The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-01-14

Carriston began 10 question me, but
Brand stopped him. You promised
should make inquiries first he said.
Then he turned to me:
Look here, Richard" when he calls
me Richard l know he is fearfully in
earnest-'1 believe you have brought
aus down on a fools GRAND; but let us
go to some place where we can talk to,
gether for few minutes.
| led them across the road 20 the Rail
way Inn. We entered i room, and hav-
ing. for the sake of appearances, or.
dered little light refreshment, told the
waiter TO shut the door from the out
side. Brand settled down with the air
of a cross-eXam;ning counsel. l ex-
pected TO see Inn pull out New Tesla
ment and put ne on my oath.
Now, Richard he said, before
we 90 further | want to know YOUR
reasons for thinking this man, about
whom you te.egraphed, is CarristOn' 5
man, as you call him"
Reasons, Why, of course he is the
man. Carriston gave me his photo
graph. The likeness is indiSputa5le-
leaving the finger joint out of the ques-
ton
Here Carriston looked at my cross
examiner triumphantly. The meaning
of that look | have never to this hour
unders. ood. But l laughed, because |
knew old Brand had for once made a
mistake, and WAS going to be called to
account for it. CarTiston was about
to speak, but the doctor waved him
aside.
Now, Richard, think very careful
ly. You speak of the missing finger
joint We doctors know how many
people persuade themselves into all
sorts of things. Tell me, did You no.
tice the likeness before you saw the
mutilated finger, or did the fact of the
fingers being mutilated bring the like
ness to your mind?''
Bless the mani" said; lone would
think | had no eyes. tell you there is
no doubt about this man being the
original Of the photo"
Never mind-answer my question. :"
"Wcll. then, | am ashamed to con-
fess it, but | put the photo in my peck
ct, and forgot all about it until l had
recognized the man. and pulled out the
likeness 10 make sure. | didn't even
know there was a printed description a.
the foot, nor that any member was
wanting. Confound it, Brand, I'm not
such duller rs you think
Rrand did not retaliate. He turned
to his friend and said, gravely: ITO
me the matter IS inexplicable. Take
your own course. as | promised you
should. " Then lie sat down. looking
deliciously cTest-fallen. and wearing the
disconnected expression always natural
to him when wOrsted in argument
1t was now Carriston's turn. He
piled me with many questions. In fact,
/ gave him the whole history of my adj
venture.
What kind of house is it?'' he
asked
Better than a cottagc-scarcely
farmhouse. a place, l should think,
with few miserable acres of bad land
belonging to it. One of those wretched
little holdings which are simply curses
30 the country"
He made lois of other inquiries, the
purport of which | could not then di-
vine. He seemed greatly impressed
when | tod him that the man had new
er for moment left me alone. He shot
second glance of triumph at Brand,
who still kept silent. and looked as if
all the wind had been taken out of his
sails.
How far is the place." asked Carris-
ton. Gould you drive me there after
dark"
At this question the doctor returned
to life. What do you mean to do?'
he asked his friend. Let us have no
nonsense. Even now | feel sure that
Fenton is mis;ed by some chance re-
semblance-"
Deuce bit, old chap said.
''Well. whether or not, we needn't
do foolish things. We must 90 and
swear information, and get a search
warrant. and the assistance of the po-
lice. The truth is, Richard" he con-
tinued. turning to me, I'VE have reason
to believe, or | should say Carriston
persists in fancying. that a friend of his
has for some time been kept in durance
by the man whom you say you recog-
nized"
Likely enough" said. "He
looked villain enough for anything up
to murder"
Anyway, said Brand, 1--WE must
do everything according to law.
Law! l want no law" answered
Carriston. Il have found her. as
knew | should find her. | shall simply
fetch her, and at once. You can come
with me or stay here, as you like, doc
tor; but am afraid Unjust trouble your
friend to drive me somewhere near the
place he speaks Of.
Foreseeing an adventure and great
fun-moreover. not Unmoved by
thoughts of reyenge-I PLACID myself
entirely at Carriston's disposal. He |
expressed his gratitude. and suggested !
that we should start at once. In a few !
minutes we were ready. and mounted |
the dog-cart Brand. after grumbling |
loudly at the whole proceeding, fin |
ished up by following US. and installing |
himself in the back seat. Carriston |
placed parcel he carried inside the /
cart. and away We went.
1t was now nearly dark, and raining |
cats and dogs. l had my lamps lighted, |
so we got along without much difficulty. |
The roads were deep with mud; but by /
this time the snow had been pretty |
nearly washed away from everywhere.
l don't make . mistake IN 4 road twice, |
so in due course we reached the scene
of my upset. Here l drew UP.
The house lies about FIVE hundred /
yards up the lane" I told Csrriston;
1--WE had better get out here"
What about the hOrse?" asked |
Brand
mo chance of any one passing this
way on such night as this, so let us
put out the lamps and tie him up some
where"
We did so; then struggled on afoot