Devlin the BarberFarjeon, B. L. (Benjamin Leopold)
General
Devlin the Barber
Farjeon, B. L. (Benjamin Leopold)
Detective and mystery stories; English fiction -- 19th century
I was appalled at this last question. It proved that Lizzie was
ignorant of what had occurred. Not daring to answer her, I drew her
from the room, and the women I left there made no attempt to prevent
me. Swiftly I took my precious charge from the house, and in a very
few minutes we were in the carriage which was waiting for me at the
foot of the Rue de la Paix. The driver understood the direction I gave
him, and we galloped at full speed to the Hotel de Poilly. Without
revealing to Lizzie what I knew, I learnt from her before we reached
the hotel sufficient to enlighten me as to Mr. Kenneth Dowsett's
proceedings, and to confirm my suspicion that it was Mary Melladew who
had met her death at that villain's hands. When Lizzie received the
anonymous letter which he wrote to her, she took it to her poor
sister, who, fearing some plot, prevailed upon her to let her see the
anonymous writer in Lizzie's place; and, the better to carry out the
plan, the sisters changed dresses, and went together to Victoria Park.
Being twins, and bearing so close a resemblance to each other, there
was little fear of the change being discovered until at least Mary had
ascertained why the meeting was so urgently desired. Leaving Lizzie in
a secluded part of the park, Mary proceeded to the rendezvous, with
what result Mr. Dowsett's confession has already made clear.
Discovering the fatal error he had committed, Mr. Dowsett returned to
Lizzie, who, while waiting for her sister, had fallen asleep. Being
thoroughly unnerved, he decided that there was only one means of
safety before him--flight and the concealment of Lizzie Melladew. The
idea of a second murder may have occurred to him, but, villain as he
was, he had not the courage to carry it out. He had taken from the
dead girl's pocket everything it contained, with the exception of a
handkerchief which, in his haste, he overlooked; and upon this
handkerchief was marked the name of Lizzie Melladew. He could imitate
Richard Carton's writing--as was proved by the forgeries he had
already committed--and upon the back of this anonymous letter he wrote
in pencil a few words in which Lizzie was implored to trust herself
implicitly to Mr. Dowsett, and without question to do as he directed.
Signing these words in Richard Carton's name, he awoke Lizzie and gave
her the note. Alarmed and agitated as the young girl was, and fearing
that some great danger threatened her lover, she, with very little
hesitation, allowed herself to be persuaded by Mr. Dowsett, and
accompanied him home. "Where is Mary?" she asked. "With our dear
Richard," replied Mr. Dowsett; "we shall see them to-morrow, when all
will be explained." At home Mr. Dowsett informed his wife of his
peril, and the three females left for Margate by an early train in the
morning. In Margate Mrs. Dowsett received telegrams signed "Richard
Carton," but really sent by her husband, which she showed to Lizzie,
and which served in some measure to assist the successful continuation
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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