The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-06-09
"You dear, old darling" said Mabel.

that moment, however. she regarded
Bancroft as my bad angel, and hated
him with all the cordiality of indignant
womanhood. Meantime Bancroft had
commenced to haunt me. From being
naturally frank and open disposition,
became pretty naturally vigilant and
alert, fearful each instant that would
betray myself and realizing that each
day put me further from the possibility
OF an explanation. grew prcoccupied,
moody, morose. My nerves, quivering
l looked scared and guilty. The very
name of Bancroft was hateful to me,
and when my wife harped upon him l
felt that l should go mad if l did not
get away. He had become askonish-
ingly real to me, and l felt my person.
ality becoming mixed and meshed with
this myth-this man of air and nothing
ness in q manner that upset all my
previous notions of identity. l almost
believed that l had actually met Ban
croft at some time, or that | was liv-
ing dual existence. In Short, / was
on the verge of lunacy when the climax
came.
One evening when l went home to
supper in my usual perturbed state of
mind there was strange man at my
gate. He had a keen, Ratchet face and
wore a SLOUGH hat.
''Mr. Frank N. Styne, believe"
Eyes, sir"
II am member of the city detective
force. The chief wants to see you at
his Office
"What forp" Igasped.
II don't know. You had better come
down at once"
"An right" / said. my brain in a
whirl. "Walt till 1 60 in and see my
WIFE"
Your wife is at the Office" he re-
piled with peculiar smile.
Shocked and alarmed beyond express
sion. piled him with questions, but
he insisted that he knew nothing of
'the case" as he called it. and hurried
me along The fact that l had not the
slightest idea what Mabel could be
doing at the police headquarters re-
doubled my fears. The chiefs Office
was approached by series Of passage
ways, at the end Of one of which saw,
as in field-glass. room in which
were seated my wife and stout gen.
tleman in uniform, whom | knew by
sight and reputation. Mabel did not
seem frightened. but was very pale and
wore determined look.
"Mabel!' l cried, as / rushed in,
"what does this meanp"
"Your wife," interposed the chief,
blandly, estates that you are acquainted
with the occupant of room II, No. 20
Staunton place Is that a factp"
"What about it?" l asked, appre-
ciating the necessity of gaining some
more Information before committing
myself.
"No."
"Then, said the chief, "Iwill tell you
frankly what ! want, for Ibelieve you to
be man of reputation. The occupant
of room ~ No. 20 Staunton place, was
murdered last night, and the occu-
pant Of room ~ is suspected. We
could not find out who that individual
was, but your wife has been kind
enough to inform us that it is party
named Bancroft, a friend of yours.
We want Bancroft. When and where
did you see him lastp"
/ felt the ground suddenly slipping
from under my feet. The whole horror
of my situation flashed upon me.
Mabel spoke up:
/ Frank" she said, "when I saw that
number in the paper this afternoon !
knew it was Bancroft. l could not keep
silent after such dreadful thing, and
l felt that this was perhaps the way
open to break your connection with
that wretch. So l put on my things
and came down here. 1t was for both
our sakes. o, Frank. tell the gentle.
man all you know of'that man and lei
us at least get our skirts clear of this
awful crime"
The chief looked at me fixedly. Under
certain circumstances a mans brain
will work like lightning. In an instant
had formulated a plan.
"Have you aprivate room?" / asked
Eyes" he replied, ''come this way
"Wait here, l said to Mabel; 'de
not be alarmed. will tell him all"
When the chief closed the door of thu
inner room said to him very calmly.
"There is no such man as Bancroft. y
"What?" he exclaimed. starting ou
of his professional stoicism.
He is mere creation of my poo
wife's fancy" replied, sadly.
Explain yourself"
II will. II you will make the mos
trihing inquiries you will find that nj
such person as Bancroft ever existed
Did she tell you he used to work il
Reeds tea storeP"
"Yes, ! believe she did"
"Well, inquire at Reeds and you vii
learn that he never had such man in hi.
employ. The fact is, my wife exhibit
at times certain signs OF mental aber
ration. This imaginary man Bancroft
is the most noticeable one. l had hoped
sir, to keep this secret locked forever
in my own breast, but these circum
stances force me. of course, to make ,
confession of it to you. trust, as gen
tleman you will not betray this melan
choly confidence. My physician ha
warned me not to disturb the hallu
cination, else l would have warned
; you in the other room. l suppose sh'
told you, among other things, tina
Bancroft once thrust q billiard GU
down clergyman's throat"
"Yes, she did say something absu
that"
well, how preposterous that Is
} Do you want further proof"
The chief was convinced. Il notices
something queer about her eyes," h