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"<sc>Singular Tragedy</sc>.--An extraordinary occurrence is reported from
Throckham, a small village within fifteen miles of London,
involving a tragic fatality that has led to a charge of murder. On
Thursday evening an old barn, for some time disused, was discovered
to be on fire, and it was only by extraordinary exertions on the
part of the villagers that the fire was extinguished. Upon an
examination of the place yesterday morning the body of Mr. Victor
Peytral, a gentleman who had lived in the neighbourhood for some
time, and who had been missing since shortly before the discovery
of the fire, was found in the ruins. The body was burnt almost
beyond recognition, but not so much as to conceal the fact that the
unfortunate gentleman had not perished in the fire, but had been
the victim of foul play. The throat was very deeply cut, and there
can be no doubt that the murderer must have fired the barn with the
object of destroying all traces of the crime. The police have
arrested Mr. Percy Bowmore, a frequent visitor at the house of the
deceased."
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"My telegram," said Hewitt, "is plainly from a relative of this Mr.
Peytral who is dead--perhaps a daughter, since she speaks of being
unable to leave her mother. In that case, probably an only child, since
there is no other to leave."
"Unless the others are too young," I suggested.
"Just so," Hewitt replied. "Well, Brett," he added, "to-day is
Saturday."
Saturday was, of course, my "off" day, and I understood Hewitt to hint
that if I pleased I might accompany him to Throckham. "Saturday it is,"
I said, "and I have no engagements. Would you care for me to come?"
"As you please, of course. I can guess very little of the case as yet,
naturally, beyond what I have read in the paper; but the subtle sense of
my experience tells me that there is all the chance of an interesting
case in this. That's _your_ temptation. As for myself, I don't mind
admitting that--especially in these country cases, where the resources
of civilisation are not always close at hand--I'm never loth to have a
friend with me who isn't too proud to be made use of. That's _my_
temptation!"
No persuasion was needed, and in due time we set out together.