The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-05-28

mabel" I cried, as I rushed in,
s.what does this meanP''
s.Your wife,, interposed the chief.
blandly, Estates that you are acquainted
with the occupant of room IL, No. 20
Staunton place. Is that fact!''
what about itp'' I asked, appre-
ciating the necessity of gaining some
more information before committing
myself.
..Have you seen the evening paperspn
"No.n
Then said the chief, twill tell you
frankly what want, for believe you to
be man of reputation. The occupant
of room II No. 20 Staunton place, was
murdered last night, and the occu-
pant of room II 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 last?''
felt the ground suddenly slipping
from under my feet. The whole horror
of my situation flashed upon me.
Mabel spoke up:
Frank, she said, sswhen / saw that
number in the paper this afternoon |
knew it was Bancroft | could not keep
silent after such dreadful thing, and
| felt that this was perhaps the way
open to break your connection with
that wretch. So | 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 let
us at least get our skirts clear of this
awful crime''
The chief looked at me fixedly. Under
certain circumstances mans brain
will work like lightning. In an instant
had formulated plan.
Have you aprivate room?" / asked.
Eyes" he replied, .'come this way
"Wait here" I said to Mabel; '.do
not be alarmed. | will tell him all. =
When the chief closed the door of the
inner room / said toshim very calmly.
There is no such man as Bancroft. y
"What?" he exclaimed, starting out
of his professional stoicism.
HE is mere creation of my poor
wife's fancy | replied, sadly.
Explain yourself. y
II will. If you will make the most
trifiing inquiries you will find that no
such person as Bancroft ever existed.
Did she tell you he used to work in
Reeds tea store?"
Eyes, believe she did,"
"Well, inquire st Reed IS and you will
learn that he never had such man in his
employ. The fact is, my wife exhibits
at times certain signs of mental aber-
ration. This imaginary man Bancroft
sir, to keep this secret locked forever
In my own breast, but these circum-
stances force me, of course, to make a
confession of it to you. trust, as gen.
tleman you will not betray this melan-
choly confidence. My physician has
warned me not TO disturb the hallu-
cination, else / would have warned
you in the other room. suppose she
told you, among other things, that
Bancroft once thrust a billiard cue
down clergymaa's throat"
Eyes, she did say something about
that
"Well, how Freposterous that is!
Do you want further proof"
The chief was convinced. II noticed
something queer about her eyes," he
said, grasping my hand sympathetical-
ly. Depend upon me to keep mum. !"
Mabel was anxiously waiting our
coming. ''It is all right, Mrs. Styne, !"
said the chief. "Your husband has
told me every thing and you can go
now: I'm much obliged to YOU"
She cried little on the way home
and wanted to be sure | was not angry.
"Where has that monster gomez" she
asked.
HE has fed" 1 replied, "and will
never bother us again
And he never has. ] keep regular
hours now and hold out my experience
as solemn warning to all those who
mediate going into the creative bust
ness - hie0n0 Tribune