A Detective’s Sketch

by Paul Read

Some ten or twelve years ago (began the narrator), while practicing law in the town of Brighton, I became acquainted with two young men, cousins, named Charles Mason and Ralph Darwin. They were orphans, and had each been adopted when mere boys, by their uncle, a wealthy old bachelor, named Thomas Seymour, and now resided with him in a large house situated on the outskirts of the village.

Charles Mason was a fine, promising young man, about twenty-two years of age, with a frank, generous disposition, and a winning look in his handsome face, and clear honest blue eyes, that at once gained him the friendship of all whom he met. He and I were great friends and were almost inseparable.

Ralph Darwin I did not like near so well. I do not know the reason, but from the first I had conceived for him an invincible dislike, which all my subsequent efforts could not overcome. He was rather handsome, but there was an expression of low cunning upon his sensual features, and a cruel, evil gleam in his small, restless eyes, that instinctively inspired me with distrust for him.

Mr. Thomas Seymour was a man of about sixty years of age. He was, in the main, a good man, and had a kind heart; but he was obstinate and “crotchety,” and was very passionate when thwarted in his desires.

He was very fond of Charles—[indeed], he seemed to care more for him than he did for Ralph—but unfortunately he had set his heart upon his marrying Miss Chester, the only child, an heiress, of a wealthy banker, while Charles was deeply in love with Mary Barton, the daughter of a widow lady in straightened circumstances, residing in the village.

Mary Barton was a very beautiful maiden. Her form was graceful and well-proportioned; her regular features were lighted by dark, blue eyes, and her small well-shaped head was adorned with a wealth of silky brown hair, which… Read More