Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-07-23


on the verge of lunacy when the climax
came.
One evening when went home to
supper in my usual perturbed state of
mind there was strange man at my
gate. He had keen, hatchet face and
wore slouch hat.
"Mr. Frank N. Styne, believe"
'Yes, sir."
81 am member Of the city detective
force. The chief wants to see you at
his Office"
"What forP" Igasped.
81 don'tknow. You had better come
down at once"
"All right" I said, my brain in a
whirl. "Wat till l go in and see my
wife"
your wife is at the Office" he re-
piled with peculiar smile.
Shocked and alarmed beyond express
sion. | piled him with questions, but
he insisted that he knew nothing of
"the case" as he called it, and hurried
me along. The fact that | had not the
slightest idea what Mabel could be
doing at the police headquarters re-
doubled my fears The chiefs office
was approached by series of passage
ways, at the end Of one of which / saw,
MS in a field-glass, room in which
were seated my wife and stout gen
tleman in uniform, whom / knew by
sight and reputation. Mabel did not
seem frightened, but was very pale and
wore determined look.
"Mabel" | cried, as l rushed in,
"what does this meanP"
"Your wife," interposed the chief
blandly, estates that you are acquainted
with the occupant of room II, No. 20
Staunton place. Is that factP"
"What about itpn l asked, appre-
ciating the necessity of gaining some
more information before committing
myself.
Have you seen the evening papersP"
"No."
"rhen, said the chief, "Iwill 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 a party
named Bancroft, friend of yours.
We want Bancroft. When and where
did you see him last?"
l felt the ground suddenly slipping
from under my feet. The whole horror
of my situation flashed upon me-
Mabel spoke up:
Frank" she said, "when l saw that
number in the paper this afternoon
knew it was Bancroft. could not keep
silent after such dreadful thing, ana
| 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 tine ixedly. Under
certain circumstances mans brain
will work like lightning In an instant
l had formulated {. plan.
Have you private roomP" l asked.
"Yes," ho replied, "come this way. "
"Wait here" / said to Mabel; edo
not be alarmed. will tell him all. p"
When the chief closed the door osthe
inner room said to him very calmly.
"Therc is no such man as Bancroft. y
"WhatP" he exclaimed. starting out
of his professional stoicism.
''He is II mere creation of my pool
wife's fancy | replied, sadly.
Explain yourself"
81 will. If you will make the mos
trifling inquiries you will find that ne
such person as Bancroft ever existed
Did she tell you he used to work ir
Reed tea storoP"
"Yes, / believe she did,"
"Well, inquire at Reed and you will
learn that he never had such man in his
employ. The fact is, my wife exhibit
at times certain signs of mental aber
ration. This imaginary man Bancroft
is the mostnoticeable one. / had hoped
sir, to keep this secret locked forever
In my own breast, but these circum
stances force me. of course, to make ;
confession Of It to you. trust, as a gen
tleman you will not betray this melan
choly confidence, My physician ha'
warned me not to disturb the hallu
cination, else | would have warned
you in the other room. l suppose sh'
told you, among other things, tina
Bancroft once thrust a billiard Gu,
down a clergyman's throat"
Eyes, she did say something abou
that"
"Well, how preposterous that is
Do you want further proofP"
The chief was convinced. II noticed
something queer about her eyes," h,
said, grasping my hand sympathetical
ly. depend upon me to keep mum. ,
Mabel was anxiously waiting oul
coming. at is all right, Mrs. Styne,
said the chief. "Your husband ha
told me every thing and you can G,
now: I'm much obliged to you,
She cried little on the way hom
and wanted to be sure l was not angry
"Where has hat monster gomez" sh
asked.
"He has fled," l replied, 'and will
never bother us again"
And he never has. keep regula
hours now and hold out my experienc
as solemn warning to all those VIII
mediate going into the creative busl