West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-06-18

ing dual existence. In short, I was
ON the verge OF l0nacy when the climax
came.
One evening when went home to
supper i'm my usual pcrturbcd state OF
mind there was a strange man at my
gate lie had keen, Ratchet face and
wore SLOUGH hat.
Mr.. Frank n, Styne, | believe"
Yes, sir "
81 am member of the city detective
force. The chief wants TO see you at
hi, office.
What for?" gaspcd
II don tknow. You had better come
down at once"
IAN right said. my brain in a
whirl. Want al 20 in and see my
wife
Your wife is at the Office" he re-
piled with a peculiar smile.
Shocked and alarmed beyond express
sion. piled him with questions, but
he insisted that he knew nothing of
1.-The case, rs he called il, and hurried
me along. The feet that | had not the
slightest idea what Mabel could be
doing at the police headquarters re-
doubled my fears. The chiefs Office
was approached b. series of passage
va - at Ailf Gnu VI Oilt vi W Illtll 1 SAW.
rs i'm "A licld-glass. a room i'm 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 a determined look.
Mabel | cried as / rushed in,
'what does this mean?"
Your wife, intcrposed the chief.
DlHn1IN sA-lltn4 J. "a n e.. a
with the occupant of room II, No. 20
stanton place. Is that factPn
what about it!' | asked, apprc-
ciatng the ncccs sity of gaining some
more information before committing
myself.
Have youseeG the evening papers?"
mo"
"Ihen, said the chief. II will tell you
frankly what want, for believe you to
be a man of reputation. The occupant
OF room ~ No. 20 Staunton place, was
murdered last night, and the occu-
pant of room i is suspected. We
could not find cut who that individual
was but your wife has been kind
enough 10 inform us that it is a party
named Bancroft, a friend of yours.
We want Bancroft. When and where
did you see him last?N
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 saw that
number I'm 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 sakcs. o, Frank, tell the gentle
man all you know OF that man and let
us ut least get cur skirts clear of this
awful crime"
The chief looked at me fxedly Under
certain circumstances a mans brain
will work like lightning. I'm an instant
l had formulated s plan.
"Have you aprivate roomp" | asked.
Yes he replied, come this way"
wait here, : said to Mabel edo
not be alarmed. will tell him all"
When the chief closed the door of the
inner room | saiG to him very calmly.
There is no such man as Bancroft. "
WHAT he exclaimed, starting out
of his professional Stoicism.
''He is mere creation of my poor
wife ; fancy | replied, sadly.
Explain yourself.
II will If you will make the most
triiling inquiries you will find that no
such person as Bancroft ever existed.
Did she tell you lie used to work i'm
Reed ) tea store"
Yes, believe she did"
'Wcll, inquire at Reed = and YOU will
learn that he never had such man i'm his
employ The fact is, my wife exhibits
ut times certain signs of mental aber.
ration. This imaginary man Bancroft
!. the most noticeable one. | had hoped,
sir, TO keep this secret locked forever
In my own breast but these circum-
stances force me- o. course to make a
confession of it 10 YOU | trust, az a zen
tlcman you will not betray this melan-
choly confidence. Ny physician has
warned me not 20 disturb the hallu-
cinat.on, else 1 would have warned
YOU IN the other room. | suppose she
| told YOU, among other things. that
| Bancroft once yhru,t Il billiard cue
down a Clergyman throat
Yes, she did say something about
that"
We'll, how prepostcrous that isl
Do YOU want further proof?''
The chief was convinced II noticed
something queer about her eyes" he
said. graSping Ivy hand sympathetical-
~. depend upon me to keep mum. -
Mabel WAS SnNiously waiting our
coming. 1T is al right Mrs. Stync, "
said the chief. Your husband has
told me every ching and YOU can 90
now: I'm much obliged to you.
She cried Il little on the way home
and unf.t "a. -. 4 4