Detective and mystery stories; English fiction -- 19th century
"Poor Gertrude now sank rapidly, and though every means was tried,
and she still lingered on for three or four hours, she at last sank
altogether, passing away at the last so quietly that we hardly knew
that she was gone. Poor darling, I always loved her as being such a
favourite with you all.... One word before I close as to the paper
which was the unhappy cause of this terrible blow. It contained, as I
had feared, the long-dreaded intelligence of Sir Edward's fatal quarrel
with Mr. H.; and I send it off by the same post, as you will wish to
know the sad particulars. I cannot write more now, for I am fairly worn
out, and must take some rest. You know how deeply I sympathise with
you....
"Most affectionately yours,
"HELEN WARD."
5. _Extract from the_ "Morning Herald," _of the 12th of November,_ 1832.
"_Fatal Duel at Dieppe._--We learn from the Paris papers, that an
extraordinary and fatal duel took place some days since in the
neighbourhood of Dieppe, between two Englishmen, neither of whom have
as yet been identified. It appears that the parties encountered each
other in the court-yard of the Hotel de l'Europe, where one of them,
whose linen bears the mark of C. G. H., had been staying for some
days. The new comer at once assailed the other evidently with the most
opprobrious language, to which Mr. H. replied with equal warmth, but
the conversation being carried on in English, was unfortunately not
understood by any one present. The altercation at length grew so warm
that the landlord was compelled to interfere, and the parties then
left the hotel together. A few hours afterwards Mr. H. returned, and
calling for his bill, hastily packed his portmanteau, and departed. He
has since been traced to Paris, where he was lost sight of altogether.
Early the next morning a rumour spread that the body of an Englishman
had been found in a vineyard, about a mile distant from the town, and
on enquiry it proved that the victim was no other than the gentleman
with whom the dispute had occurred on the previous night. It was
evident on examination that the unfortunate man must have fallen in
fair fight, though no seconds appear to have been present during the
encounter. A pistol, recently discharged, was firmly grasped in the
hand of the dead man; and at a dozen paces distant lay its fellow,
evidently the weapon with which he had been killed. The fatal wound,
too, was exactly in that portion of the chest which would be exposed
to an adversary's fire, and had evidently pierced the heart, so that
death must have been instantaneous. The weapons, too, with which the
fatal duel was fought appear to have been the property of the deceased.
They were a very handsome pair of duelling pistols, hair triggers,
and evidently of English make. On the butt of each was a small silver
shield, bearing the initials "E. B.," and an armed hand grasping a
crossbow.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account