The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-09-11
A DETECTIVE VICAR
BY MISS NJ. +. BRADDON.
(CoNTINUED.)
CHAPTER III.

he knew every body. The police were ready
to confide in 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 # Il daily
paper, where he handed in the following ad
vertisement: missing, since November 80,
young lady; when last seen she wore a
Rob Roy tartan shawl brown straw hat
and blue gauze veil Any one affording
information will be 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.
Briargate.
"A man woul hardly make use of another
mans ard unless he hal some business OF
social relations with that other man," re
fleeted 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 pIethoric,
a man who rarely got through business
letter without stopping in the middle to mon
his highly polished Uranium with crimson
silk handkerchief This gentleman was
amable, 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
"How did that young man get hold OF
your cardH asked the vicar ale must have
picked it up iu some Legitimate way, unless
he is among tue number of your personal
acquaintance
MIR. Elsden : i've a supercilious laugh.
al hope my friendships do not lie among
| secret murders s." he said
"Of course, We all hope that, ma urally,
but one can never tell My friend describes
this young man as of gentlemanly appear
nnce and good manners. Good-looking, too,
quite an interesting countenance-pale, with
dark eyes, silky brown mustache-what is
generally called a poetic style of face"
| The Granchester merchant seemed to re.
| tire within himself, and to be absorbed ir
profound thought Presently he gave &
| sigh, and began to mop his polished brow
and the barren arch above it, wherein Nc
| hair had grown for the last decade.
Il don't want to mix myself up in thi.
business he said at last at is sure to Ell
tail trouble
| "As a Christian, as an honest man, yor
ara bound not to withhold any information
that can tend to exculpate the innocent,
| urged the vicar, with some warmth
But how do | know that 1 can give any
such information" demanded Mr. Elsden
| lr- 7 i
may be only putting you on a false scent"
| Better hazard that than withhold any
| thin
81 know absolutely nothing. But YOU,
description might apply to young mar
called Foy, who was in my employment
three years ago"
| "What character did he bear when Vol
| knew himi'
| Excellent He left me of his own accord
/ in order to improve his position. He was
talented young man-firstrate accountant
| good linguist-and / had no situation to Civ,
| him worthy of his talents He left me Il
go to Kibble & Umpleby's, packers, il
Deansgate, as corresponding clerk. l wa
only able to give him seventy-five pounds q
year. He was to have two hundred at Kib-
| ble's. They do great deal of business will
| Spanish America and the French colonies
and they wanted a clerk who could writt
| good French and Spanish"
u Sc. Do you suppose that he is still a
kihble & Umpleby's''
| ~ have not heard the contrary"
"Was this Mr. Foy a native of Grand
chester? H ID he family or friends here!7
No; he was quite alone. | believe be wa
| n French H. r.
that he was descended from some famou
family called De Folk"
81 should be very grateful to YOU if yo
could give me any further information
about this young man"
What kind of information MY acquaini
ance with him never extended beyond mi
| Office. | know that he was clever. He wa
regular in his business habits, AMI I ha
every reason to suppose he was well he
haved. He brought me letter of recon
mendation from a firm at Lyons with whc
| do business | engaged him OH the strengt
of that letter.
81 see; then he was n stranger in Grand
chesterf Something you can tell me, how
ever-the house in which be lodged while h
was in your employment You must hav
known his address them"
Certainly" replied Mr. Eldsden; an
then he put his lips to an ivory mouth piece
and mnrmured some order down a quit,
percha tube
FIVE minutes after ward clerk appeare
with slip of paper, which he laid befor
his employer.
THAT is the address, sir"
Mr. Elsden handed the paper to the vica,
"There it is, sir. You See there is only ON
address, and the young man was with m
nearly two years-an indication of stead
habits, think
mo doubt / dare say Mr. Foy is n mos
estimable person. But must find the DARK
eyed. pale-faced young man who gave you
card to my friend; and whether / find hir
in Mr.. Foy's shoes or in anybody elses, L
make it rather hot for him"
And with this unchristian speech IL
vicar took leave of Mr.. Elsden