The Tragedy of Featherstone (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIII. From Philip Raven To Sir William Wentworth. 'My Dear Sir William, 'The strangest events have occurred since I last wrote to you on Christmas Eve. In that letter I told you that, between then and the new year, I intended to snatch an hour or two occasionally for the purpose of keeping you acquainted with my movements and progress. When I returned home upon that night the plan suggested itself to me of throwing into a kind of diary what I wished to set down; I was much impressed by certain circumstances which promised to lead to eventful developments, and it was for my own satisfaction equally as for yours that I deter mined to carry out the suggestion. I send you now this diary, which will explain itself up to the present date; and I shall briefly say, with reference to the events it records, that it almost seems to me as if I had been led into this neighbourhood by destiny; certainly the past few days appear to me to be the most pregnant in my life. 'Believe me to be, my dear Sir William, 'Ever faithfully and gratefully yours, 'philip Raven.' CHAPTER XXIV. PHILIP RAVEN'S DIARY. 'Christmas Eve. 'This should properly be dated Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve, for it is past one o'clock in the morning. I am sitting alone in my little room, and I am labouring under a strange excitement produced by the adventures which have befallen me since I went out with Freeman at eight o'clock, and posted my letter to Sir William. Not knowing how these adventures may end, it has occurred to me to narrate from day to day what has transpired in connection with them. The advantage gained by this course is that small important details are not so likely to be missed as they would be if a long time were allowed to elapse before they were recorded. 'My busin...