The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-24
THE RIDDLE OF THE
RING.
A Roundabout Romance in Three
Chapters. ,
BY W. W. FEM, AUTHOR OF HALF
HOURS OF BLIND MANS HoL-
IDAY," ETC.
CHAPTER III -(CoNTINUED.)

ri was in hopes he had started long ago."
and continued my musing. Presently
my attention was again aroused by the
sound of horses hoots, and looking up, |
saw riderless steed coming brisk ly along
the lane towards the stable-ioor, with his
bride hanging loose. The beast stopped
on reaching the gate, and whinnied for
admission.
'"My messenger has been thrown" |
thought; and as there WAS not creature
about | ran down stairs, called the but
Ter, and told him about the loose horse.
'T am afraid the boy you sent after
the constable has been thrown,"'l added.
"Boy STRIP said the man.; "it were
Mr.. Peters, the groom, | sent"
whoever you sent, his horse has come
back without him. Let us 60 and sec
about it."
'The man led the way to the stable
yard, and was going to the principal
gates, when ! cried:
'"The horse is at the door in the
lanew
"Why, what can that meanT' said the
man, surprised. "Mr. Peters did not 60
that way; no one ever goes out there.
And when the animal, shaking his head,
trotted briskly in, the man appeared
quite bewildered.
"Why, bless me-" he exclaimed, "this
IS Miss Farley's horse! hope the young
lady has not been thrown"
"Miss Farley usually rides on lady's|
saddle, should think" said | "she las
not been riding on this"
"No, of course not, sir; but, then, who
ha =? | must call Williams"
He led the horse to the stable, where
followed him. The first thing that met
my eyes was a hat and habit. In a mo-
ment thought flashed across me-, and /
rushed back to the house, unlocked the
door of the study in which I had secured
my prisoner, and found the window open
and the room empty!
Scarcely had | realized the fact that
Ann Brice had made her escape in the
stable-boy's dress, than I was summoned
to Mrs. Scobe!l; and after we had both
expressed our regret at this catastrophe,
she said:
'"I have acted as you desired, Mr..
Boscombe, and taken possession of this
little desk belonging to my niece. re-
quested her to give me the key, after
briefly telling her of the discovery you
had made; and upon her positive refusal,
/ simply walked away from her with it
under my arm. And as it is the only
receptacle she keeps scrupulously locked.
I have no dou that its contents will
throw light ON this affair, and l beg that
you will Immediately break it OPEN"
'"lt is very unpleasant Office" an
swercd, "but it must be done, and here
now, without any assistance from any of
the servants, as we must on no account
let them suppose that what is going on
has any concern with the young lady"
4 easily pried open the slight lock
with pairof strong scissors and amongst
aquantity of feminine trihes came upon
several bundles of letters, tied with blue
ribbon. They were all undirected, but
on each envelope, in Miss Farley's hand
writing, was date, undoubtedly that on
which each note had been received.
"As she is so methodical," | said, $50
Will we DC, you slldli iooh at eheAi, MIS-
Scobell, in rotation"
We'll, my dear Jack, you can guess
that they were love-letters, beginning
with an earnest request for meet
ings; then showing that meet
ings had taken place, and the
latter ones pointing to the advisa-
bility of an elopement. Very many in
quiries n through the latter part of the
corlespondence--a to the young lady's
WAYS and means, and especially as to
what amount of ready money, jewelry,
etc, she could lay hands on for travelling
purposes. OF course, the expressions of
admiration, alteration and devotion grew
warmer and warmer, whilst constant
reference was made to the services of
"our faithful ally, Ann"
when the old lady had made me ac-
quainted with the main purport of the
letters, examined one myself. 1t, with
the rest bore the signature Of "Jamie, y
and was neither dated nor addressed
but the handwriting? That was not
strange to me, felt certain, the instant
/ looked at it, Yet, where had seen it7
Whose was it? 1t was very character.
istic one, and l had seen it before, !
could swear. I endeavored to recall my
experiences of caligraphy, and in a min.
ute or two ( remembered certain for.
gerry case, in which, about four years ago
] was the attorney for the prosecution
and in which the accused only escaped
by the skin of his teeth. Yes, and this
was the handwriting of that same accused
an adventunr with the shadiest Of
characters, fellow known about town
as James Snow, a good looking, fashy
betting man, with a big black beard
they used to call him "Black Snow"
had then TO compare and narrowly exam
anime lots of bis handwriting, and herr
was some of it, not Il doubt!
i told your aunt my suspicion, my
certainty, and said:
'"This attempt to entrap yonr niec'
into an elopement is simply another O
the mar rascalities incidental to hi
career. Ann Brice is a female accom-
plice, conclusion which her aptitude
Tor disguise and our previous acquaint