The squire was in the park much earlier than was his wont, and he was accompanied by his daughter and Miss Chain, who was better in health, though she appeared to be very quiet and thoughtful.
Doctor Peters was about this time entering the lower gate of the park, and he went up to those who were grouped near the balloon and congratulated his patient on being out so early, and as breakfast time was drawing near, and the postman was observed on his way to the Hall, it gave him a good excuse to accompany the party back, and to look at the aeronaut’s head. When the examination was over, and a favourable report given, the squire, who had a local morning newspaper in his hand, said,—
“You had better sit down with us, Peters, for I have just caught sight of an article about the balloon descent at Wedwell Park. This is what they say:—
“‘An ascent of an apparently scientific character was made a few days since from Sydenham by an amateur aeronaut, whose name has not transpired, accompanied by an officer in the mercantile marine and a young lady, about whom a great deal of interest had centered, in consequence of her having been defrauded, as it is alleged, by a swindling financier, not unknown, too, at a certain Hall in Sussex, and in other parts of the country. It is also rumoured that the young lady, as well as the amateur aeronaut, had been shadowed and annoyed for some time by the same financier in the neighbourhood of the Crystal Palace.
“‘The aeronauts were at one time in Essex, but owing to a strong upper current of a north-easterly kind, they were driven towards the south coast, when they dropped on the estate of a highly-respected Sussex squire, where the balloon, to please the latter, made some captive ascents. Then a strange thing happened, for on the occasion of the last ascent, when the squire’s daughter was in the car, a rifle was discharged at the amateur aeronaut, the missile passing through his hat and wounding him on the head. The squire’s medical attendant pronounced the wound not dangerous, but the question of motive suggested itself, and there is reason to conclude that the attack was made by none other than a flighty financier, assisted probably by a confederate. Colour is given to this supposition, as this “gentleman” did not keep his appointment of dining with the squire.
“‘The last information we had was to the effect that the fugitive financier and his servant were wanted.’
“I am truly glad that the report stops there,” exclaimed the squire.
“And that no names are mentioned,” added Miss Dove.
“Nor the precise locality,” said Miss Chain.
“Still,” cried the squire, “Falcon hasn’t a leg to stand upon; and now, doctor, you are at liberty to say what you like, but mind what you do say, in case you have to eat your own words.”