Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27

looking knives, with long blades highly
polished, and as keen rs razors. The
very sight of them made Jacks blood
run cold.
"Well, Thompson, he said, more
puzzled than ever, what do you make
of these?"
'Taint for me to say, sir" replied
the butler; but 1 hope they don't mean
murder, that's all"
Murder! What do you mean?"
"Well, sir, if as you say you have
your doubts about this gentleman being
Mr.. Twizzleton, all I can say is that
some of these burglars and gentleman
sharpers have precious artful ways of
gettin' into folks houses, and if those
tools" (Thompson pointed to the first
case) Saint part of burglars stock-in-
trade, I'm"
Nonsense, Thompson!" interrupted
his master. you've got burglary on
the brain. Put the things back and say
nothing more about it.
With that Hardup made his way back
to the drawing feeling rather
guilty. He found that Mr.. Twizzlston
was not in the room. Nor was Mrs.
Hardup. Jack was told that Twizzle-
ton had earnestly begged for five min
utes' conversation with his hostess, and
that they had gone together into the
library only moment ago. The COM
pany were busily discussing the mys-
FERROUS stranger.
II don't believe his face is made up al
ALL" said one lady. Il could see
wrinkles distinctly, and Z sure he
never hired such bald head as that"
My impression is that the whole
thing is a joke of Reggie Bunkum's,"
observed Mrs. Carnegie, athering to
her previous theory.
81 believe" said Mr.. Frtd Jarvis
that it is Reggie's friend, aid that he
has gone off his head. I havt heard of
cases where fellows have nayed the
fool in this way until they have come to
believe that they are somebod- else"
At that moment piercing shrek re-
sounded through the house from the
library, causing the guests = look at
one another with Mortified glances.
Followed by Mr.. Jarvis and the rest of
the gentlemen, Hardup hurried away
in the direction of the disturbance
Opening the library door, they found
Mrs. Hardup, to all appearance, half
fainting with terror, and clinging to the
bell pull, while Mr.. Twizzleten stood
between her and the door, evidently
scarcely less agitated.
ooh, hold him! hold him!" slrieked
the lady. "He's mad! He is going to
murder mel"
There was certainly some reason for
alarm, for on the table lay a case of
weapons scarcely less formidable than
those Hardup had seen upstairs.
"What is the meaning of this, sir?"
cried Jack, while two OF three gentle
men cautiously surrounded Mr.. Twi1
zleton.
"My dear sir" replied the stranger,
hopping the perspiration from his brow
with red silk handkerchief, I'm as
much at loss to understand matters as
yourself. I desired to see your good
lady in order to demonstrate on her i'm
prudence in not taking more care OF
herself. On my producing my instru-
ments for the purpose of making an ex-
animation, and asking to see her leg,
she at once fell into state of agitation
which you perceive"
Either you must be out Of your
mind, Mr.. Twizzleton," exclaimed
Hardup angrily, cor this is the most i'm
pertinent fooling I ever"
The sentence was cut short by the
entrance of the butler. Jack was about
to say that he could not be interrupted
at this moment, but, on Thompson mys-
teriously whispering something in bis
ear, he made hasty apology to the
company, and left the room. In half
minute he returned, accompanied by a
gentleman Of "a or IS in travelling
clothes.
"Now, sir" said Hardup, addressing
Mr.. Twizzleton, this gentleman" (in-
dicating tile new comer) claims to be
Mr.. Charles Twizzleton, whom we ex-
pected by the 1850 train at Bumpington
this evening. 1t seems that, by some
mistake, he has been taken elsewhere.
Perhaps you can explain how it is that
you have got here in his place and I'M
der his name?"
IF you will excuse me for minute"
interposed thenew Twizzleton, II think
1 can throw some light on the situa-
tion." Thereupon he informed The
company how, on his arrival at Bump
ington he had been accosted by man
servant who inquired whether he was
"Mr. Twizzleton for Soakington," and
on his replying in the affirmative, how
he had been at once conveyed to ahouse