The Argosy, Vol. 48

The Village Blacksmith by Darley Dale, serialized in *September 1889*, continues its narrative of intrigue and criminal accusation. Chapter XXV follows Vera Ryot-Tempest as her stepmother, Mrs. Ryot-Tempest, attempts coercion: demanding Vera abandon Captain Raleigh and marry Mr. Hastings in exchange for suppressing both diamond-theft charges and a fresh accusation that Vera shot Mark Brown with intent to kill. When Vera refuses, Mrs. Ryot-Tempest imprisons her in her room and summons police with warrant in hand. However, Vera mysteriously vanishes—a servant reports seeing a nun departing from her chamber, though convent inquiry yields nothing. The Archdeacon, Vera's father, returns early from his visitation to discover police searching his home but his daughter disappeared. The stepmother informs him of the arrest warrant, which he initially dismisses as absurd.