Miser Farebrother (vol 3 of 3)

peared in the special editions of the

'Miser' Farebrother, who was found dead in the grou

whose evidence would enable them to decide under what circumstances death had taken place. He was informed that one witness was absent whose evidence might have an

was Mrs. Deborah Pamflett. Before she was examined, however, Mr. Freder

e they any bearing

alf of the only child of the murdered man, and I request permission to p

to pertinent questions being put to the w

he lady I represent. An unhappy circumstance prevents her attendance. I hand you a certificate, signed by two doctors, to the effect that Miss Farebrother is suffering from brain-fever, and that she is

se house is Miss Fare

e in Camden Town. You will find th

n, and the examination of Mrs

s Deborah Pam

e a wido

ice of the de

city?'-'As his

u been so employed

ther servants in t

uring your service?

d of the deceased consist?'-'Usually o

s daughter was frequently absent on vi

'-'She had been absent from the house for some weeks, bu

ssage to him, asking him to come upon business. My son, however, anticipated the message, and alighted from the train just as I sent off the message. He met me in the village, and we walked to Parksides together. When I went to my master and told him that my son had arrived, he expressed himself as being very pleased. Between my master and my son the most friendly and cordial

, within a few minutes one way or another. At eight o'clock my master rang the bell for me, and I went up to him. I was in the habit of sitting with him often

that these observations do not come wi

dence fairly. It will, however, be as well that she

am stating

of those affectionate relations which should exist between father and daughter.' To witness: 'Under what circumstances did Miss Farebrother, on

st that, sir; but I will int

I know is that they had a violent quarrel late at night, and that Miss Farebrother left against he

and admitted him. I do not know his name, but for the last three or four years he came perhaps four or five times a year-always at night-and he and my master would be closeted together for two or three hours. On this occasion

etimes slept so for a few hours; he suffered greatly from gout and rheumatism, and he has said to me that he felt easier in that position than in bed. I closed the door quietly and went down to the kitchen, and there, to my astonishment, I saw Miss Farebrother. She had a knife in her hand, the knife with a horn handle, and she put it hastily on the table as I entered. The drawer in which I kept my knives was open; when I went to bed I left it closed. Miss Farebrother was very angry at my making my appearance, and she asked me how I dared to play the spy upon her. I told her that I was not playing the spy, and that I had been disturbed in my sleep by a noise in the house, and I came down to see what it was. I said something, too, about how astonishing it was that she should come home at such an hour, and she replied that it was no business of mine, and that I was to go to my room at once, or she would have me bundled out of the house the first thing in the morning. It was no use answering her; she was my mistress, and I had to obey her

ve been as much as my situation was worth to interfere. They had often quarrelled like that, though not in the exact words I h

my master also said, very sorrowfully, that I had better never trou

he was continually threatening him, so that there was nothing very unusual

you fall asleep?'-'Not immediately; perh

rn to the house?'-'I hea

did you awake?'-'At a little before seven-my usual time. By

itchen?'-'Nothing particular. Things were pret

kept your knives-was it cl

s that?'-'I did not know. I had no occasi

'-'At nine o'clock or thereabouts; but there were exceptions, and when nine o

as there was no answer to my knock, I opened the door. My master was not there, and the bed had not been slept in. Then I went to Miss Farebrother's room, and she was not there, and she had not slept in her bed. I became frightened, and I thought I would look about the gr

ich you discovered the body of the deceased?

any sounds proceeding from that spot?'-'It

s for help, they would not have reac

Farebrother's dress when you found her in the kitchen

dressed?

wear a h

it?'-'Yes, there

ble to recognize

Veil produced.)-

one, and I should not have noticed that if I

he ornament?

; it is a very particular brooc

t?'-'Yes, t

ave to ask you.'-

ll: 'A mome

all, that I shall check you if you ask a

'Are you positive that your memory is faithful upon all t

and Miss Farebrother in the kitchen?

tion between y

he horn handle?'-'It i

requently threatened her father?'-'

sagreement to any person?'-'No, sir, exc

ne?'-'N

me to be pertinent. Some are repetitions of questions already asked and ans

on from you, for there is to me, and doubtless to others, s

: 'I do not accuse any one

en you last saw Miss Farebrother she wore the brooch which you

visited the deceased on the nig

it should have been asked. I should doubtl

above the usual height of a woman. His face is dark; he

?'-'In a dark

y?'-'A silver chain an

large diamond would be likely to wear a gold chain.'-'

would you suppose

icted by precisely such a weapon as the knife with the horn handle. Asked whether the deceased might not have stabbed himself, Dr. Playfellow said that

existed; they had never had a word of difference, and his master reposed complete confidence in him. On the afternoon before his master's death he went to Parksides to submit certain accounts to Miser Farebrother, anticipating the telegram which was sent to him requesting him to come. The deceased expressed great satisfaction at his attenti

other respects a kind man?'-'Very kind and consider

and said he was sorry he had let the words slip. He was, however, pressed to explain, and he then

he kind to his daug

e was continual disagreement; but it was not my m

f this disagreement?'-'It

r, and that he woul

at my master said to me at different times, it was because she demanded sums of money for purposes of which he did not approve. He

r?'-'To her relatives in Lond

e relatives?'-'Lethbridge.

them?'-'According to what my master said

abit of visiting t

nsent. He frequently remonstrated with her for payin

onstrances she continue

deceased in his home at Parksides late at night. Do you know anything

e office in London?'-

ass between you and the dece

'-'No; but it could not have been upon the affairs

t to this witness by M

ndon on the occasion of your last vi

the office when you r

arrive at the office?'-

eep ther

Mrs. Lethbridge, whose eviden

of the deceased?'-'I

friendly terms

ly?'-'No. But we are n

the habit of visitin

tly?'-'Fr

ny length of time?'-'Yes; gene

oughly friendly nature?'-'Of a most affection

ntiment of all yo

s to your house paid with the c

from him?'-'No. We

u or any of your family seen him, say with

in London?'-'No; at h

sked by his daughter. It was her birthday, but we u

d. From whom?'-

ng were you at Parksides?

ily partake of any mea

table?'-'No; he sent word that h

d upon his invitation?'-'No

, my niece, and

an who represents Miss Farebr

company you?'-'

wn discretion. I

swer the question,

e, and he accompanied us for the purpose of ask

consent g

n you and Mr. Cornwall

ine years. I will go as far back as the birth of the deceased's daughter, who is now of

ce?'-'No

nd with you, or y

n, passed between y

ny kind? You hesitate!'-'I was co

s ago. My niece then was scarcely two years of age, and her poor mother was dying. She wi

at time you were not upon friendly te

'Yes; and I saw my sister. I was with her when she died, and

ns. On that visit, so long ago, did you gather the impression that the deceased was glad to see you-that you

ute and distinct antipathy on one side or both. I come now to the night upon

taking up her residence with you when her father'

ively refused ever to receive her again as a daughter?

d to behave dutifully, and to obey him?'-'I cannot deny that

siness to inquire. A few hours before her fath

wledge?'-'Witho

She met our servant, and desired her to give us a mess

r to leave. Did she return to

t morning

e?'-'At about

movements?'-'She could not do so. She was

re of her illness?'

that she has brain fever

veil?' (Veil produced.)-

cannot positively s

ve seen it, but I do not think it has

o that?'-'No, I c

strike you that she must have exp

strong excit

ation of it?'-'She could not

s witness, who several times in the cou

at the veil and the brooch were foun

red their verdict, which was that Miser Farebrother

for the arrest of Ph?be Farebrother on the cha