imi ?
10
THE SCBANTON TRIBUNE-SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST? 25, 1894;
4,V. "li
CQPYRKiHTEP
CHAPTER VIII.
Tho drama of "Tho Prodigal Son"
ras enacted over tiffin when I rctununl
to Miirshniinster. My aunt hud p-cnt-ly
resented my sudden departure for lJnr
is and announced that they this time,
intended to Loop 1110 with them fur
Bomo weekd. I had no objection to this
arrangement, as I anticipated a long
and laborious task iu ferreting out evi
dence against Felix. Tho tirst thinpr to
bo dono was to learn all that bad taken
placo in my nbsence, and tho informa
tion was ably supplied by Aunt Jano,
Becoudod by her sister. I inquired about
Briarfiold and his fiancee.
"Bollin Ilall is to bo shut up next
Wook, " said Aunt Jauo. "Tho l'ellius
ore going to town and with them llr.
Briurik-ld."
"I wonder thoy staid hero so Ion,?
When tho season was on in London,"
Baid Annt bophia, "but it was all that
foolish Mrs. lJullin. Sho cho30 to con
sider herself ill and so insisted upon ro
taaining hero. Now sho can't resist tho
attractions of town life any longer and
goes next weok. "
"Sho has to nrrango about tho wed
ding, Sophia. You know it takes placo
in July. I wonder if Mr. Felix Eri;t
fiold will bo back in time to bo b'jst
nau."
"That I can safely say is impossible, "
Baid I dryly.
"Bnt why?" exclaimed both tho old
ladies, scenting news.
"Well, ho has gono to Italy and from
there goes to tho cast," I answered, un
willing to tell tho truth. "I don't seo
how ho can return in timo for tho wed
ding if it takes placo in July. "
My feinalo relatives looked signifi
cantly at ono another.
"What did I toll you, Sophia?" said
Aunt Jane, in a tono of subdued tn
umplL "Ys, sister, you aro right," sighed
Sophia, shaking her head. "Poor young
man! I thought myself he loved Olivia. "
"Who loved Olivia?" I asked sharply.
"Felix Briarfiold," said Aunt Jane.
"When his brother went to America,
ho was always with her and no doubt
loved her dearly. I can scarcely wonder
at that, as sho is so beautiful a girl.
Bnt ho behaved very well, and when
Francis camo back went to tho conti
nent "IIo was nnablo to bear tho sight of
Lis brother's happiness," said Aunt So
phia sentimentally. "Poor young man!
I havo no doubt his heart is broken. lie
actually left JIarshminster before his
brother arrived from America, so as to
spare himself tho painful sight of their
happiness."
I saw by this conversation that wy
BurmisG was correct. Felix had fallen in
lovo with Olivia while his brother was
in America, and selfishly determined
not to give her up had devised tho idea
of passing himself off as Francis. With
this in his mind ho had gouo to Paris
and pretended to stay there, then reap
peared to Marshminster as Francis, al
leging an earlier return from Chilo as
an excuso. When Francis really return
ed, Felix asked him to bo at tho Feu inn
bo as to rid himself of his brother be
fore ho could sco Olivia.
Whether ho intended to kill Francis
or to merely explain matters I could not
tell, but at all events Francis had been
murdered, and I firmly belioved that
Folix was morally guilty of tho crime.
Tho suppression of tho letters, tho sub
stitution of himself as Francis and tho
dexterous manner in which ho had rid
himself of tho corpse, according to Mer
rick's theory, all showed mo that I had
a dangerous and reckless man to deal
With. But after tho clever way in which
he had baffled mo in Paris by resuming
his namo I was prepared for any vil
lainy at his hands. Ho had committed
himself so far that ho could not draw
back and was compelled to follow crimo
by crimo in order to bolster up his po
sition. Ho was going to town with the evident
Intention of ovading me. Doubtless ho
thought that, deceived by tho episode
at tho Hotol des Etrangers, I had quito
abandoned all idea of meddling in tho
affair. But for Merrick I Bhould cer
tainly havo dono so. Now that Merrick
saw tho matter in tho sanio light as
I did I was determined to go on, but
resolved to givo no hint of this to Felix.
Whon he left Marshminster, I could
purtmo my inquiries at leisure. Already
I had boen too rash in revealing my in
tontious, for had I not mentioned my
journey to Paris Felix would not havo
been put on his guard and baffled mo so
adroitly.
I had at least gained ono important
pieco of information, which in itself
was sufficient to break off tho match.
Tho passenger list of tho Copiapo proved
conclusively that Francis had not reach
ed England beforo tho Cth of Juno, and
this shown to Olivia would show that Fo
lix was passing himself off as her lover.
With such proof I could stop tho mar
riago immediately, but preferred to wait
until I gained further evideuco impli
cating him in tho murder of his
brother. I belioved Merrick's theory to
bo truo and quito cxpectud to find that
Felix had ridden out to tho Fen inn for
the purpose of hiding his brother's body
in one of tho bog holes.
"By tho way, " I asked Aunt Jano as
we parted for tho night, "how does
Miss Eollin look? Liko a hnppy bride,
eh?"
"By no moans," replied my aunt sol
emnly. "Sho looks ill and miserably.
But that I know this marriage with
Francis is a lovo match I should say sho
dislikod tho idea of becoming his wife. "
"No doubt," thought I, "no doubt
Olivia mistrusts Felis already."
I said good night to my elderly rela
tive and went off to bed. Instead of
turning in, I Jightcd my pipo and leaned
out of the window, thinking -deeply.
Could it be possible that Olivia had dis
covered the imposture? If so, why did
she tamely submit to marry a man
whom Bho must know was guilty of his
brother's nnd hor Iovor's doath? More
over, if eho was assured of this, sho
j i j r i iss rn
ere. -i -
1804 6r TAC AUTHOR
must ulsohdvo condemned tho deception
nt tho Hotel ties Etrangers. Her con
duct seemed stango, yet I could not
bring myself to believe that sho know
tho truth. If sho did, tho was as bad as
Felix.
"Sho must think that ho is ially
Francis und that Felix is in Paris," I
thought, "Surely sho would not will
ingly go to tho altar with a man whom
sho knows to bo a villain. No! IIo has
thrown dust in her eyes and made her
believe what ho pleases. I must save
tho poor girl from such a fate. Perhaps
in spito of outward semblance sho in
stinctively feels that Felix is not Fran
cis, Women havo their instincts. I
know of no other reason why sho should
look palo and ill. "
My cogitations wero cut short by
Aunt Jano knocking at tho door and
telling mo not to waste tho candles. I
was used to these little idiosyncrasies
of my aunts, so I answered that I was
going to bed and put out tho light at
once, but tho rest of tho night was pass
ed in a wakeful state. Truly I had a
bad attack of detective ferer.
For tho next few days I kept very
quiet, as I was unwilling to rouse the
suspicions of Felix. At length my aunts,
who entertained no suspicion of my de
signs, informed mo that ho had gone to
Lolidou with Mrs. and Miss Bellin.
Tho coast now lieinjr clew, I ventured
out and began to work out my carefully
laid plans.
In tho first place, I went to Bob Fuu
dy to hira a horse. It was my intention
to rido out to tho Feu inn and thorough
ly examine tho rooms, as I fancied Fe
lix might have hidden tho corpso in tho
house. From Fundy I gained a pieco of
unexpected information.
"Want to rido to tho Feu inri, sir,"
said he, scratching his head. "Why,
whatcver's como over that old ruin?
Every one seems to bo going there. "
"What do yon mean, Fnndy?"
"First Mr. Briarlield and now you,-'
said Fundy. "Blest if I can understand
it, though, to 1)0 sure, ho rodo there at
night, and you go in tho daytime. "
"Did Mr. Briarlield go to tho Fen
iun at night?" I asked, seeing I was on
tho evo of learning something impor
tant. I had not forgotten Merrick's
theory.
"That ho did, sir. IIo rodo there two
nights over a week ago."
"Curious, " said I, with assumed care
lessness. "It is not an attractive place.
I daro say he only rode a little way out
of tho town."
"No, sir," said Fundy decisively.
"IIo went to tho Fen inn. IIo told mo
so himself, as I noticed his horse wa3
dono up. Look here," added Fundy,
opening his daybook. "See, on tho
10th of Juno ho had a horso and on tho
I I tli. Bath at night ami did not return
till midnight. "
I mounted my horso and rodo away,
thinking deeply. If Felix had gono to
tho Fen inn "on tho 10th, then I felt
sure that ho had actually murdered his
brother. Hitherto I believed that Strent
was tho guilty party, but now, thanks
to tho evideuco of Fuudy, I saw that
Felix had committed tho crime. IIo
had also ridden to tho inn on tho 11th
in order to conceal tho body. Merrick's
theory was thus proved to bo correct.
Link by link I was putting the chain
together. I had proved that Francis
had not arrived in England till the Cth
of Juno und so made certain of tho
identity of Felix. I had discovered that
Felix was at tho inn on tho fatal night,
and also that ho had concealed tho body.
Now I wished to discover how tho mur
der was committed.
Tho Feu inn was quito deserted and
as evil looking as ever. Iu spito of my
searching, I discovered no signs of tho
dead lxxly of my friend. Tho clothes,
which I had seen folded on tho chair be
side tho bed, wero also gone, and thero
was not tho slightest thing left to excite
suspicion.
"IIo must have hidden tho body iu
tho marshoV I thought after a vain
search. "I'll sco if ho has left a trail. "
Struck by the feasibility of this idea,
I went out at tho front door and exam
ined tho ground. It was moist and mud
dy owing to tho incessant percolation
of marshy water. Tho path leading from
Marshminster was marked confeisodly
with horses' hoofs, so it was quito uso
less to look for a trail in that direction.
Looking from tho door of tho inn, tho
path trended to tho right, bnt on tho
left, whero there was no path, I noticed
hoof marks; also that tho lush grass was
trodden down.
"Hero is tho trail," said I, mounting
my horse, "Ho took tho body to tho
left."
Following tho trail carefully, and it
was plainly discernible owing to tho
dampness of tho ground, I rodo straight
I'oUoulivj the trail carefully.
out for Homo considerable distance The
spungy marsh jetted black water under
tho foot of tho horse, and it seemod as
though I wero in danger of being Llgged.
Nevertheless, as tho trail continued in
front of me, I followed it Whero Felix
could go I could follow. He had evi
dently placed the body of his brother
across his saddlo and ridden with it in
'mm ,mm .
this direction. I wondered at the nerve
of tho scoundrel
Unexpectedly the trail turned off at
riant ancles and led toward a broad
pond of water slimy and sullen in ap
pearance. On tho verge of this tho trail
ceased, and then I kuew that I saw bo
foro mo tho tomb of Francis Briarlield.
Into theso black waters tho murderer
had hurled his victim, and doubtless
if tho pool wero dragged tho body would
bo found. This I determined to do bo
foro taking further steps iu the matter.
"Then, Mr. Felix Briarfiold," said I,
riding back to tho inn, "then wo will
seo how much your astuteness will avail
yon." '
It was lato in tho afternoon when I
got back to tho inn, and tho cold vapors
of tho marsh made mo shiver. As I am
subject to rheumatism, I was afraid of
future sufferings, so, having somo bran
dy in my flask, determined to light a
liro for tho purposo of heating water
and comforting myself with a hot drink.
Thero was plenty of fuel about, and I
had matches in my pocket. I began to
rako the dead ashes out of the dining
room grato when I disturbed an oblong
pieco of flint, which rattled onto tho
hearth.
All ideas of lighting a fire wero for
gotten as I stood with that in my hand.
It was an arrowhead. I handled it gin
gerly, for, I knew well that it was
steeped in poison, and that with this
Francis had been murdered.
I saw at oneo what had taken place.
Felix had arrived and had gouo up to his
brother's room. Holding tho flint with
tho raznrliko edgo outward, ho had
shaken hands with his brother and so
wounded him. A quarrel had ensued,
but Francis, not thinking he was poi
soned, never dreamed of his danger.
Then lie had fallen dead, mid Felix,
placing tho body on tho bed, had re
turned to tho dining room and flung
tho poisoned arrowhead into tho fire.
Tho most astounding thing was that I
had not been awakened by tho outcry
of Francis, but I supposo I was quito
worn out by my walk and in too deep a
ftleep. Nevertheless it was strango that
I had heard ueithor tho arrival of Felix
nor tho struggle which must havo taken
placo. Possibly I had been drugged.
With this damning pieco of evideuco
in my pocket, wrapped up in paper, for
I feared tho poison for myself, I rodo
back to Marshminster, wondering how
Feliic had hit upon such a terribly in
genious fashion of removing his broth
er. So far as I know, he had not traveled
much and would not bo likely to havo
any savago weapons in his possession,
yet ho could not havo owned n flint ar
rowhead iu tho ordinary runof things.
This puzzled mo greatly.
I returned the horso to Fundy with
out making any remarks, and thorough
ly tired out went early to rest, still
puzzling over that arrowhead. Beforo
dawn I solved tho mystery. In tho en
trance hall of tho Bellins' houso a per
fect armory of savago weapons was ar
rayed against tho wall. Thero wero
clubs, arrows, bows, mats and grinning
heathen gods. -Doubtless Felix, know
ing tho arrows to bo poisoned, had tak
en tho flint head of ono in order to put
his brother to death. As early as I
could I went to Bellin Hall to satisfy
myself on this point.
Tho hall was a show place, as it pos
sessed a fino picture gallery, so I had
littlo difficulty in gaining admission
from tho woman in charge. Requesting
permission to examine tho warriorliko
implements patterned against tho hall
wall, I narrowly observed tho arrows.
It was as I thought ono of tho arrows
was missing, and Felix had stolen it iu
order to kill his brother. I did not tako
much interest in tho pictures after such
a discovery, and tho talk of tho house
keeper fell unheeded on my ears. Fi
nally I gavo her a sovereign and left tho
house, impatient to bo alono and think
over my discoveries.
I had now sufficient evidence to provo
that Felix had killed Francis and suf
ficient to warrant having him arrested.
If the pool were dragged, the body would
bo found with tho ragged wound of tho
flint arrowhead on tho right hand. I
could provo tho finding of tho arrow
head iu tho ashes and how it had been
taken from Bellin Hall Fundy could
givo evideuco to Felix haviitg taken a
horse to tho Fen inn on tho 10th and
also on tho 11th. And altogether tho
evidence agaf.ust Felix was clearly suffi
cient to hang him. Still I did nothing
rashly, and beforo taking further pro
ceedings returned to London to consult
Merrick. His advice, I knew, Vouhl bo
judicious.
CHAPTER IX.
Dr. Merrick was delighted to seo mo
again so speedily nnd assured mo that
ho had thought of nothing elso but the
lono inn crime. Tho peculiar circum
stances of tho easofa.-einateiTliiiu great
ly. ' 'Decidedly I should be a detective, "
ho paid laughingly. "I havo been in
venting all kinds of theories in connec
tion with this matter. By tho way, my
idea of searching the shipping list was
a good one."
"Excellent. You received my let ter?"
"I did, with much pleasure. So Fran
cis did not arrive in England until tho
Cth of June?"
"No! Therefore it was Francis whom
I met at tho Fen inn, who was killed
by his brothi1, and it is Felix who now
passes himself off to Olivia Bellin as
Francis."
"Docs sho not guess tho imposture?"
"No. So far as I can see, sho firmly
believes Folix to bo Francis. You wero
also right about tho hiding Of tho
corpso. ' '
"You don't say so?" cried Merrick,
highly delighted. "Did Felix rido out
to tho Fen inn and hido tho body, as I
surmised?"
"Ho did. T havo tho cvidnnco of tho
Youn aoon health.
if you're a Rufforiiif? wo
man, aeiminds IKx-tor
Pierce's Favorite Pre
scription. There's 113
other nicdicino like it,
for women's peculiar
ills. No nintter how
distressing your symp
toms, it relieves your
aches nnd juiins, and
if faithfully used will
bring a permanent
euro in every chronic
wenknoRS or deronro-
ment, in catarrhal hilKinmntion, and in tho
diq.lorameut.of women. WcHtLihert a
I)n. K. V. Pieuce: Dear Sir-1 enn cheer
fully recommend your valunlile modU ine, tlie
Jruvnnhi Presuriiitlon." to snirerliiff females.
Throe years uro my health oprimin so poor
that I was scarcely alilo to help with the house
hold duties. I was pommmcd to try vour
medicine, nnd I purchased six bottles. 'fhut,
with the local treatment you udvisud, mode
me Btrnnu: and well.
My sister hits used it in tno family with like
EVOUltO
livery stablo keeper to provo that ho
hhvd a horso on tho 11th and did not
return till midnight "
"During which time he disposed of
his brother's body?"
"Precisely. I tracked his horse's hoof
marks to tho pool wherein I am con
vinced tho body lies hidden. "
"Egad I You aro a wonderful man,
Duihani. Did you havo tho pool drag
ged for tho body?" '
"Not yet. I wished to tell you all my
discoveries beforo doing so."
"Many thanks. I am so interested in
this caso that it is a great pleasure for
mo to follow it step by stop. "
"I wish no thanks from you, Merrick, "
said I heartily. "It is rather tho other
Way, as your reasonings havo led mo to
theso important discoveries: First, that
Felix was in Paris; second, that Francis
did not arrivo from Chile till this month,
and, third, that Felix himself hid tho
corpse. By myself I should never havo
discovered so much. But I have mado
ono most famous discovery."
"Yes? And that is?"
"I know how tho crimo was commit
ted nnd by whom. "
"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mer
rick in much excitement. "Havo you
seen SlTont?"
"No. It was not Strent who killed
Francis Briarfiold." I
"You don't mean to say is was Rose
Strent?"
"No. It was Felix himself. 1 '
Merrick uttered an exclamation of
surprise und remained silent for a few
mi'.iutes.
"liut you said yourself that Felix
never camo to thu inn on that night,"
ho objected.
"So I thought, but it appears that I
was mistaken. Fundy, tho livery stablo
keeper, tld mo that Folix hired a horso
from him on tho 10th and 11th of June.
On both occasions ho did not return till
midnight. Now, Francis was murdered
on tho 10th, and his corpso disappeared
on tho 11th. Felix is therefore respon
sible for both tho murder and tho con
cealment of tho body. "
"That is purely circumstantial evi
dence." I laid down tho arrowhead on tho
table.
"This is proof positive," I said tri
umphantly. "With that pieco of flint
Francis was killed."
"Really," said Merrick skeptically,
picking up tho arrowhead. "With such
a clumsy instrument ho must havo bun
gled tho job considerably. "
"Not at all. That arrowhead is steep
ed in virulent poison."
"Tho deuce!" cried Merrick, drop
ping it hastily. "Why did you not
warn mo of its danger? I might havo
cut myself and gono tho same way as
poor Francis Briarlield. How do you
know tho murder was so executed?"
"I told you about tho discolored
wound in the palm of tho right hand."
Merrick nodded.
"Well," I continued, "that was tho
causo of death, as thero was neither
scratch nor violcnco on any other part
of tho body. I picked up that arrow
head in tho fireplace of tho dining room
f.tho Fen inn, whero it had doubtless
teen thrown by Felix after tho com
mittal of the crime."
"Whero did ho get tho arrowhead?"
"That is just what puzzled mo for a
long time. Fortunately I remembered
that tho entranco to Bellin Hall was
decked with a perfect armory of savago
Weapons. I mado an excuso of looking
at tho pictnro gallery and so gained ad
mission to tho hall."
"Did yon find anything likely to con
firm your suspicions?"
"Yes. I found that an arrow had
been removed from tho wall."
"How could you tell that?"
"Becauso tho weapons wero arranged
in patterns, and ono of tho patterns was
incomplete. Moreover, on comparing
that arrowhead with those on the wall
I found it was precisely similar iu ap
pearance. "
"Humph," said Merrick thought
fully. "Thero is only ono deduction to.
be taken from all this. Felix stolo tho
arrowhead, and knowing it to bo poi
soned rodo to tho Feu inn to kill his
brother. Ho is n clever scoundrel ' '
"Very clever indeed, ' ' I answered dry
ly. "But for you, Merrick, ho would
havo baffled me altogether. "
"I think yon have him this time, " said
Merrick, laughing. "Now, what do you
intend to do next?"
"Havo tho pool dragged for tho body
and Felix Briarlield arrested. "
"Beforo doing so it would bo advisa
ble to find I!o.-o Strent or her father. "
"Why so?"
"Because they only cm givo positive
evideuco as to tho committal of tho
crimo. Failing them, Felix may slip
through your fingers."
"They won't show up or givo evi
dence for their own sake."
"In that caso thoy must be found and
forced into confession," f.iid tho doctor
quick!-. "And what about Felix and
Miss Bellin?"
"They aro now in town Mrs. nnd
Miss Bellin iu Swansea squaro and Fe
lix at his chambers in Jermyn street."
"I wonder if Felix is still in commu
nication with Roso Strent," queried
Merrick half to himself.
"It's not impossible. Whatever Roso
Strent was or is, sho is not a waiting
maid. I believo somo guilty bond
unites tho pair, and Roso assisted Felix
in his scoundrelly schemes out of puro
lovo."
"Hardly." responded Merrick. "If
Roso loved Felix, sho would not assist
him to marry Olivia, and by removing
Francis sho certainly did so."
"How would it do to seo Felix at his
chambers and bully him into confes
sion?" "You won't Kiunago that. Your man
is too clever."
"IIo can't do much against tho proofs
in my possession."
' "He'll deny anything. "
"At all events, I'll try, Merrick. This
evening I'll cull on Felix and swear
that I am going to havo him arrested
for tho murder of his brother. That
will bring him to his knees. "
'"It might, and it might not. Better
look for Roso Strent. "
"If any ono knows whoro sho i3 to bo
found, it is Folix. I can't do better than
6eo hi 71."
"Try it by all means, " said tho doctor
doubtfully, "but I'm afraid you won't
get much satisfaction out of him. First
find Roso Strent, havo tho pool dragged
ami tho body found. Thcu, what with
tho evideuco of Fundy and that arrow
hoad, you will havo no difficulty in got
ting a warrant for his arrest. At pres
ent Felix will Bimply order you out of
his rooms."
"I'll run tho risk of that." I answer-
cd and shortly afterward took my do-
nurture,
' 1
I could not now complain of lack of
interest in my life. It took me all my
time to keep tho many details of this
case in mind. There was no doubt that
I had already solved the mystery, and
that Folix was guilty of his brother's
death. Yet, as Merrick said, it would
bo necessary to find the body aud thus
establish conclusivo proof of tho crimo
boforo the murderer conld bo convicted
When this was dono, the evidenco in
hand would be sufficient to insuro his
condemnation. For my part, I believed
that ho would bo driven into a corner
and forced to confess his complicity in
tho crimo.
Firmly convinced of this man's guilt,
I was determined ho should not marry
Olivia. Tho crimo had been committed
for her sake, and seeing that lie had be
haved in so cowardly a fashion it was
a fit retribution that ho should not
achievo his purpcKe. It was no uso to
warn Olivia as to tho truo character
of Felix, as sho firmly believed him to
bo Francis and would doclino to believo
my story. Under those circumstances I
judged it advisable to sco Felix at his
chambers nnd warn him that I knew
all. Terrified by tho predicament in
which ho found himself, ho might leavo
England, and thus Olivia would bo
saved from lifelong misery. His punish
ment for tho erimo would occur later
on, as, notwithstanding his flight, ho
could bo arrested on tho continent while
extradition treaties wero in force.
After dinner I thereforo went to call
on Felix. His rooms wero in Jermyn
street, and as initio wero just around
tho comor in Duko street I had not far to
go. My visit was paid ou tho chance of
finding him in, as I did not wish to put
him on his guard by notifying him of my
wish for an interview. As the twins, in
spito of constant disagreement, occupied
tho samo rooms, I could not but wonder
at tho nervo of Folix iu coming back to
tho apartments whero every familiar
object would remind him of his fratri
cidal act.
It was just at 8 o'clock when I reach
ed tho door of tho chambers. At the foot
of tho stairs I found tho caretaker on
sconced in a glass box liko an insect.
To him I addressed myself. Ho was an
old friend of miuo and rather an oddity
in his way.
"Is Mr. Briarfiold within?"
"Mr. Francis Briarfiold is iu his
rooms," said tho caretaker, "but Mr.
Felix is iu Paris. "
Of courso I guessed that this would
bo tho answer and secretly admired tho
dexterity with which Felix had carried
out his plans. Doubtless in tho end, wheu
his brother did not return, or rather
when his pretended self did not reap
pear, ho would account fo it by au ac
cident in tho eastern deserts. However,
my business was with Felix, alias Fran
cis, so I mado no comment on tho care
taker's remark.
"Pray tako up my card to Mr. Briar
field, " I said. "I want to sco him at
once."
"I can't tako it up now, "said tho
caretaker civilly. "Mr. Briarfiold is
engaged and gavo particular orders that
ho was not to bo disturbed. "
"Ah, but doubtless ho is engaged
with a friend of initio, " I hiuted am
biguously. "Is tho lady a friend of yours, sir?"
A lady! My thoughts at onco revert
ed to Roso Strent, but tlui tho chaucos
wero that it might bo Olivia.
"Yes. Miss Bellin."
"That's tho young lady, sir, to whom
Mr. Briarfiold is engaged?" asked tho
caretaker, who was a confirmed gossip.
"Yes."
"It is not her, sir. I know her well
by sight, as sho has been hero with Mrs.
Bellin. It's another lady. "
My snrmiso was right, and I felt con
fident that whilo I stood thero Felix
was having an interview with his ac
complice. I could not disturb them, yet
wished to assuro myself of the identity
of Rose Strent. When I found out all
about her, there might bo a possibility
of solving tho mystery.
"Well, no matter," I answered care
lessly, stuffing tho card back into my
caso. "I'll sco Mr. Briarlield another
time. "
"Will you leavo yonr name, sir?"
"No, it doesn't matter. I'll call
about 9 on tho chauco of finding him
in."
Having thus baffled tho inquiries of
tho caretaker, I strolled into tho street,
and taking up my station at tho corner
kept my eyes on tho door. If Roso
Strent was with Felix, sho must cer
tainly como out !n a short time. Then
I intended to follow her up and speak
to Iter if I got a chance. Failing Briar
lield, I might possibly extort a confes
sion from tho weaker vessel.
In about a quarter of an hour tho
woman camo out. Sho woro no veil,
and as it was still fairly light I had no
difficulty in seeing her face. Sho passed
hurriedly by mo in the directum of tho
Haymarkct without observing 1110, and
I recognized her at a glance. It was, as
I thought, Roso Strent and 110110 other.
In placo of tho waiting maid's linen
dress, sho was arrayed in a smart tailor
mado costumo and looked very fashion
able indeed. , Her faco woro a trium
phant expression, as though sho had
been successful with Felix. I guessed
tho interview had beeu for tho purposo
of extorting blackmail With her knowl
edge of his secret Felix was certainly
at her mercy.
Following her up at somo littlo dis
tance, sho went down tho Haymarkct
and turned down ono of tho side streets,
turned oh thero into a dirty alley and
finally disappeared into a swing door
over which was a lamp inscribed with
somo letters. I looked up and saw writ
ten thereon, "Stago door."
"An actress, " said I and went round
to tho front of the theater to inspect tho
play bill. It was tho Frivolity theater,
and they wero playing tho burlesque of
"As You Don't Liko It" Glancing
down tho list of characters, I saw that
Orlando was played by Miss Roso Ger
uon. "A leading lady," I thought, trans
fixed with astonishment "A burlesque
actress doubtloss, in the receipt of a
good salary. What in hoavou's name
took her to tho Fon inn?"
This question I was of courso unablo
to answer, but I grossed it had some
thing to do with lovo and Felix Briar
field. Lcaviug tho mattor ulono for a
fow momenta, I secured a Btall and en
tered tho theater. When Orlando camo
on, I was thoroughly satisfied. Roso
Strent was Rose Goruon, and I had seen
her play the part of waiting maid at
tho Fen inn on tho 10th of June, that
fatal night of tho murder.
to be continued.
Elephant1 Farorlta Xlppli.
Elephnnts aro vurj fond ot gin, bul
Will not touch chaiiiMigne,
I-
SUPERLATIVE AND GOLD MEDAL
The above brand or flour can be had at any of the following merchants
who will accept The Tihbunb flour coupon ot 25 on each one hundred poaad
or flour or CO on each barrol of flour.
Ecrnnton-F. r. Price. Wnsulngton avonue 1
Gold Modal Br.'ina.
Dnnrooro F. P. I'rice. Gold Modnl Tirana.
iJunmoro-F. D. Manloy. Bupurlutlve hnmd.
Uydn Purk CarHon & Davis, Washburn St.
Gold Medal Brand; J.wpU A. lloura,Maiu
avonue, Suporlutivo Bi'tm l.
Grcon Itidgo A.L.Wpunoor.Gold Modal Brand.
J. T.Mi'HhIo, Suporlutivo.
l'rovidi'nco Feunor & CliappollN Main avo
nue, Superlative Brand ;U. J. Gillospij, Y.
Markot utroot. Gold Mudnl Brandl
Olyphant Jumca JirdaiiBuporlatl'e Brand.
PeckvlUa Shaffer & Kilsir Superlative.
Jormvn C. U. Winters & Co. Suporalattvs.
Arcn Dam J ones, ftimpson 'Jo.. uoiil Meilal.
Carliomliile B. 8. Clark, Gold Medal Brand.
Iloncadalo-I. N. Foster Si Co. Gold MedaL
Minooku M. U. Lavolle
LOUIS B. SMITH1-
Dealer in CMse Confections and Frnfe
BREAD AND CAKES A SP3CIALTY.
FINEST ICE CREAM BS
1437 Capouse Avenue.
AU Grades, Sizes and
IROM
Of every description on hand, rrom.pt shipments guar
anteed.
1
Chains, Rivats, Eolts, Nuts, Washers, Turn
buckles, Bolt Ends, Spikes and a full line of
Carriage Hardware.
BITTENBENDER & CO.
Scranton, Pa.
YOU KWOW?
That we will GIVE you beautiful now pat
terns of Sterling SILVER SPOONS and
FORKS for an equal weight, ounce for ounce,
of your silver dollars. All elegantly en
graved free. A large variety of new pat
terns to select from at
307 LACKAWANNA AVENUU
"No star was ever lost we once have seen,
7e always may be what we might have beon,"
A HAPPY PATRON OF
Scranton, Pa.
22 and 23 Commonwealth Buildingj
TRY US.
DUPONT'S
MINING, BLASTING AND BPOUTINO
POWOE
lUnuoHnred at the Wapwallopnn .Mill Lo.
torse county Pa., and at Wii"
mint,'tou, Doluwaro.
HENRY BELIN, Jr,
General Agent (or the Wyoming District.
118 Wyoming Ave., Scranton Pa,
Ihlrd National Bank Building
A OK VPt FS.
TIIOB. FORD, Pittaton, Pa.
JOHN B. 8MITH& PON : Plymouth. P
K. W. MULLIGAN, WUki-BarT, Pa.
Agenta for tho ttopatm Uioinlgal C'on
paoy'i BisU Exutoaiva
from 1h& r. Tribune, Xol,im.
The Hour
"Chicago, Oct 81. Fat first offlcUt
announcement of World's Fair di
plomas on floor has been mada. A
medal has been awarded by th
World's Fair judges to the flour manu
factured by the Washburn, Crosby Co.,
In the great Waahbura Flour Mills,
Minneapolis. The committee reports
the flour strong and pure, and entitle
It to rank as first-class patent flour fox
family and bakers' use."
MEGARGEL
& CONNELL
WHOLESALE AGENTS.
Taylor-JnrtRo Co., Gold Modal; Athsrtoa
k Co., Superlative.
Huvyoa-Lawrimco tUoro Co.. GoM Medal.
Mooin-John McCrindle, Gold Modal.
Uui k h Ur, n-Fraco & Purkor, Hiip3rlaUvei,
r IT,k 8 aU1SlHlt-F- M- n. Oold Modal.
iJaltou-S. E. Flnu & Sou, OHJd Medal Brand.
Nirhol-wu-J. E. Hardinjr.
S avtrly-M. y BlUa A Son. Gold ModaL
I'ai tory vUIe-Charloj Gardner. Gold MndaL
Hopbottoin-N. M. Finn & Hon, Gold Medal.
Oouldaboro-8 A. Adanw, Gold Modal Brand,
Momcow Galea & Cloniontn, Gold Medal.
Lake Arli l James A. llortroe, Gold Medal.
toreetClty-J. L. Morguu & Co., Gold Med
Kinds kept iu Bfcoct.
-IS,
MT. PLEASANT
GOAL
AT RETAIIi
fValef the tout quality far domestic nse,and
ef nil MiKM, dulivered lu any part ot tlie citjl
at lowest tirioe.
Orders loft at my office,
NO. 118, WYOMING ATEVTTK.
Bear room, flnt floor. Third National Bank
or sent by mall or telephone to the mine, will
reoelve prompt attontlon.
Hmwlal contraota will bo made for !
and delivery ot Buckwheat Coal
WM. T. SMITH.
flAJSi3i ! f
I Ptalljm Dtoohoa lion", took, Utatntnl hrm
1 ud lumanriku, or Mnalo RomAdy
pMiNWrov.. COOK HJiSKDI 111, Gklan, Ot.f
JSifiMlMMiMMiMyttMSMilianStfMJMMMHM
Award
MM
c
i