The Dillon tribune., 1885-10-03
PART THE FIRST.
CHAPTER VIII.


Although Carriston stated that he came "a
me for aid, and, it may be, protection, he
manifested the greatest reluctance in follow.
ing any advice l offered him. The obsti-
macy of his refusal to obtain the assistance
Of the police placed ine in a rredicament.
That Madeline Rowan had really disap-
peared I was, Of course, compelled to believe.
It might even BE- possible that she was kept
against her will in some place Of conceal
ment. In such case it behooved us to take
proper steps to trace her. Her welfare
should not depend upon the Authorizations
and eccentric ideas of man half out Of his
senses with love and grief. all but re-
solved, even at the risk Of FORGETTING Carris-
tons friendship, to put tho whole matter in
tho hands Of the police, unless, in the course
of a day or two, we heard from the girl her.
self or Carriston suggo stod some better plan.
Curiously enough, although refusing to be
guided by me, he made no suggestion on his
own account. He was racked by fear and
suspense, yet his only idea of solving his
difficulties seemed to be that of waiting.
He did nothing He simply waited, as if he
expected that chance would bring what he
should have been searching for high and
low.
Some days passed before I could get q
tardy consent that aid should be sought.
Even then he would not 60 to the proper
quarter; but he allowed me to summon to
our councils man who advertised himself as
being private detective. This man. or one
Of his mon, came at our call, and heard what
was wanted of him. Carriston reluctantly
gave him one Of Madeline's photographs.
He also told him that only by watching and
spying on Ralph Carriston's every action
coul1 he hope to obtain the clew. did not
much like the course adopted, nor did like
the look of the man to whom the inquiry
was intrusted; but, at any rate, something
was being done.
A week passed without news from our
agent. Carriston, in truth. did not seem to
expect any. believe he only employed the
man in Difference to my wishes. He moved
about the house in disconsolate fashion. I
had not told him of my interview with his
cousin, but had cautioned him ON the rare
occasions upon which he went out-of-doors
to avoid speaking to strangers, and my
servants had strict instructions to prevent
any ono coming In and taking my guest by
surprise.
For I had, during those days, opened q
confidential inquiry ON my own account. I
wanted to learn something about this Mr..
Ralph Carriston. 80 asked q man who
know everybody to find out oil about him.
He reported that Ralph Carriston was .
man we'll known about London. He was
married, and had house In Dorsetshire;
but the greater part Of his time was spent in
town. Once he was supposed to be well OF;
but now 1t was the general opinion that
every acre he owned was mortxaged, and
that he was much pressed for money.
But" my informant said, ''there il but
one life between him and the reversion to
large estates, and that life Is poor one. I
believe even now there Is talk about the
man who stands in his way being mad. II
10, Ralph Carriston will get tho manage
ment Of everything"
After this news felt it more than ever
needful to keep watchful eye ON my friend.
SO far as knew there had been no recur-
renee of the trance, and began to hope that
proper treatment would effect complete
cure, when, to my great alarm and annoy
anoe, Carriston, while sitting with me, sud-
denly and without warning fell into the
same strange state Of body and mind az
previously described. This time he was sit
ting in another part of the room. After
watching him for q minute or two, and Just
as was making up my mind to arouse him
and scold him thoroughly for his folly, he
sprang to bis feet, and shouting, LET her
go! Loose her, / say!" rushed violently
across the rooln-so violently that I had
barely time to interposc and prevent him
from coming into contact with the opposite
WALL
Upon returning to his senses he told NE,
with great excitement, that be had again
seen Madeline; moreover, this timo he had
seen man with her-a man who had placed
his hand upon her wrist and kept it there;
and SO, according to Carriston's will rea
soning, became, ON account Of the contact,
visible to him.
He told me he had watched them for some
moments, until the man, tightening his grip
ON the girls arm, underworld, he thought,
to lead her or induce her to follow him some
where. At this juncture, unaware that he
was gazing at \ vision, he had rushed to her
assistance in tbs frantic way have de-
scribed; then he awoke.
He also tod me no had studied the mans
features and general appearance most care
fully with u view to future recognition. AL
these ridiculous statements were made Us he
made the former ones with the air I one
relating simple, undeniable facts-one speak
ing the plain unvarnished truth, and ex-
pectlng full credenCe to b given to his
words.
It was too absurdi too sed! It was evident
to me that the barrier between his hallucina-
tions, dreams, visions, or whatever he chose
to call them, and pure insanity, was now a
very slight and fragile one But before
gave his case up as hopeless determined to
make another strong appeal to his common
sense told him OF his cousins visit to me
of his intentions aud proposition. l beg.
ged him to consider what consequences his
extraordinary beliefs and e1travagant &C
tions must eventually entail He listened
attentively and calmly.
''You sce now," he said, chow right was
in attributing all this to Ralph Carriston-
how right was to come to you, doctor Of
standing, who can vouch for my sanity