The Argosy — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

Court Netherleigh. 93 dared ; as much as it was expedient to say, against the alderman’s decision; but to no purpose. Sir Turtle, trying to put the wisdom of an owl into his round face, demanded to know, if the prisoner was not guilty, who was? ‘This not being satisfactorily explained, he remanded the prisoner to the following morning, when he would probably be committed for trial. And, with this consolatary decision, Charles was conveyed back to his lodgings in Newgate. Mr. Howard, somewhat put out by the contretemps, and by the alderman’s rejection of his declared testimony that the pr.soner was innocent, wrote a note to Lord Acorn with the news, and sent it to Chenevix House by hand. WHe had promised to notify the release of Charles, when that should be accomplished. But he had to notify a very different fact. ‘Bless my heart!” exclaimed Lord Acorn, when he opened the note late in the afternoon, for he (also relieved of his worst gsak! had been out gadding. “This is a dreadful thing !” ‘What is the matter?” cried his wife, who was sitting there with Grace. “One would think the world was coming to an end, to look at your face.” The Earl’s face just then was considerably lengthened. He stood twirling his whiskers, and gazing at James Howard’s very plain hand- writing. “They won’t release Cleveland, Howard writes me,” said the Earl. “Things have taken a cross turn.” Grace closed her book and clasped her hands. Lady Acorn threw down her knitting, and inquired who would not release him ? “The magistrate who has sat to hear the case,” replied Lord Acorn. «« Sir—what’s the odd name ?—Turtle Kite. He refuses, absolutely, to release Charles, until the true culprit shall be brought before him— . seems to think it 1s a trick, Howard says.” “Good heavens!” cried Lady Grace, foreseeing more dire conse- quences than she would have liked to speak of. ‘‘ What will become of Charles? What of Adela? Oh, papa! they cannot compel her to appear, can they P———tto take Charles’s place ?” “T don’t know what they can do,” gloomily responded the Earl. “Hang these aldermen! What right have they to turn obstinate, when a prisoner’s innocency 1s vouched for?” And where zs the prisoner ?” cried my lady. “Taken back to Newgate. Is to be brought up again to-morrow, to be committed for trial. Well, this is a pretty kettle of fish!” Grace bit her pale and trembling lips. ‘‘ Was Mr. Grubb at the examination, papa ?”’ “No. Grubb’s at Blackheath. Has not been up, Howard says, since he went down yesterday. What on earth is to be done ?” “The best thing to do is for you to go to Blackheath and see Mr. Grubb,” promptly cried the Countess. ‘If Adela were a child, I should best her. Bringing all this worry and disgrace upon us!” COMIC OOO SS) (S©)