Rhyl Journal

Rílyl Licensing Court. TWO HOUSES REPORTED." LIVELY SCENES ARCHITECT REFUSED ADMISSION TO A HOUSE. SHORT-LIVED JOY. The adjourned Rhyl Licensing Sessions were held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Mr S Perks. The proceedings were of a decidedly animated character, objections being offered to the renewal of the licence of the Britannia Inn, Hiuh Street, the oldest fully licensed qouse in the town, and of the licence of the White Horse Inn, Bedford Street, an ante-1869 beerhouse. The" Britannia" Case. Mr Joseph Lloyd applied on behalf of Joseph Thomas Shepherd for the renewal of the Britannia licence. Mr J Roberts-Jones objected on behalf ot the English and Welsh Free Church Council. He said that the position the objectors took was that there were too many licences in Rhyl, the last police report showing one house to every 166 of the inhabitants. Mr Jones was about to refer to the report of the Royal Commission on Licensing when Mr Joseph Lloyd inquired whether his friend was going to read the whole report. Besides, not a word of it was evidence. Mr Jones—There it is. It speaks for itself. Mr Lloyd-Then let it speak for itself, and lie on the table (laughter). It's literature, but not evidence. The Clerk (Mr Oliver George)—Are the members of the Royal Commission here to be cross-examined ? (Much laughter). Mr Jones--N,o, sir. The Clerk-And does the report say any- thing about the Britannia Inn. (Renewed laughter). Mr Jones said that the report suggested one house for every 750 of the inhabitants of a town, which, if adopted, would give Rhyl 11-281 licences instead of 51, as at present. He would now quote from his friend Mr C.aml;r,-(much laughter)-and perhaps Mr Lloyd would not object to that. Mr Lloyd said he would object quite as much to Mr Ganjlin's words M those of the Royal Commission, every bit (much laughter). MrJo„eslluotf Mr Ga„.l.r»:y;n8e of feeling sweeping over the country in favour of the reduction of licences. Mr Gamlin—I said grocers licences. Nir WiLi Thomas, surveyor, Prestatyn, said that the house was all right for 100 years ago Mr you don't think that such houses are as modern as an up-to-date young man as you would have them 3 (Laughter). Witness—I don't. Mr Hugh Edwards, president of the Welsh branch of the Free Church Council, also gave evidence, saying that he only knew the Brit- annia from the outside—(laughter)—and that the number of licensed houses in the town was far too great. Mr Lloyd said if the opposition had purpose- ly singled out extinction a licence for which a good case could be made out, they could not have selected a better house. A report prepared bv the police showed that very few houses in Rhyl stood in a fetter position than the Brit- annia It was one of the 16 free houses in Rhyl,' and there weie 25 of a less rateable value in the town. The house had very good stabling accommodation, and the general accommodation was very good. It was a market house. The takings came to £ 1,000 a year. Mr J T Shepherd* the licensee, m the course of his evidence, said that the "Britannia" was the oldest public house in Rhyl, being nearly 100 years old. He had put all his money into the house, so 'that if he lost the licence the prospect of going to the workhouse lay before him (laughter). He was willing to carry out whatever alterations the magistrates might think necessary. Superintendent Robert Jones admitted that licensed houses were very thick on the ground in the neighbourhood of the Britannia. He also admitted that in its present state the Britannia would stand a very poor chance if the application were for a new licence. After consulting in private, the Chairman said the Bench had decided to refer the house to the County Licensing Committtee for compensation, and to grant a temporary licence meanwhile. The White Horse Remarkable Proceedings. The renewal of the licence of the White Horse was next applied for by Mr F J Gamlin, on behalf of Hugh Jones. Mr H Percival Williams watched the proceedings on behalf of the owners and lessees, and Mr J Roberts- Jones again opposed on behalf of the Free Church Council. In opening his case, Mr Roberts-Jones said that he had not been able to secure a report of the internal arrangements of the house. When he wrote to Mr Gamlin for an appointment to enable that to be done, Mr Gamlin wrote an extraordinary letter to him in reply. Mr Gamlin (warmly)—I dont think it was an extraordinary letter. 1 never heard of such a thing in my life before as to write such a ridicu- lous letter. I consider it cheek. Mr Roberts-Jones-Will you sit down, and be quiet? Mr Gamlin-No, I won't sit down, nor will I be quiet either. Mr Roberts- Jones-I f you won't sit down and be quiet, I shall have to ask the magistrates to turn you out of court. Mr Gamlin—Don't be silly, and pray try and conduct yourself like a gentleman, if you can, and if you have got it in you. Mr Gamlin concluded this scene by saying that Mr Roberts-Jones had characterised his letter as an "extraordinary one, but he him- self considered the request as cheek, and the cheekiest thing he had ever heard in his life, namely, to ask permission to go into a man's house to secure material to dispossess him of his means of livelihood. Interesting Letters. Mr Roberts Jones then read Mr Gamlin's letter, which stated — "With reference to your application that a Mr William Thomas shall go upon my client's pre- mises to inspect the same with the object of making a report with a view to depriving my clint of his means of livelihood, I shall advise my client to refuse to render him any facilities or to allow him to go upon his premises. If Mr Thomas enters my client's premises with the object aforesaid, I shall advise my client to treat him as a trespasser, and to eject him, and, if also advised, to bring an action against him for trespass. "Unless you write me by return of post stat- ing that Mr William Thomas will give an undertaking not to enter upon my client's premises with the object aforesaid, please sup- ply me with his name and address, and I shall advise my client to commence an action in the County Court with the object of applying for an injunetion. Mr Gamlin (interrupting) :-Yes, to chuck him out. "I observe that you sign your notice for and on behalf of "Hugh Edwards and others." Be good enough to supply me with the full names and Addresses of the other parties objecting to the renewal.—I am, youra faith-1 fully. F J GAMLIN. | As a reply, Mr Roberts Jones wrote as follows "I am in receipt of your extraordinary letter of the 3rd inst, and hasten to calm your alarms. "I consider my suggestion a very proper one, as I am only anxious that the Bench should be put in possession of the true facts. 'As, however, you decline to allow our sur- veyor to inspect the premises, I shall have to depend upon the justices themselves making an inspection (unless you seek to restrain them by injunctions), and on your letter I shall not be to blame if it be assumed from your strenous refusal that the interior arrangements are worse than might be expected. 1 am opposing on behalf of It he Rhyl Free Church Councils-the English and Welsh branches jointly-and as they represent all the Free Churches of the town, you may take it that the others referred to in my notice comprise from 2,500 to 3,000 adult members. So that I obviously cannot conveniently comply with your request to supply you with their fullinames and addresses." Mr Gamlin An Englishman's home is his castle. Resuming his statement Mr Jones said he could only assume that Mr Gamlin had good reasons for keeping the surveyor away. As he had already contended in the previous case, owing to the number of licensed houses in the district the licence in question was unnecessary. Mr Thomas, surveyor, Prestatyn, said he had not been inside the house, but he had surveyed it'from the outside. There was only a frontage of about five yards, and he thought that was very small for a public house. Mr Hugh Edwards, the nominal objector, thought the neighbourhood already possessed enough drinking facilities. Mr Gamlin-Tell the bench ia what way the place is structurally unfit, for that is the first ground of objection given by you ? Witness—I don't know anything at all about it. An yet you have the audacity to get your solicitor to serve notices giving that as a ground for objection, when you don't know whether the assertion is true or false. Yes, if you call it audacity. But don't shout at me; my hearing is good (laughter). Mr Gamlin pointed out that the licence was in respect of an ante-1869 beerhouse, which was situate in a congested district and in one of the main arteries of the town. It had always been properly conducted, and the present licensee was for 28 years a postman and left the ser- vice with a character of excellency, signed by the Duke of Norfolk. This statement having been borne out by the licensee, Mr David Trehearn, the owner of the pro- perty adjacent to the house, considered the licence necessary. He agreed that the number of licensed houses in the town was too great, but he thought it a mistake to do away this one. P. S. Roberts spoke as to the house being properly conducted, and Mr Robert Lowe, the Rhyl sanitary surveyor, spoke as to the good sanitary condition of the house, and expressed the opinion that it was well adapted for the business carried on. After deliberation in private the Chairman announced that the magistrates had decided by a majority to renew the licence. There was some applause in court, which was quickly ended by the Chairman remarking that he had made a mistake. He meant to have said that the licence would be temporarily granted and the matter referred to the proper authority as in the case of the Britannia.

Piano Tuning Troubles. TO THE EDITOR OF THE RHYL JOURNAL. The starved" or neglectful way in which most instruments are kept by the average owner of pianos is considered of no account whatever, and yet it is as serious as the starving of shrubs, and needs to be as carefully guarded against. Especi- ally 80 where the rooms are warmed once a week, also in apartments and flats which are heated by gas fires or stoves. A piano is really more susceptible to excess of heat and to lack of moisture than human beings are. It is bad enough, of course, that men and women will live all the winter long in rooms heated to eighty degrees, with every particle of moisture baked out of the air. They naturally get colds and pneumonia from the experience. Meanwhile the intense dry heat, or damp cold, is just as fatal to the piano, which cannot properly stand for long either one or the other and any sudden cnange ID the temperatare is absolutely certain to have a dis- astrous effect with the tuning and mechanism, and so hundreds of pianos are hastened to rack and ruin. Either the moisture is dried out of the sounding board and from all the other wooden parts, which frequently warp and twist and disas- trously affect the action or else the dampness is absorbed to such an extent as to cause stiffness in all the action parts and keys, in fact to render the instrument almost useless. Then people wonder why the piano, for which they may have given a big price, gradually deteriorates ia tone. I know that some owners of pianos try to pre- vent such mishaps by placing a bowl of water near the piano, others again place plants around the instrument. The theory of doing so is probably all right, for the evaporation is supposed to pre vent the interior of the piano becoming too dry, thereby causing loose slapping noises in the action. It is surprising how some pianos are neglected, not always because of the tuning fee, but simply n account of the instrument not being used very requently, and so getting in a very bad state leforeit is noticed by the owner. Another reason is some people have an ide], that f the piano is not used it doesn't require to be uned-a most erroneous idea, for the strain still emains on the wires whether the instrument be in onstant use or stored away. As a proof of the necessity of having the piano uned regularly, all, without exception, the cele- irated (pianists, violinists, vocalists, &c., insist 'pon the piano being tuned every time it is used; md with the leading instrumentalists, a tuner ravels with the piano for that purpose. But for Irdinary purposes, three or four times a year is generally found sufficient. The mechanism, especially of the low grade )iano, gets out of order very easily. Many of the jarts, being pinned,often work loose, so that parts )f the action are left banging, much as a door night hang on one hinge. People think nothing of going on for six months, )r for a year, playing every day on a piano in this condition. Presently it gets into such a state that the expert can do hardly anything with it at one visit. While most owners are very neglectful of real disturbances in their pianos, they are liable, curiously enough, to be disturbed by troubles that are not in the instrument at all. Every tuner has the experience of being run after, when he has tuned a piano, by a player who reports that there is a dreadful rattling, and that the work therefore could not have been done thoroughly. The tuner (poor man) does not lose his temper, for be knows that in nine cases out of ten the owner has not realised how every loose object in the room may be set in vibration bv some key of the piano. Where bric-a-brac is kept on a piano, or metal photo frames, there is almost certam to be more or less jingling, both disagreeable and disturbing. Gas and electric light fittings in the room frequently produce the same effect, they are very easily caused to vibrate, and the noise is very mis- leading. aeeming to come from the piano itself. One instance, which the writer experienced, was rather amusing. A lady, whose piano had recent- ly been put in order, as it was supposed,was greatly distressed by a curious and inexplicable jingling that seemed to come from the back of the instru- ment. The tuner (the writer) who was called in to remedy the defect knew the moment he struck the keys that the noise did not emanate from within Lhe case for anything issuing thence is heard instantly after the hand strikes the keys, while foieign noises are always a little late in start- ing. Examination proved that the wall paper just behind the piano was loose and that it was made to vibrate by certain notes. To obtain the best result from any piano, no matter what the price given for the piano may have been, it is absolutely imperative to have it cared for as though it was a delicate child. Care should be taken that it is not subjected to extreme changes of temperature, and not placed in such a position aa to be in a direct draugh—tbehind the door of any room, where convenient, being the best. Use it regularly, and what is most import- ant of all, haye it tuned regularly and by an ex- perienced man. Never entrust the work to a man who is un- known to you, or a man who is travelling through from town to town, and whom you may never see again. For this important work it is necessary tUt a. qualified tuner be employed. W» Aa £ •

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. [WHATSOEVER A MAN ..('" SOWETH. BY WILLIAM LE QUEUX, Author ef Who Giveth This Woman ?" Th House of the Wicked." The Idol of the Town," Fairest Among Women," Whoao Findeth a Wife," &c., &c. [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER, XXI.—WHAT OCCURRED IN DEXN'S YARD, WESTMINSTER. That same evening, attired in my working clothes, I watched Winsloe's chambers in King Street at the hour when I knew hib habit was to return to diese for dinner. From live o'clock till half-past seven I lingered in the vicinity; then returning to my hotel in the Adelphi I there met Budd whom I heat round to the man's chambers to inquire when he would be in. Ilalf-an-hour later my valet returned with the information that Mr. Wiiifsloe was out of town, and was not expected back for several days. Ho had gone to the north, his man believed, but he had no instructions to forward letters. > Gone DOlCh: Had he discovered Tibbie's whereabouts and gone after her? Mine was a tantalising position, unable to return to my own rooms for fear that Winsloe and Parham should discover that I was still alive. They believed me to be dead—that [ had gone home." as "White Feather" repoitfd. That night I spent several hours wandering through those streets behind Regent Street, try- ing to recognise the house with the fatal stairs. All, however, was to no purpose, I had, I think, mistaken the direction which we had taken. Tired and worn out, I a to supper about ten o'clock in a small and rather uncleanly little foreign restaurant in Dean Street, and then returned to the Adelphi where I sat a long time in my room overlooking the Embankment and the Thames, loot in the mazes of mystery that now presented themselves. Where was Eric Domville? Where was Ellice \Vinsio(, ? Where was John Parham, alias Humphreys ? Tibbie evidently knew a. great deal more than she would admit. She had told me that my friend was in Paris. How could she know it she held no communication with anyone? No-fh(- more T reflected the more evident did it become that she was pbvying a double game. As I sat at the window with the dark deserted gardens below me, the row of gas lamps and the wide river before me, I tried to analyse my real feelings towards the dainty little love of my ^°She was a woman guilty of the terrible crime of murder, and yet I had promised to shield W because she had declared that her enemies in- tended to crush her. Had I really acted l ightly ? 1 asked myself. Truly, I was endeavouring to, defeat the ends of justice. Nevertheless, 1 recollected her wild earnest appeal to me, how she had fallen upon her knees and implored my help and protection. I remembered, too, that in her desperation she would have taken her own life rather than face her enemies. What did it all mean P So extraordinary had been the sequence of amazing events that my mind failed to grasp the true significance of all the facts. Of one truth, however, I was well aware, namely, thai; the dull life ot workaday Camber- well had worked a wonderful change in my little friend. She was more sedate, more composed, more womanly, while her calmness accentuated her sweetness of manner. Yet why did she wish to pose as a married woman ? What did she fear beyond the exposure of her crime? Sht- was fascinating, I own that. But upon her beau+y and grace was resting that dark, gruesome shadow, the shadow of the sword of retribution which hung over her, and from which she, alas, would never escape. What did the family think of her prolonged absence? What did the police think? I knew .well that bcth old Lady Seal-Cliff and Jack were leaving no stone unturned to try to discover her, while Wydcombe had left word with Budd that as soon as ever I returned re wished to see me. I would dearly have liked to have gone Tound to Curzon Street, but by floinc mr. I saw that Jack would know I had been there, and he might mention my x-isit to Winsloe, who, without doubt, was still his friend. My cipher advertisement had been so success- ful thTtf, after due consideration, I resolv :d to try and draw "White Feather." and ascer- ta in the identitv of that mysterious person Therefor? T sat at the table, and after hal Pin- hour, had reduced to the cipher the following announcement. "To White Feather.—Must see you. Very urgent. Meet me to-night at entrance to DPOTI^S Yard Westminster, at nine. without fail.-S." If White Feather" was in London he or would certainly keep the appointment wi ;ii Sybil. My only fear was that sho might see i 'te paper up in Newcastle, and detect the forgery. Before midnight I handed in tho advert bemenfc at the newspaper office in Fleet Street, and n .t morning had the satisfaction of seeing it in Tho dav I spent in comparative idleness. Budd. to whom I explained my strange conduct A, bv saving that I was still engaged in watchiug someone, called with my letters and executed several commissions for me. I William Morton" at the Post office at ( arhste, and spent the afternoon reading in the hotel. Budd had instructions to let now imme- diately anything was heard of Lnc, and was new -is my secret agent, eager to serve me in every particular. It was a wet unpleasant night. a8. a lttio before nine, I alighted from an ia Virtoria Street, and pasÚng tt Great Smidl Street approached Dean's Yard jioni the Great r'olWft Street side, the opposite entrance to the .spot where the appointment was To be kept. Dean's Yard is a quiet sqv^re °f ancient vmokR-blackened houses, a cloist*?1 of'the Abbey in the old days. quiet and secluded even m tlu^e modem go-ahead times. ,an nii nster there is n > quieter old-worW spot, fre- quented in the daytime only by the, fev persons who use it as a. short cut to T«ft^l Strc^ a"d Horseferry Road, and at night quiet and dor sprtcyl Enter in"- tho small secluded squai'a from the opposite side, I slipped along lf-way on the south side to a. position where 1 ^oulti huv,> a •mod view of the great arched communi- cating with Victoria Street, a**1 Jlu^e found a' deep, dark doorway u-lneli aflorded me ad- mirable concealment I stood and waited. Scarccly »ad I sealed myself there when the chimes o1. rang out the hour, and then I strained my "yee towards the great ill-lit Gothie gat^\aJ"- 0 Not a soul was in, the plac( > not even a. policeman. Presently a poor vro.man with a, shawl over her heaa hurried past 111 the lalling ra.in and afterwards came the postman, who very' fortunately, had no leHere for the doer where I stood concealed in the shadow. 1,110 place seemed dark, mysterious- almost ghostly, ia the dead silence of the night- U The quarter chimed, but no Peiso.i lmgeved at the gateway. Perhaps the advertisenieut had not been seen; or, more likely, "WhÜe Feather" was absent from London. At last, however, I heard the rattlei of a four-wheeled cab outside the 1 s'}w it stop, and a mam alighted. ihen the vehicle moved on slowly- and again stopped, as though awaiting in black overcoat and low felt hat loomed up in the darkness of the gateway, and entering the yard glanced eagerly around. Next moment another person- a lather taller man, entered and passed him by, but without Feather was absent from London. At last, however, I heard the rattlei of a four-wheeled cab outside the 1 s'}w it stop, and a mam alighted. ihen the vehicle moved on slowly- and again stopped, as though awaiting in black overcoat and low felt hat loomed up in the darkness of the gateway, and entering the yard glanced eagerly around. Next moment another person- a lather taller man, entered and passed him by, but without sneaking. Indeed, they passed aS gangers, the second man strolling slowly al°u^ the -pavement in the direction of where I was 111 uioing. He passed by me, and as the street lamp slione upon his face I saw that he was young a"*1. feature?? wete aquiline, dark and evi1-,«-°klnK; I had never to my knowledge seen him. betoie. He seemed well-dressed', for his o, nOt con- ceal the fact that he was wearing evriu"K clothes. His collar was turned up, but he went on heed- less of the rain, his sharp pvos seareluug every- where. My hiding-place was a- nl0i" excellent, one, however, and he failed to detect my presence. A few minutes later a third fian entered the vard, a youngish man with the air <>f the Cockney from the East End. He wore a hard hat ot the usual coster monger type, a red woollen comforter about his neck, and his trousers were bell- bottomed and adorned with pearl buttons. He, however, gave no sign to either of the other two, although it was apparent that they were ac- quainted. for surely three men could not be U p. 1ll appointments at that It rl f'recjll(llltcd spot at the same moment. The first comer still stood in the gateway, but too far away to allow me to dearly distinguish his features. He stood back in the shadow. Lis face turned expectantly out to the open r >ad- wav whereev^r and anon I saw the lights of passing and repassing, Meanwhile- the two men face turned expectantly out to the open r >ad- wav whereev^r and anon I saw the lights of passing and repassing, Meanwhile- the wo men m the quiev little square had 2'j A A posite gateway, and there haltsd. t_oa0_ a. a, distance from each other The ¡a.1 Who tad reived in a cab stood iM a long time in patience. the oilier two giving no sign whatever of their presence. At fird T >vas half inclined to think that the trio were strangers to eacbrother, but on jvatehing their movements I saw that something was premeditated-bnt what tt was I could not gather. T "While the man dressed as a -.o perhaps he was a real costermonger—remained near the exit to the yard ready to give warning of anyone app'oaching.t.he man in evening i-lotiles slowly repassed me. while at the same time the. watcher at the gate came forward in his direc- tioll. When not far from me lie halted and struck a vesta in order to light a cigarette. The fickle flame betrayed his countenance. It was the man, John Parham, the person be- lieved bv his Irife to be in India. What was contemplated? The four wheeled cab wa., still in waiting in the little open space which divides DeanV Yard from Victoria Street, while the exit to Great College Street was being watched, and the thin-faced man lurked there ready for Sybil's arrival. Within myself I friniled to think that all their elaborate arrangements were futile, and won- dered if Parham was the man who signed him. setf "White Fe-At,iet- In that; fellow's house were the fatal stairs, therefore if I followed him I should now be enabled to fix the actual place to which I had on that never-to-be-forgotten night, been enticed. While the coster monger remained on vigil. Parham and his companion passed and repassed but still without acknowledging each other. Once the costei monger suddenly began to whistle a popular music-hall air, and turning I eaw that it was a preconcerted signal. A man had entered the Yard from Great College Street and was crossing to where Parham was standing. For ftiliv tlnw quarterns of an hour they waited natfentty until ten o'clock struck. Then Pavham approached his companion, and they stood in earnest con versa I ion. Almost at the same moment a female figure in deep black came swiftly through the gateway into the Yard, causing both to start quickly and draw back. Next instant, however, Parham started off briskly, walking past me to where the costermonger was standing, while his thin-faced accomplice slipped past the new-comer and dis- appeared into Victoria Street. It was evident that the woman's appearand bad instantly upset all their calculations. The new-comer stopped, glanced around and strained her eyes into the darkness. She wore a close black hat, a long mackintosh and carried an umbrella, yet so swiftly had Parham disappeared that she had not noticed his pres- ence in the yard, while the other man had so cleverly slipped past her and out through the gateway that she had not seen his face. For a few moments she stood expectant. I could see that she had hurried, in fear of being too late. Then, as she approached me I discerned that pile was the girl O'Hara. And of her, Parham and his lurking accom- plices were evidently in fear, as they fceparated and disappeared, I watched her standing there and wondered why she had come. Was it in order to save Sybil from some plot that had been prepared for her ? Was it their intention to fake her to that dark mysterious house with the fatal stairs? I felt convinced that it was. The truth was plain. There was a plot against Sybil. The cab had been in waiting there to convey the (victim to her grave! CHAPTER XXII.-IS LYN ECHO FROM CHARLTON WOOD. My bitterest regret was that I had not beetl able to follow Parham and trace him to the .house of doom. but at the moment of his dis- appearance I had been unable to emerge from my hiding-place, otherwise the girl O'Hara would have seen me. Perhaps, indeed, she might have recognised me. So, by sheer force of adverse circumstances, I was compelled to :l't'main there and see the trio escape under my iTery nose. I had learnt one important fact, however, namely, that a deep conspiracy was afoot against 'Sybil. It was beyond comprehension, how Tibbie, daughter of the noble and patrician house of Scarcliff, could beeo intimately associated with what appeared to me to be a daring gang of malefactors. The treatment I had received at their hands showed me their utter nnscrupulous- ness. I wondered whether what the police sus- pected was really true, that others had lost their lives in that house wherein I had so nearly lost mine. What was the story of Tibbie's association with them-a romance no doubt. that had had its tragic ending in the death of the unknown in Charlton Wood. To me, it seemed plain that he was a Tne-rabe-r of the gang, for had he not their secret cipher upon him, and did not both Winsloe and Par- ham possess his photograph ? I recollected the receipt for a registered letter which I had found among the letters in the dead man's pocket, and next morning told Budd to go and unlock the drawer in my writing-table ,and bring it to me. He did so, and I saw that the receipt was for a letter handed in at the post-office at Blandford in Dorset, addressed to: Charles Denton, 16b, Bolton-rd., Pendleton, Manchester." I turned over the receipt in my hand, won- dering whether the sHp of paper would reveal anything to me. Then, after some reflection I resolved to break my journey in Manchester on Tiiy return to Tibbie in Carlisle, and ascertain who was this man to whom the dead unknown had sent a letter registered. Next afternoon I passed through Salford in a tram-car, along by Peel Park, and up the Broad Street to Pendleton, alighting at the junction of those two thoroughfares, the one leading to aristocratic Eccles and P,tlricroft, and the other out to bustling Bolton. TJwBollon Toad is one over which much heavy traffic passes, and is lined with small hoases, a working-class district, for there are many mills and factories in the vicinity. I found the house of which I was in search, a small rather c.ear.- looking place, and as I pas-sed a homely-looking woman was taking in the milk from the milk- man. Without hesitation I stopped, and addressing her, exclaimed— "Excuse me, mum, but do you happen to know a Mr. Charles Denton ?'" The woman scanned me quickly with some suspicion, I thought, but noticing, I supposed that although a working-man I seemed highly respectable replied bluntly in a pronounced Lancashire dialect— "Yes. I do. What may you want with him?" I want to see him on some important busi- ness," was my \ague reply. "Is he at home?" "No, he aint," was the woman's response. Ali-. Denton lodges with me, but 'e's up in London just now, and 'e's been there this four moittll-7 "In London!" I exclaimed. "Yes. bu'. I don't know his address. When lie goes away 'e never leaves it. He's lodged with me this two years, but I don't think 'e'a been here more than six months altogether the whole time." Then you have a lot of letters for him, I sup- poee ?" yeis. quite a lot," answered the good woman. The letter sent by the dead man might bo among them! It was about a letter that I wanted to Mr Denton—about a registered letter. I've come from London on purpose." From London!" ejaculated the woman, a stout, good-humoured person. Yes. I wonder whether you'd mind me look- ing at the letters, if it is among tliem I'd know he had not received it. The fact is," I added in confidence "there's a big lawsuit pending, and if he hasn't got the letter then the other side can't take any action against him." Then you're on his side P" she asked shrewdly. Of course I am. I came down to explain matters to him. If I can ascertain that he didn't get the letter then that's all I want. I'm a stranger, I know," I added. "But as it is in Mr Denton's interest I don't think you'll re- fuse." She hesitated- saying she thought she ought to ask her husband when he returned from the will. But by assuring her of her f eiil, an-l that I had to catch the six-thirty train back to London. I at last induced her to admit me to the houiie. and there in the small, clean, front parlour w hich was given over to her lodger when lie was there, she took a quantity of lettere from a cupboard and placed them before me. Among the accumulated correspondence were quite a number of registered letters, and several little packets which most likely contained articles of value. While T chatted with the woman with affected carclcsenci-is pretending to be on very friendly terms with her lodger, I quickly fixed upon tho letter in question, a registered envelope directed in a man's educated hand, and bearing the Bland ford post-mark. In order, however^ to divert her attention, I look up another letter, declaring that to be tho important one, and that the fact of hi¡;; not hav- ing received it was sufficient to prevent the action being brought. rin very gla(1 of that." she declared in ati faction. "Mi'- Denton is such a quiet gentle- man. When he's here he hardly ever goes out, hnt sits here reading and writing all day." "Yes," I agreed, lteV: very studious—always n-jg—but a very excellent friend. One of the vew best". So my husband always eaje. We only wish he was her,, more. I aa.w him in London atout a month $go I T^rpriTk^ ia K&MtaeutittidM.

Sad Death of a Prestatyn Dairyman. A SON'S SINCULAR CONDUCT STRONC REMARKS BY THE CORONER. At the Prestatyn Town Hall on Tuesday even- ing, Mr J Roberts Jones, deputy coroner for Flintshire, held an inquest touching the death of Hugh Jones, aged 66 years, dairyman, Meirion House, Grosvener Terrace, whose body was dis- covered in a brook in the neighbourhood of War- ren Road at noon on Monday. The jury was con- stituted as follows :—Messrs F Jewell (foreman), W Wheway, Geo Jones, Wm Evans, J Gratton, J Meredith Hughes, W J Williams, J 0 Clarke, T G Tucker. W D Jones. David Hughes, Joseph Davies, and Revs Jno Kelly and W Lewys Davies. Richard Jones, draper, identified the body of deceased as that of his father, who, he remarked, had been subject to fainting fits and had had a slight stroke. On one occasion when he had a fit ho was regarded as dead, and on another occasion he said he was dying. Early on Monday morning he complained to his wife and to the maid of a very bad headache. At dinner time witness missed deceased, and on making a search found his body lying on the right side in shallow water. He had apparently been to the stream for a supply of water, as one pail of water was standing on the bank and another in the stream close to the body. There was a mark on the bank which suggested to witness that deceased had slipped into the water under a fainting attack. Witness left the body in the water while he went tor assistance. The Coroner—Why did you leave the body in the water 'i Witness—I could see that my father was dead, and that I could do nothing and I did not know what position I would place myself in by touching the body. I went straight for P.C. Cheney, so that he might see the body as I found it. The Coroner-That is quite a wrong conception of the law, and I should like the public to realise that it is their duty in cases of this nature to' render the first possible aid. It seems to be everybody's idea that one cannot touch a corpse without calling a policeman. It is utterly and wickedly wrong, and the sooner people realise this the better. Many lives are undoubtedly lost through this erroneous idea. I do not wish to be harsh upon Mr Jones-I can quite understand his feelings-but I feel it to be my duty to say what I have said. P.C. Cheney related that he found deceased lying sideways in about 15 inches of water, bit outstretchad right hand being full of mud. Dr E C Wirnberley stated that he had attended deceased for the last four years, and knew that he was subject to fainting attacks. It was impossible to say exactly whether death was due to syncope or drowning, but witness was inclined to attribute it to the former, as deceased had lately been suffering from heart disease. After fuither evidence by Elias Roberts, 19 Albert Terrace, who came forward as probably the las- person who saw deceased alive, at about nine o'clock in the morning, The jury returned a verdict in accordance with, the medical evidence, A vote of condolence was accorded the bereaved relatives, on the proposition of the Rev Joho Kelly. Deceased was well known in Rhyl, where he at one time carried on the business of a grocer. He was the father of Mr Thomas Jones, draper, formerly of Cambrian House, High Street, Rhyl, and now of Liscard, Cheshire.

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How I longed to open that letter that lay se tantalisingly before me. But what could I dof Such a thing was not to be thought of. There- fore, I had to watch the woman gather the cor- respondence together and replace them in the cupboard. I rose and thanked her, saying: "I'm delighted to think that Charlie will escapo a very disagreeable affair. Ifs fortunate he wasn't; here to receive that letter." And I'm glad, too. When he returns I'll ten him how you came here, and what you said What name shall I give him ?" "Will iiius-Hirry Williams," I answered. lie will know." Then as I walked round to the window I examined the room quickly, but to my disap- pointment saw that there were no photographs. He might, I thought keep the portraits of some of his friends upcn the mantelshelf, like so many men do. Was this Denton one of the conspira- tor I wondered ? His absence without an ad- dress for four months caused me to suspect that he was. Just as I had given her my assumed name, somebody knocked at the door, and she went to open it. Next instant a. thought (lashed across io me. Should I take that letter? It was a theft—that I recognised, yet. was it not in the interests of justice? By that communication I might be able to establish the dead man's identity. There was not a second to lose. I decided at once. I heard the woman open the door and speak to someone, then swiff as thought I opened. the cupboard, glanced at the packet of letters, and with quickly-beating heart took the one which bore the Blandford post-mark. In a moment it was in my pocket- I re-closed the cupboard, and sprang to the opposite side of the room just as the good woman re-entered. Then, with profuse thanks and leaving kind messages to the man of whom I spoke so fami- liarlv as "Charlie," I took my leave and hurried along the broad road into Salford, where I jumped upon a tram going to the Exchange. I was in the train alone, in a third-class com- partment. travelling north to Carlisle, before I dared to break open the letter. When I did so I found within a scribbled note in cipher written on the paper of the Bear Hotel. at Devizes. After some difficulty, with the aid of the key which the writer had evidently used in penning it, I deciphered it as follows:— Dear Denton,— saw you in the smoking-room of the Mid- bitd at Bradford, but for reasons which you know, I could not speak. I went out, and on my return you had gone. I searched, but could not find you. I wanled to tell you my opinion about lillice and his friend. They are not playing a straight game. I know their intentions. They mean to give us away if they can. Sybil fears me. and will pay. I pretend to know a lot. Meet me in Chichester at the Dolphin, next Sunday. I shall put up there, because I intend that she shall see me. Come and help me. for I shall have a good thing on, in which you can share. She can always raise money from her sister or her mother, eo don't fail to keep the appointment. Ellice has already touched a good deal of the Scarcliff's money from young Jack, and I now mean myself to have a bit. She'll do anything to avoid scandal. It's a soft thing-so come.— Yorars, R.W. The dead man was, as I had suspected, one of the gang, and he was a blackmailer. He had compelled her to meet him and had made demands which she had resisted. Yes—the letter was the letter of a barefaced scoundrel. I clenched my hands and set my teeth. Surely I had done right to endeavour to protect Sybil from such a band of ruffians. Once I had pitied the dead man, but now my sympathy was turned to hatred, lie had written this letter to hiss friend Denton, suggesting that fil- latter tihould assist him in his nefarious scheme of blackmail. lie confessed that he pretended to know a. lot. What did he pretend to know, 1 won- dered. Ah! if only Sybil would speak—if only she would reveal to me the truth. Yet. after all how could she when that, man. the fellow who had written that letter, had fallen bv her hand? "The letter at least showed that her enemies 41ad been and were still unscrupulous. AN-inslok,, now, was ready to send her to her grave, just as I had been sent—because. 1 had dm<-d to come bet ween the conspirators and tlH-ir victim. And vet she trusted Nello— whoever t h, follow was. Who was the man- Denton, I wondered? A friend of the my-terious .R.Y. without a. doubt, and a malefactor like hiins-Jf. I placed my finger within the linen-lined envelope, and to my surprise found a second piece of thin blue paper folded in hi It. Eagerly I oponed it and saw that it was a. letter written in plain English in bad ink, and to faint that v/iih difficulty I read the lines. It 7<J4. in the the ff same ealigraphy as thai upon the envelope. I read tho lines, and so extraordinarv were they tliat I sat back upon the seat utterly bcwilderetl. What was written there complicated the affair more than ever. The problem admitted of no section, for the mystery was by those written lines rendered deeper and more inscrutable than before. Was Syhil, after all, playing me false? I held my breath as the grave peril of thfil situation came vividly home to me. Yes—I had trusted her; I had believed her jj She had fooled me! i" (To. be Continued). ■