Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=IEggAAAAMAAJ (the New York Public Library) The Lost Parchment _A Detective Story_ BY FERGUS HUME AUTHOR OF "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," "THE MYSTERY QUEEN," "THE RAINBOW FEATHER," "RED MONEY," "THE SEALED MESSAGE," "THE SECRET PASSAGE," "THE STEEL CROWN," ETC. G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY PUBLISHERS NEW YORK COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY _The Lost Parchment_ Press of J. J. Little & Ives Co. New York CONTENTS CHAPTER I. Schoolfellows II. The Vicar III. Lovers IV. The Cottage V. A Revelation VI. Counsels Opinion VII. A Nine Days Wonder VIII. Mallien Speaks IX. A Serious Position X. Dorinda XI. Carringtons Advice XII. On the Track XIII. Confession XIV. A Clue XV. Circumstantial Evidence XVI. A New Witness XVII. Difficulties XVIII. Setting a Trap XIX. Resurgam XX. A Weird Story XXI. A Final Surprise THE LOST PARCHMENT. CHAPTER I SCHOOLFELLOWS "So this is your kingdom, Hendle?" said the visitor, looking round the garden which glowed with rainbow tints in the hot July sunshine; "and a very jolly kingdom it is. When did you enter into it?" "When I was fifteen, twelve years ago," replied the Squire, smiling. "Don't you remember how I wrote and told you of the death of my father? You had just left school for the 'Varsity. Those were capital days at Rugby, weren't they, Carrington?" "They were. I have had few capital days since." "But surely at Oxford----" Carrington shrugged his shoulders and made a frank admission. "Oh, yes! Oxford was all right until my father died and left me without a sixpence. It was hard work, I can tell you, qualifying for the Bar on next to nothing. And I can't say that I have made my fortune as a barrister. You, lucky dog, don't need to bother about pounds, shillings, and pence." "I have certainly nothing to complain of on that score," said Hendle in a satisfied tone and extending his cigarette case. "It was a pity we drifted apart, Carrington, as we were such chums at Rugby. I might have helped you." "You were always a good chap, Hendle, and that is why I took to you, when we were in our teens. But we saw nothing of each other all these years because you had money and I hadn't. Besides, you went to Cambridge, while I patronized Oxford. It is my fault that our friendship has not continued unbroken, as I never answered your many letters. But you see I was always too much involved in law studies to bother. You, I presume, were looking after your snug little kingdom." Hendle nodded. "I am a very stay-at-home person, and the place requires a good deal of supervision." "Lucky dog!" repeated the barrister. "You have a fine income, too." "So-so. Four thousand a year."