THE NOTTING HILL MYSTERY.
By
CHARLES FELIX
The Novel as it appeared in the magazine "Once A Week"
(November 1862 - January 1863)
CONTENTS
SECTION I. THE CASE.
SECTION II.
SECTION III.
SECTION IV.
SECTION V.
SECTION VI.
SECTION VII.
SECTION VIII. CONCLUSION.
[It is unnecessary for us to state by what means the following paperscame into our hands, and it would be no compliment to the penetrationof our readers if we indicated beforehand the nature of the mysterythey are supposed to unravel. It will, however, require a very closeattention to names and dates to comprehend the view of the compiler, asto the case he is investigating; and, so far, it is requisite to relyon the reader's patience and discernment. The whole particulars of thecase will extend to some seven or eight numbers of "Once a Week" andsome things which are dark at first will appear clearer in the sequel.If the compiler has really discovered a new species or description ofcrime, it is natural that the evidence of it, which is circumstantial,should be somewhat difficult of acceptance. The illustrations aresimply added to make the reader's task more agreeable, but, of course,it is not pretended that they were made simultaneously with the eventsthey represent.]
Mr. R. Henderson to the Secretary of the —— Life AssuranceAssociation.
"Private Enquiry Office, Clement's Inn,
"GENTLEMEN, "17th Jan, 1858.
"In laying before you the extraordinary revelations arising from myexamination into the case of the late Madame R**, I have to apologisefor the delay in carrying out your instructions of November last.It has been occasioned, not by any neglect on my part, but by theunexpected extent and intricacy of the enquiry into which I have beenled. I confess that after this minute and laborious investigation Icould still have wished a more satisfactory result, but a perusalof the accompanying documents, on the accuracy and completeness ofwhich you may fully rely, will I doubt not satisfy you of the unusualdifficulty of the case.
"My enquiries have had reference to a policy of assurance for 5000l.,the maximum amount permitted by your rules, on the life of the lateMadame R**, effected in your office by her husband, the Baron R**, andbearing date 1st November, 1855. Similar policies were held in the—— of Manchester, the —— of Liverpool, the —— of Edinburgh, andthe —— of Dublin, the whole amounting to 25,000l.; the dates, 23rdDecember, 1855, 10th January, 25th January, and 15th February, 1856,respectively, being in effect almost identical. These companies joinedin the instructions under which I have been acting; and, from thevoluminous nature of this letter and its enclosures, I shall be obligedby your considering my present reply as addressed to them conjointlywith