San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-09-02
VII.

VII.
CarriStOn slept on late into the next day.
Knowing that every moment of bodily and
mental rest was precious boon to him, left
him undisturbed. He was still fast asleep
when, about midday, a gentleman called up
on me. He sent up no card, and | supposed
he came to consult me professionally.
The moment he entered my room | recOg-
nized him. He was the thin-lpped, gentle
manly person whom had met on my journey
to BOurnemOuth last spring-the man who
had seemed so much impressed by my views
on insanity, and had manifested such inter
est in the description had given-withOut
mentioning any name-Of CaTistOn's pecu-
liar mind.
should have at once claimed acquaint-
anceship with my visitor, but before could
speak he advanced, and apOlOgized grace
fully for his intrusion.
you will forgive it" he added, ''when 1
tell you my name is Ralph CamiSton."
Remembering our chance conversation, the
thought that, after ALL Charles CarristOn'S
wild suspicion was well-fOunded, flashed
through me like lightning. My great hope
was that my visitor might not remember my
face as | remembered his. | bowed cOldly
but said nothing.
Il believe DIR. Brand" he continued, you
have a young relative of mine at present
staying with yOu?"
YES, Mr.. CarristOn is my guest" 1answer-
ed. I'VE are old friends"
"Ah, did not know that. do not remem-
Der having heard him mention your name as
a friend But as il is so, no one knows bet
ter than you do the unfortunate state of his
health. How do you find him to-day-viO-
lent?'
pretended to ignore the mans meaning,
and answered smilngly, Violence is the
last thing should look for. He is tired out
and exhausted by travel, and Is in great dis
treSs. That believe, is the whole Of his
complaint"
Yes, yes, to be sure, poor boy. His sweet
heart has left him or something. But as
doctor you must know that his mental cOndi-
ton is not quite what it should be. His
friends are very anxious about him. They
fear that little restraint | hope
must be put upon his actions. l called To
ask your advice and aid"
sin what, Mr.. CarTistOnY'
''In this. A young man can't be left free
to go about threatening his friends lives. l
have brought DR.. Daley with me-yOu know
him of course. He is below in my carriage.
| will call him up, with your permission. He
could then see poor Charles, and the needful
certificate could be signed by you two doc
tors"
Mr. Carriston," | said, decidedly, "let me
tell you in the plainest words that your cOus-
in is at present as fully in possession of his
wits as you are. DR.. Daley-whOever he
may be-cOuld sign no certificate, and in our
day no asylum would dare to keep Mr.. Car
rstOn within its walls"
An unpleasant sinister look crossed my list
ener's face, but his voice still remained bland
and suave. 81 am sorry to differ from you,
Dr. Brand" he said, but know him better
than you do. have seen him as yOu have
never yet seen him. Only last night he came
to ne in frantic state. l expected every
moment he would make murderous attack
on me-"
Perhaps he fancied he had some reasons
for anger" said.
Ralph CarristOn looked at me with those
cold eyes of which his cousin had spoken.
''If the boy has succeeded in converting you
to any of his delusiOns can only say that
doctors are more creduous than fancied.
But the question is not worth arguing. You
decline to assist me, so | must do without
you. GOod-morning, DR.. Brand"
He left the room as gracefully as he had
entered it. remained in state of doubt
1t was curious that Ralph Carriston turned
out to be the man whom | had met in the
train; but the evidence offered by the coinci-
dence was not enough to convict him of the
crime of endeavOring to drive his cousin mad
by such far-fetched stratagem as the inveig-
ling away of Madeline Rowan. Besides,
even in wishing to prove Charles Carriston
mad, he had much to say on his side. Sup
posing him to be innocent of having abducted
Madeline, CarristOn's violent behavior on the
preceding evening must have seemed very
much like insanity. In spite of the aversion
with which Ralph Carriston inspired me, l
scarcely knew which side to believe.
CarTiStOn still slept; so when out on my
afternoon rounds left note, begging him
to remain in the house until my return.
Then found him up, dressed, and looking
much more like himself. When l entered
dinner was on the table, so not until that
meal was over could we talk unrestrainedly
upon the subject which was uppermost in
both our minds
As soon as we were alone turned toward
my guest "And now" l said, 1--WE must
settle what to do. There seems to me to be
but one course open. You have plenty Of
money, so your best plan is to engage skilled
police assistance. Young ladies can't be
spirited away like this without leaving a
trace"
To my surprise Carriston fatty objected to
this course. NO" he said, II shall not go
TO the police. The man who took her away
has placed her where no police can find her.
must lind her myself"
Find her yOurselfl Why, 1t may be
months-years-befor you do that! Good
heavens Carristonl She may be murdered,
or worse-"
81 shall know II any further evil happens
to her-then / shall kill Ralph Carriston."
"But you tell me you have no clew what
ever to trace her by. DO talk plainly. Tell
me all or nothing"
Carriston smiled, very family. mo clew
that you, at any rate, will believe in" he
said. But l know this much she is pris-
oner somewhere She is unhappy; but not,
as yet illtTeated Heavensl Do you think
II did not know this should keep my
senses for an hourT'
"HOw can you possibly know itp'
"By that gift-that extra sense OF what
ever il is-which YOU deride. knew II would