Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-11-20
A DETECTIVE VICAR.
BY MISS NJ. 4.

BY MISS n. 4. RRADDoN.
"a .adv!" cried the cura1e. "inere must
be some mistake. I don't know a creature
in III, town. Pray don't let me- be made a
show of to crafty any ones morbid Curl
osity."
"Lord love you, sir, as if we should do
such a thing! It's all right; the lady's got
an order. She's a relative. no doubt"
The man withdrew into the stonv passage
outside; then came a rustling sound George
Garfield knew well-a sweeping, stately
step. and an elderly lady, gray an I tall and
slim, came quickly in and threw her arms
round his neck.
Mother" cried the curate, show could
you do such a thingg~A&t
"How could I do anything else?" said his
mother, striving heroicallv to be cheerful
"Doyou suppose I was going to stay in LON
don after ! received your letter. The post
brought the letter at seven, Sophia had
trunk packed by hail. past and Jane had a
cab at the door-such good girls, and so
anxious about you! I was at Euston by ten
minutes past eight. and caught the train that
leaves at a quarter past eight. l was at
Milldale half an hour after midnight-too
late to come here. OF course, so I went 10 the
nearest hotel. The chambermaid told me
they were sending you your meals. l felt
quite interested, in them, and ut home with
them directly.",
CHAPTER III.
< :ss- .":ssrAGE THE FIRST.
While George Gulfeld was talking to his
mother the vicar of Freshmead was plodding
up and down the streets of Grandchester,
eager, hopeful, determined to unravel the
tangled skein of the nameless woman's fate.
Who was she? What was shea Had she
actually been murdered, and, if so, for what
reason7 Who was the gamer by her death.
and in what waya
Mr.. Leworthy started at an advantage.
Everybody in Grand chester knew him, and
he knew everybody. The police were ready
to confide III him freely. The local magis-
trates would be glad to help. him. But on
this occasion he was inclined to rely on his
own wits. The police were at work for Mr..
Brockbank's client. If they succeeded, we'll
and good. But the vicar was not going to
work with them.
His first visit was to the office Of a daily
paper, where he handed in the following ad-
vertisement: "Missing, since November 30,
a young lady; when last seen she wore q
Rob'Roy tartan shawl, a brown straw hat
and blue gauze veil. Any one affording
information will DO handsomely rewarded
on applying to E. L., care of Mr.. Brock
bank, so icitor,' Deansgate."
This advertisement Mr.. Leworthy took to
the three local dailies.
HIS next visit wal to Mrs. Elsden, of
Briargate.
"a man would hardly make use of another
mans card unless he had some business or
social relations with that other man." re-
Elected the vicar, as he tramped along,
sturdy in bearing, determined in step. "A
man does not pick up a visiting card in the
street."
He found Mr.. Elsden elderly and plethoric,
a man who rarely got through a business
letter without stopping In the middle to mop
his highly polished Uranium with a crimson
silk handkerchief. This gentleman was
amiable, but not brilliant He had read the
report of yesterdays inquest, and was there.
fore posted in the facts; but he had no ideas
to offer.
allow did that young man get hold of
your cardT asked the vicar. "He must have
picked it up in some illegitimate way, unless
is among the number of your personal
acquaintance.
MI. Elsden gave a supercilious laugh.
u hope. my friendships do not lie among
secret murderers," he said.
"Of course, we all hope that, naturally,
but mi al never tell My friend describes
this young man as Of gentlemanly appear.
ance n good manners. Good-lookinr. too,
quite an interesting countenance-paie, with
dark eyes. silky brown mustache-what is
generally called a poetic style OF f,ce."
The Granchester merchant seemed to re-
tire within himself, and to be absorbed in
profound thought. Presently he gave a
sigh, and began to mop his polished brow
and the barren arch above it, wherein no
hair had grown for the last decade.
II don't want to mix myself up in this
business he said at last. at is sure to en-
tail trouble"
"As a Christian, Us an honest a you
are bound not to withhold any information
hat can tend to excul"ate tho innocent"
urged the vicar, with some warmth.
"But how do I know tina. l can give any
such information" demanded Mr.. Els len,
testify. "1f I give utte"ance to my ideas /
may be only putting you on q false scent"
"Better hazard that than withhold any.
thin"
II know absolutely nothing. But your
description might apply to a young M,
called Foy, who was in my employmei..
three years ogo."
"What character did he bear when you
knew him?"
Excellent. He left me of his own accord,
i'll order to improve his position. He WIS a
talented young man-firstrate accountant,
good inguist-and l had no situation to give
hinl'wor'hv of his talents He left mo tc
go to Ki'ble & Umpleby's, packers. in
Deanseate. as corresponding clerk. I wa:
only able to Civ. him se%venty-ive pounds q
year: He was to have two hundred at Kib-
ble's. They do a great deal of business with
Spanish America and the French colonies,
and they wanted a clerk who could write
good French and Spanish"
I SCI. Do you suppose that he is still al
Kibb!e g.. Unpleby's?"
II have not heard the contrary"
"Was this Mr.: Foy a native of Grand.
chester? Had he family or friends here?"
NO; he was quite alone. I believe he wa.
of French extraction. He used to boast
that he was descended from some famou.
family called De Folk"
Il should be very grateful to you if YOU
could give me any further information
about this young man."
What kind of information Ny acquaint
ance with him never extended beyond my
office. ! know that he was clever. He wa.
regular in his business habits, aud 1 hai
every reason to suppose he was well be.
haved. He brought me a letter of recon-
mendation from a firm at Lyon; with which
do business. I engaged him on the strength
Of that letter."
Il see; then he was a stranger in Grand
chestera Something you can tell me, how
ever-the house in which he lodged while b.
was in your employment You must hav.
known his address then"
Certainly" replied Mr.. Eldsden; ant
then he put bis lips to an ivory mouth. piece