The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-11-12


energies, after little rest here. than II
you spend your time driving about, and
pacing the dark platform Of IN empty
railway station
felt that be was strongly. Loyalty
interested in The nattss. There was
that in DR.. Shaw's manner, thsrs II
still, should rather say. which inspires
trust, because you feel that there ID no
attempt 1t fsoling you. Some doctors
whom know, worthy men, too, handi-
c1p their earnest moments Of feeling
by making DO difference between their
way of soothing fretful patient and
the reinsurance they convey to q
reasonable man. Shaw's manner Is,
like himself. dependable. He was not
merely trying to coax me to rest, he
felt sure that the repose he recommend
ed would not be in any way prejudicial
to the interests which had at heart.
yielded with the best grace could
muster TO his persuasions, and in .
short time we were seated in his sane
tun. where the smouldering fire, with a
little care, soon gave signs Of cheer
full vitality. There was neat and
choice little supper left upon the table.
You are probably too excited to
sleep just now" said Shaw" % you
may as well eat something"
/ felt, to INV own surprise, no dis
inclination to this proposition.
You see," said Shaw. according
to your idea. there is every reason to
trust Mrs. Hardy's information. II it be
accurate. Plowitz cannot cross to Ant
werp till tomorrow, or rather, as it Is
now past three, this evening. From
Whist l gather Of Miss Fortescue's
character, she is overawed and helpless
and will shrink from making scene
SO long as Plowitz treats her with out
ward Difference.
That was l felt, quiet true. could
imagine the polite cruelty with which
be would speak for her, nisrepresent
her. aud. probably. enlist sympathy for
her, from the very people who, if they
could but read the facts Of the case,
would gladly come between
him and his prey As we
ate . light supper, Shaw
derived from me additional information
upon some points which I had not
previously made sufficiently clear. and
gave me great, and, / could not but
think, reasonable encouragement.
1T is not Plowitz's interest to resort
to desperate measures" he observed.
He evidently hopes in some way to
compel her to consent TO his suit; but
ii we act with discretion. rs well as
with vigour. l do not see that any
actual harm or danger is to be antici-
pated. At any rate. We are ON the
right track"
.Suppose. said /, .sthat note was .
forgery-a trick Of the Basilisk's to put
US ON the wrong track7'
ut would disappoint our hopes. but
it would not make our difficulties
greater than If we had not received
such information. The excellent Rose
bush will have all the railway stations
watched. depend upon it. The grayest
inference. if that note be q forgery. will
be that Miss Beaufoy has discovered
Mrs. Hardy's sympathy with you and
Miss Fortcstcue."
| just as he finished speaking, VIZ
started and looked at one another
There was the sound Of footsteI
crunching the gravel on the drive.
1t came nearer; it mounted the steps
to the door.
Now, who in the name Of wonder, :
said Shaw, .scan this be, at three In tn,
morning?"
The bell was rung by careful hand
and knocking, apparently wit
knuckles. OH the door followed.
THAT must be Anthony" said Shaw
-"thc porter
We went together to open the door
| There, wrapped III thick cloak. stoo
tho porter.
, "Busy work tonight, SIR he said
, coughing, and putting that irony int
his words which mon of his class use a
! 4 safcty-valve for outraged susceptible
ties. "A 'ansom cab brought this, sir
and it's u waiting for an answer ut tn
: gate"
This was small note. which tn
old man handed to Shaw.
..Comc in and sit down, Anthony,
said Shaw, hastily shutting tho door
and pointing to 4 hall-chair.
We returned to the study.
..It's to me-" said Shaw. openin,
the note.
He glanced at it, and handed it i
me.
1t was small note. hurriedly writer
in pencil on thin paper. upon some
rough surface, such as tho cover Of
book.
The writing was like Mary's. How
my heart heat rs read it.
If Mr.. Coplestone has come to you
tell him | am not gone. They arr
keeping me here still. Tho side-gats
will DO open, and Mrs. Hardy will
leave the door unlocked. She ha,
helped me. There is cab waiting
Send him back at once, il he woule
ever see me again. The driver may b
trusted"
That is Just like themw I ex
claimed. The Basilisk has tried to
put US on false scent, and all thu
while Mary is still at Hanover Lodge. =
Shaw looked anxious.
do you know the handwriting" b
asked.
ut is Mary's." said. 81 will CO.
1T may be . trick" said he.
$50 may the other" / answered
"much more probably. Once before
they pretended that she had gone, and
kept her q prisoner. This is only ,
variation of the old trick. The not<
about the Harwich route is clumsy
forgery. It would have sent US of on
4 wild-gooso chase, and meanwhile
Plcwitz could carry her off some Other
way without fear Of interruption"
Shaw seemed impressed,
..You know them better than do. =
"Yes; ! will 60 at once"
perhaps you had hctter." he said
take this with you. It may be useful. y