The Lost Lady of Lone

e village, on the bridge, and on the island, Lord Arondelle had driven over to

ry and went out i

owly arose from his chair to honor the young marquis by opening the doors

the act of passing out when h

k rang through the house,

and then by the sound of many hurry

" thought the startled young marquis, rus

errified people, all hurrying in one di

quis as, without waiting to ask questions, he rushed through and distanced the crowd, and reached the door of the banker's bedroom, which was blocked

ing his way with more violence than ceremony thro

d him. No one

said one of the wedding guests, recognizing th

around some object on the floor; they made w

in and l

surrounded by a pool of coagulated blood! The face was marble white; the eyes were open and stony, the jaws had dropped and stiffene

marquis, a cold sweat of horror bursting from hi

him at once, to the effe

ped and lifted the insensible form of his bride and laid her on the bed-the bed that had not been occupied duri

rondelle, in an agony of anxiety, as he bent

uid haste," answered the steward, who stood overcome with grie

go out of the room for the present, and take all these men with you, and leave Miss Levison to the care of myself and the women. This

is maddening!" groaned the marquis, smiting his forehead

ength of mind, for her sake. Think of her. She came to this room in her bridal dress to call her father, that he might get ready to take her to the altar, to give her to you, and she found him here mur

ing, that all my love should be powerless to save you from a sorrow lik

father, brother, or male relative to take direction of affairs in this awful crisis of her life. You, her betrothed husband, should do it-must do it! Rouse yourself at onc

young man, in a tone of mournful resolution. Then turning

for the present to the care of Lady

he dowage

the coroner. As soon as it is possible to do so, you will of course have Miss Levison conveyed to her own chamber. But when you

the stupefied hous

closed, and no one permitted to learn the arrival of

ble form of his bride, he left the room of horrors, fo

s outside, who were quite at liberty to go, showed no disposition to do so. They had come to take part in a joyous wedding fest

ts, had forborne to appear at the feast, now came in their tattered plaids, impelled by an eager curiosity to gaze upon the

ble story. And soon the telegraph wi

in untouched. He then empanelled a jury for the inquest, whose first session was held in the cham

mselves at liberty to depart. But very few availed themselves of th

moned by telegraph from Scotland Yard, Londo

rge of the police while the

formation of a decided v

l. The instrument was searched for, and soon found in a small but very heavy bronze statuette of Somnes that used to stand on the bedroom mantel-piece; but was no

, his gold snuff-box, set with emeralds, a heavy cornelian seal ring set in gold, and his diamond studs and sleeve buttons were taken. A patent safe, which st

f the robber c

burglary to be seen anywhere about the house. The f

us treasure then in the castle in the form of wedding offerings to the bride, had gained access to the building, and penetrated

two faithful men-servants armed with revolvers and seated at the table under a lighted chandelier. It was supposed that the robbers, seeing this lighted and guarded room, had crept past it and mounted to the

arm had b

amined testified to having passed a

and the opening of it in the morning, testified to having fastened every door at eleven o'

house, since there was no sign of a broken lock or bolt to

ome inmate of the castle, who

t what

e his master at night, and the first to see him in the morning. He had a pass-key to the ante-room of his master's chamber. It was believed to be a very suspicious circumstance, also that

hat night after the family had retired, and concealed them until the hour came for the commission of their crime; and that he made excuses in the morning not t

ny one. The officers of the law were

witness, and subjected to

ace, sharp features, weak, blue eyes, and scanty red hair and whiskers, dressed with foppish precision. He looked

ce of Sir Lemuel Levison for the last five years; that he loved and honored the deceased banker, and had every reason to believe that his master valued h

the habit of waiting every morning for his m

nding orders to call his master every morning at seve

whether he had received these exceptio

s he wished to have a talk with her. He delivered his message through Miss Levison's maid, and returned to his master's room. But when Miss Levison was announce

and that was the last time as ever I saw my master

roborate this part of your testimony. Where is M

as present at the inquest,

a witness. She is lying in her chamber, near

But it is no wonder, poor young lady, after

tor, "is a witness who, I think, w