Detective and mystery stories; English fiction -- 19th century
We were speaking low, that Rosalie might not hear. I remember the
Baron said it was so curious he must take a note of it, and he wrote it
all down in his pocket-book. He took down the dates, and all about it.
He was very particular about the dates. I am sure Rosalie could have
heard nothing of all this; not even if she had understood English. We
had gone to the window, and were too far off. Besides, we spoke low.
Afterwards the Baron seemed thoughtful, and did not speak for some
time. Anderton and I got to mesmerism again, and he got a number of
some magazine--the "Zoist," or something of that sort--to prove to me
something. He read me some wonderful story about eating by deputy, and
when I would not believe it, he called the Baron and asked if it was
not true, and he said perfectly, he had known it himself. He started
when Anderton spoke to him, as if he had been thinking of something
else, and he had to repeat it again. I know it was something about
eating by deputy, because afterwards, when I was wounded and had the
fever, I used to think of it and wish I could take physic that way.
You will find it in the "Zoist" for that month--October, 1854.[3] I
remember saying at the time, that it was lucky for the young woman that
the fellow didn't eat anything unwholesome, and Anderton laughed at
it. The Baron did not laugh. He stood for ever so long without saying
a word, and looking quite odd. I thought that I had offended him by
laughing. Anderton spoke to him, and he jumped again, and I saw this
time he had let his cigar out. I remember that, because he tried to
light it again by mine, and his hand shook so he put mine out instead.
He said he was cold, and shut the window. He would not have another
cigar, but said he must go away, for it was late. Anderton and I sat
smoking for some time. I tried to persuade him to give up mesmerism,
and he said Mrs. Anderton was so well now, he thought she could do
without it, and that she would give it up in a few weeks. I heard from
him afterwards, in November, that the Baron had left town for some
weeks. When I was ill at Scutari, after my wound, I wrote to ask him
to meet me at Naples, and he started with Mrs. Anderton in December,
but was stopped at Dover by Mrs. Anderton's illness. I have had several
letters from him since, and am quite ready to give copies of them;
all but the bits that are private. I have read over this statement,
and it is all quite true. I am quite ready to swear to it in a court
of justice, if required. I wish to add, that I am quite certain poor
Anderton had nothing to do with his poor wife's death. I will swear to
that.
3. _Statement of Julie._[4]
"Manchester, 3 Aug., 1857.
"DEAR SIR,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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