The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-04-07

was relating something at secondhand
yet 1t was certainly Boulger, and not
Cuthbert, who was his companion in the
enterprise
But what was the inference to be
gathered from these uneasy cogitatious?
That the man in the next room was
Bculger, and that it was Cuthbert who
had died abroad Putting the question
to himself calmly in these words, Car
lyon laughed at the absurdity of such
an idea. Sir Lambert might surely be
trusted to know his own nephew, and
Carlyon was bound to admit that he
himself had never doubted his iden-
tity; yet though he endeavored to dis
miss this startling suspicion from his
mind, he thought of Boulger and
dreamed of Boulger, until Boulger's
image arose with painful distinctness
before his mental vision. Reason was
powerless to contend against the strong
conviction which gradually took pos
session of him, and with the early dawn
he rose from his bed, feverish and IN
refreshed, completely carried away by
the idea that it was Boulger who was oc-
cupying Cuthbert's place.
Carly on resolved to put an end to his
doubt without delay. He was n man of
energy and action, and he soon decided
LOW 10 solve the mystery. He knew
cousin OF Boulger's, q solicitor in Lin
coin SLIM fields, who could swear to him
| anywhere. Carlyon resolved TO make an
excuse TO run up to town and bring the
solicitor down with him. Sir Lambert
would pardon his taking the liberty of
bringing down friend fora day s shoot
ing and, if events turned out as he
feared, and thank him for the action.
CarlyOn soon found, however, that he
had not the patience to wait till break
fast time and inform Sir Lambert of his
departure. At six o'clock, therefore, he
descended quietly TO the stables, and
asked to be driven to the station imme-
diately, in order to catch the early ex-
press, which could be. stopped by sig
nal. He arrived there some minutes
before the train was due, and was Just
writing few lines to Sir Lambert to ex-
plain that he had to go to London unex-
pectedly, and would return later in the
day, when one of the grooms from the
hall galloped into the station-yaId and
handed him a note.
" From Mr.. Cuthbert, sir, said the
man, breathlessly. He said | was to
try and stop you"
The note was hurriedly written in pen
Gil on half,sheet of paper, and ran
thus:
You need not take the trouble know
what is on your mind. Come back and all
doubts will be removed"
There was neither signature nor in
scrlptiOn to this strange communion
ton, and Carlyon questioned tie groom
closely as to whether he had received it
from Cuthbert, and whether il was really
intended for himself. The man, how
ever, was certain upon both points, aud
Carlyon therefore resolved to return,
Driving homeward he speculated vague
ly upon what the note meant. Was it
written in Jest or in earnest, and did it
presage the confirmation of his sus-
piclons or the reverse? Not wishing to
make any unnecessary fuss, Carlyon
alighted at the entrance lodge and
walked quietly up the avenue to the.
house, as though he were returning from
a morning stroll. On entering the
house he found the hall full of servants
IN great state OF commotioD, and he
soon learned that a dreadful thing had
happened. Mr.. Cuthbert had shot him.
self in the gun-room while in the act of
unloading rifle, and death had been in
Simultaneous.
at is very shocking, Frank, said Sir
Lambert, coming up to him looking
deadly pale, but less affected than Carl
yon would have expected; Il can't im-
agine what the poor fellow wanted to
meddle with the gun for. Doyou know,
Frank, added the baronet, lowering his
voice, 81 noticed a great alteration In
linn since his return. He was not the
old Cuth5ert; in fact, I sometimes had
my doubts whether he was really my
nephew az all. "