The Wizard of West Penwith

hildren, and he received the best education that could be got in India, and was taken into his father's factory to assist him, when he was very young. Their mother died soon after the birth of her

manage the business in India. His sister resided at Ashley Hall, a country-seat about five or six miles from Bristol. The children enjoyed the country air exceedingly, and the scenery-so different from India-and the old gentleman enjoyed it as much as they did. He visited Bristol almost every day, and watched the markets, sometimes doing business and sometimes not. He very often

tick in his hand, and started. The stick was a very peculiar one, which he had brought with him from India. It was very heavy for its size, and had large sharp knots towards the big end,-not very handsome, but still it was peculiar, and so it had many admirers.

began to think he had missed his way,-for he now observed that he passed no houses on the road, as he was accustomed to do when he walked home before. At length, after walking some distance further, he saw a light, and, thinking it might be a roadside-inn, he made towards it. On approaching cautiously, however, he found it was not an inn, but a solitary cottage, partly surrounded by a garden-the entrance to which was through a small gate at the side; and nearly o

urteous at first, but any shelter was better than being out in the snow on such a night as this. He explained to her that he had missed his way in going to his sister's house from Bristol; and he begged her to let him partake of her meal, and rest a little, and warm himself-for which he said he would willi

'and it has come on so suddenly too

nely place for a habitation. You have a husband

er live here with me;-they are engaged in the sea

rom the sea, then?'

ou shall occupy his room, if you please. It is on the ground-floor, and looks into the garden. His business often keeps him out late. We are gone to bed frequ

ing quite an interesting story of it. What it wil

eutenant; "but I have heard the story repeat

at him earnestly; "it is quite like

"why where on earth have you met with any

aid the lieutenant, "I will proceed; but I haven't much

the little bedroom, leaving his hat and stick in the sitting-room. It was a comfortable little room enough. The bed was small, and very near the door,-so near, that immediately you opened it you faced the side of the bed, and you had t

like. They might be a gang of desperadoes connected with the smugglers that infested the coast. He did not like his position at all;-he was unarmed, and in their power, and he had left his stick in the sitting-room. If he went back for it, it would cause suspicion. He determined, therefore, to lie down on the bed without taking off his clothes, and be off in the morning as soon as he could see. There was no lock t

He had the appearance of being intoxicated. He opened th

ht Mr. Morley, 'come home unexpectedly

ould be very unpleasant, and bring the other members of the household also upon him. Besides, no doubt these men carried arms with them,

dow. He would be on the bed in a minute, for he was getting up from the floor. Mr. Morley therefore slid down the side op

mself on the bed, and

with a heavy bludgeon on the poor old man's head, as he lay sound aslee

ws were no doubt intended for himself, and if he raised an alarm he would still be victimized. He was in an agony of fright and terror. His only thought was to save his own life; for if the murderer discovered that he had not killed his intended victim, he would

le. Oh! don't go on! I can't bear it;"-and she placed her hands befo

ginning; now let's hear the end. Go on, Fowler. Those

room; so Mr. F

arest neighbours and constables; and information was given to the magistrates by the brother and sister, accusing the stranger of the murder, which appeared on the face of it very plausible; for the accused man's stick and hat were found in the bedroom, and the name 'Morley' was written inside the hat. The stick was covered with blood, and the sharp knots corresponded with the marks in the murdered man's head. The stick was easily identified. The murdered man's hat was missing too. But what motive could such a man as Mr. Morley have had for committing such a crime?" The woman said he might have been tipsy, and lost his way in the snow, and finding the window so near the

fence, she said. He might have got in at the window, perhaps, for shelter; but why not have come ro

had a considerable sum of money about him, which he h

fact of his having come so much out of his way, if he was really only going from Bristol to Ashley

istrates could do no other than commit him to the count

was no evidence against Mr.

agitation, and had absconded no one knew where. They were afraid of the close cross-examin

s having been committed to prison on a charge of murder would still hang over his family, until it could be properly cleared up by the conviction or confession of the real murderer. He died soon after hi

s, that my friend should fe

said Miss Pendray. "I wonder wha

nd enquired everywhere-at home and abroad-but as yet to no purpose. They have, no doubt,

ak of the living," said the squire. "Wh

from India about this time, having amassed a large fortune, besides what his father left, which he was about to divide between the three children, according to

dray; "how many troubles he has