The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 380: what you’re looking at

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

LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE — 363 prehend everything as plainly as if the murderer’s confession were made, and the hideous details were still ringing in our ears. Circumstances which wore quite another complexion at the time now reveal themselves in their true ight. But if —as there is every reason to suspect — that vile woman was herself an accomplice — ”’ ‘ Who?’ demanded Mr. Denison, hurriedly. “Lady Saxondale,” replied Hawkshaw. “ But let me give you the promised explanations. That pistol belonged to Lord Harold Staunton. One day I went up to the room which he occupied at the castle; he was busy preparing his fishing-tackle, and I lingered a little while to converse with him. Accident led me to examine his pistol-case, which was made to contain two, but one only was there; the other was missing. I looked at the one which was left. I remem- ber commenting upon its workmanship. I observed the maker’s name, and I remarked that it was a celebrated one. This pistol which lies before you, Denison, is the exact. fellow to the one which I then saw.”’ ‘Good heavens! then there is no doubt,’’ said the old gentleman, shuddering. ‘““ Alas, not the slightest,” rejoined Hawkshaw. “ And now I bethink me there was something very singular in Staunton’s manner throughout that conversation. I remember, too, that at one moment — ah, it was when I observed that he was doubtless a good shot — he became so deadly pale, and his countenance suddenly wore so ghastly a look, that I grew terrified on his account. I how- ever attributed those appearances to his recent accident; but that accident itself, Denison, I now feel convinced was an intentional one— Yes, I comprehend it all.’’ “Do you mean the accident with your thorough- bred? ”’ ‘“T do. Heavens, what a deeply laid project! With what demon-like artifice was the whole plan arranged. Do you not fathom my meaning? The wretched young man threw himself from the horse, in order that he might obtain a suffi- cient plea and excuse for keeping his own chamber. Thus was the opportunity afforded for committing the crime, while the very fact that he was believed to be stretched upon a bed of illness was of course calculated to avert even the very possibility of suspicion from himself. On that fatal CONNIE DOOKS (F(0)