Of the girl and her past they knew next to
nothing, but Hewett's restricted confidences suggested disagreeable
things. The truth of the situation was, that John had received by
post, from he knew not whom, a newspaper report of the inquest held
on the body of Grace Danver, wherein, of course, was an account of
what had happened to Clara Vale; in the margin was pencilled, 'Clara
Vale's real name is Clara Hewett.' An hour after receiving this John
encountered Sidney Kirkwood. They read the report together. Before
the coroner it had been made public that the dead woman was in truth
named Rudd; she who was injured refused to give any details
concerning herself, and her history escaped the reporters.
Harbouring no doubt of the information thus mysteriously sent him--
the handwriting seemed to be that of a man, but gave no further hint
as to its origin--Hewett the next day journeyed down into
Lancashire, Sidney supplying him with money. He found Clara in a
perilous condition; her face was horribly burnt with vitriol, and
the doctors could not as yet answer for the results of the shock she
had suffered. One consolation alone offered itself in the course of
Hewett's inquiries; Clara, if she recovered, would not have lost her
eyesight.
Pages:
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481