The Halfpenny Surprise, Vol. I, No. 20 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER “ Yes, only too well. To its appearance I attribute the sad end of my son, my only child.” “Ts Robert past all human help, doctor?” nothing be done for him ? ” “ Absolutely nothing, Sir Percival. I don’t wonder at his having died of fright.” “ There needn’t be an inquest, doctor, need there?” asked the baronet, eagerly. “Did you administer chloral to him?” asked Doctor Merton, eyeing him keenly. “Yes; to soothe him tosleep. You see it was after midnight, and I did not like to send for you.” “The dose would not have killed an infant, doctor, I assure you,” put in Flinter. “I took three times as much myself, didn’t I, Percival ? just to send me nto a deep sleep of forgetfulness after our midnighti -experiences.” “Yes; I can vouch forthe truth of that,” the baronet replied, eagerly. “Would this gentleman mind leaving us alone together, Sir Percival,” asked the doctor, looking at him significantly. “Richard, please retire for awhile,” said the baronet to Flinter, who at once withdrew. Locking the door, Doctor Merton said: “ Pray let us seat ourselves by the fire, Sir Percival. I have something to say to you, which, for your sake, I wouldn’t care to be overheard.” The baronet complied, but looked ill at ease. “ You insured your son’s life for ten thousand pounds. I examined him on behalf of the in- surance company. Have the premiums been paid up to date P” “Yes; to the uttermost farthing,” he replied, moodily. . “The certificate of death must be above sus- picion,” remarked the doctor; “of course you're aware of that?” Sir Percival nodded, and eyed the little man askance. “Ten thousand pounds is a large, a very large sum. Chloral is a deadly poison; if that fact ; comes out atan inquest, you won’t get a penny of the insurance money, besides bringing suspicion on your motives.” “T quite see the force of your argument, doctor. Is there no way out of this dilemma?” “Yes; by my standing your friend, for a con- sideration.” “In money? How much?” with brutal frankness. “ A thousand pounds! You'll clear nine thou- sand by the transaction, and avert all suspicion from you.” “It’s a large, a very large sum, doctor,” observed the baronet with a wry face. “Only commensurate with the stake at issue, sir.” “Exactly! I do not demur, doctor. When I see your certificate, you can have my cheque for a thousand pounds.” “No, not a cheque, please, but notes to that amount; the other would look suspicious.” _ “ Agreed; the money will be ready. When will you eall for itP” “To-night, at ten o’clock.” ‘ “Very well, let it stand at that; its a sad, a very sad business for me, doctor. Muchas Ilike money, because of its power, I'd willingly give five times the amount to have my boy alive and well.” The baronet was very moody for the remainder of that day, and avoided Flinter as much as possible. How- ever, they met at dinner, and after the cloth had been cleared away, he pushed several packets of bank-notes towards his brother, and said, none too graciously: “Just see that they make a total of one thousand pounds!” “Jack Easy’s Schooldays” is a si litting a ¥ der his is epieni da vi Can asked the baronet, OF DEATH. 9 “Tt’s the exact amount,” replied Flinter, after totting them up. “Shall I take a note of the numbers, Percival ?” “No. Do you know what that thousand pounds represents P” “How can I?” “‘ Well, I’ll tell you—a dose of laudanum.” “You are bribing Dr. Merton P” “Yes. As administering the drug was your sugges- tion, Berens you'll go halves with me in the expense?” “Certainly ; under one condition.” “Which is?” “That you share with me the ten thousand pounds, for which Robert’s life was insured. You see, I know a thing or two, Percival. When is the doctor coming for his money P’ THE ASSASSIN WAS NO OTHER THAN DICK FLINTEBR. “To-night, at ten.” “I'd better make myself scarce, I suppose? ” “Perhaps it would be as well. Of course, I upon you keeping this matter a secret?” “ Oh! of course, without a bribe. I’ve been your tool all through my life, Percival. You’ve waxed rich, while I’ve had to depend upon my wits. I’m going . straight off to bed. Don’t disturb me if you can possibly help it. Good-night!” Doctor Merton came, received his money in return for a certificate of death,and rode off on his cob, whistling _ softly to himself in the moonlight. At an attic, used as a lumber-room, a ghastly face peered through the pindow, which commanded a view of the country for es. Half a mile from Monk House a brook, swollen by recent heavy rains, flanked the road on one side; on the other was a hedge. The doctor ambled on, in good spirits, with a thousand pounds in bank notes, stowed away in the breast-pocket of his coat. Nos. 1 and 2 are still selling by thousands. One Penny, alue for your money, ’ can rely comiclooks.corn