The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-05-25

| hct ScCTeJ.
Henshaw's face grew livid, for th,
place in the Customs was life or death tc
him, although he thought no one knew
it. He plucked mp courage, however
aud retorted
| "They want to know what you hay,
done with Mrs. DeGrey."
al believe Mrs. DeGrey has gone tc
the country for her health. OF course
Colonel DeGrey is the best authority or
that subject"
"Lenoir, doubt you are villain.
said voice behind him; and, turning
round, he saw DIR. Heathcote. 81 have
Just seen the Colonel, and he is raging
at the disappearance of his wife. H.
says she went away last night, and nc
one knows where. He was on his way
to your house when l met him."
!" DR.. Heathcote, you jog-trot practi-
tioners Judge by the most superficial
symptoms" said Lenoir, in the loftiest
tone. al shall see the Colonel if he has
returned, and tomorrow l shall take
occasion to request an explanation of
the epithets which you have used, and
the impertinent suggestions of that lit
tie lawyer"
Meantime, with your leave, shall
finish my rubber" III t)OHE
| But the party broke up, and declined
to finish the rubber; and the Magnifi-
cant took his hat and walked slowly
| from the room. His faction retired home
in great discontinue.
Meanwhile Col. DeGrey, in the great
est perturbation, having found his wife
gone on his return, and no trace of her,
| went on to the house of DR. Lenoir. 1t
was large, gloomy mansion, with high
walls, and surrounded by trees; dim,
glimmering light shone over the door,
way. The Colonefs knock was not an
swered at once, and he thought he heard
a window open and shut. At last tie
door was opened by thick-set, power
full man with one eye.I
"1s DR.. Lenoir at home 7" said the
Colonel.
"Yes, sir" said the man. "Be kind
enough to walk in"
Col. DeGrey entered, and followed the
man upstairs. He thought he heard
the outer door locked as he went up.
He was ushered into strange-looking
room, with very little furniture, and a
window at the roof, SO high as to be be-
yond reach. The moment he was in the
room the door was violently shut and
locked, and he was left in absolute dark
ness.
He rushed to the door, ragged and
stormed, beloved at the top, of his
voice, but no answer was returned. Half
an hour had elapsed, and at last trap
in the ceiling opened, and light ap-
peared through it.
1.-THE master be coom,' said voice.
ter shall pay for this !"
"The master be. COON. Wilt so
quoitly % aal oa..t
Another volley of wrath was about to
escape from his lips, when he bethought
him that his better plan would be at
least to feign submission.
81 shall be glad to tell your master
what blackguard he is. shall do that
quietly enough"
On this assurance the trap was closed
and in q few minutes the same one-eyed
man, with a companion of equal strength,
opened the door and invited the Colonel
to emerge. ,.
He saw at once that he would have no
chance in a struggle, and determined to
see the matter out, resolving to use vio-
lence if he could not otherwise escape.
Passing through narrow winding
passage, door opened, and he was
ushered into a well-furnished sitting
room, and there, seated in an easy-chair,
was the imperturbable Magnitic, mt.
The door was closed behind him, and,
looking reund, he could not have told
where it was.
Lenoir motioned to him to sit down;
but giving no heed to the invitation, he
exclaimed
"What is the meaning of this infamous
conduct! Where am z"
"In mad-house," said the doctor,
composedly. ...-..r ....... .....
"And on what pretence have you de-
coyed me here, you scoundrel, and where
is my wife?
Don't you think" rejoined the Mag
your wife die, you had better be mad
for littlet"
"What on earth DO you mean Z" said
the Colonel. But his face blanched,
and he sank into seat.
"Col. DeGrey, l knew you q long
time ago. Do you remember DR.. Ge-
ronimo Spiretti at Padua?'
Gracious God p said the Colonel.
81 was his assistant when you studied
poison under him. was lad of six
teen, but you have not changed. Now
you know ALL"
The wretched man for moment near
ly tainted. He tried to speak, but could
make no articulated sound.
Don't glance at the poker. Killing
me would be your own death. Listen
Iknew from the first, and mistrusted
you from the first, and but for the sweet
woman who Is linked to you, ana who
still trusts you, you should have met the
doom you deserve, as far as l am con-
cerned. But to expose you would kill
her.
81 was certain, from DIR. Heathcote's
account, how the matter stood. knew
you would discontinue your doses while
1 was there. You thought that was the
cause of Spiretti's antidote.
81 knew the attempt would begin when
l was absent. The nurss brought me
the poisoned soup. l have had it ana
lyzed in my presence by two careful
chemists, and the analysis and the sub
ject of it are so bestowed-Drop that !"
he thundered, and dealt DeGrey such a
blow on the arm as to nearly fracture it.
He had attempted to seize the poker. The
pain of the blow was intense for mo
ment, but Lenoir gave him a glass of
brandy, and proceeded: A
"Your wife is where none of Spiretti's