending over the face fe smelt the unmistakable odour of chloral, and turn- ing to Flinter said sharply, “How’s this? You told me he died from fright, and I detect the presence of a deadly poison—chloral.” “Where is the baronet? I must see him at once, and have this matter cleared up satis- factorily.” “He is quite prostrate, I assure you. Is my poor nephew dead ?” “Yes,” was the curt reply. “Who gave him chloral P ” “His father, to quiet him after a prolonged fit - screaming hysterics, brought on through 4 fright.” Pi ht! of what nature P ” asked the doctor, dubiously. “I have known the lad ever since his babyhood, and don’t think he could easily be frightened.” “ He saw a ghost.” “Nonsense; there are no such things. Are you inventing this clumsy story to throw me off the true scentP It seems to me either a case of murder or suicide!” “You are scarcely complimentary, Doctor Merton,” retorted Flinter. ‘‘The clumsy story, as you designate it, is true. Isaw the apparition; so did Sir Percival. Ask him when you see him; and, what's more, I saw it again only a few minutes ago in this very room.” “You expect me to believe that? Pooh! Nonsense! You thought you saw a spectre. I wish it would appear to me. I’d soon prove to you that is was nothing more or less than a trick of the imagination.” Scarcely had he spoken when Flinter gripped his arm and said in a hoarse whisper, “ Look! there it is! Now are you satisfied?” There was that ghastly face again, but this time no word escaped from those pallid lips. Doctor Merton, the sceptic, was more than satisfied, and with a scream of horror, fairly bolted from the room, followed by Flinter; in fact, both jostled each other at the door to be the first to get through, followed by mocking, unearthly laughter. The baronet, who was in a room at the opposite side of the corridor, heard the commotion, and met them at his door. “Come in here,” he said, hurriedly, on seeing their blanched faces, an invitation they availed themselves of with alacrity. “What of my poor boy?” asked Sir Percival, brokenly. “T—I—was not thinking of him,” said the doctor, casting nervous glances behind him, “but of that spectre. You saw it, too, I’m told, Sir Percival. Did you recognise the face of your step-son, who perished abroad P” four Numbers and a large Coloured Plate, tainin has again been renvrinted to meet the demand. Price Twopence only. comiclooks.corn