Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-12-20

"Who-who the--who is he, then,
Miss Garnhamp
"That is what mean to find out, and
where
Here she stopped, turning very pale.
Dick looked away from her, knowing
her thought. If so, where indeed was
poor Osmundp There was but one an
swer: in the grave, or this impostor
would never have dared represent him.
"When our eyes met, as he apologized
for knocking his cigar ash on to my dress,
there was not q CLEAN of recognition in
his" she went on. "He looked at me as
at perfect stranger; that was what
suddenly convinced me. The more l
looked after that the more certain was
though the likeness is SO wonderful that
it has to me the horrible effect of another
spirit having got into that body. Only
/ His father evidently believes that
he is his SON."
"Have you thought what strong evil
dence that ISL"
Eyes, but my certainty is stronger"
"Has it occurred to you that Osmund
Questin may have met with some bad
accident, or had an illness that affected
his mind? That would account for ev-
erything."
Eyes, but it would not make front
teeth that were side by side fold over
one another slightly"
Dick could not forbear a smile.
"Well," he said there have been
some uncommonly queer cases Of mis-
taken identity, even to scars turning up
in the right spot; but never mind, what
do you want me to do?"
cat first meant to go myself to Bel
| fort and trace him onward, but, on
thinking it over, have decided that q
man can do SO much better than wo-
man in such case; and therefore, if,
as you tell me you have nothing to do at
present, you would be SO kind as to act
for me-of course" she added, coloring,
sat my expense-and as Q commission
to be settled on quite a business footing,
l shall be more, oh, much more than
obliged. Do you think fifty pounds
would do to begin with? You must tell
me, because do not know, and later on
could get more"
Dick would have asked for nothing
better than to undertake the adventure
Mt his own expense, but it was absolute
ly impossible to the poor fellow, so he
took the straightforward proposal in the
best manner possible, declaring that fifty
pounds would go an enormous way, and
that, unless bribery were called into
play, he should hope to spend less, and
that as for anything over and above ex-
penses (Which he silently resolved should
not include his own living, that was
out of the question, and he was much
obliged for the chance.
All was very speedily arranged, and
then poor Anastasia looked over the list
of all the salvage of the family wreck.
She loved every article of it, every bit
of old plate, jewelry china, old damask;
half belonged to Lottie, but they had
been valued and divided, and if she could
get money in no other way she would
Sell her half at Christie's. She was
obliged to consult Dick Sherrieff about
it, and he was most unhappy at the no
ton Of the sacrifice, though it was not
for him to prevent it. Finally she
picked out pearl necklace and ear rings
} and some bits of plate and sold them for
rather more than she had expected.
, Seventy pounds in crisp notes she handed
, over to Dick, who said it was his first
experience of money responsibilities.
III.
The post card from Belfort was also
in Dicks hands, two photographs of Os-
mund Questin and his last letters from
/ Rome. Anastasia's latest idea had been
, the bold one of advertising for Mr.. Sep
timus S. Perkins in The Times, The New
York Herald, and LIE Petit Journal, Civ,
! ing Anastasia's address and Dicks Paris
= hotel.
The first thing Dick ascertained was
that the proper number of tickets taker
s for Paris on the day Osmund Questir
t travelled through were delivered up
His next step was an exhaustive
Y search for his name Throughout
g the Paris hotels. He was soor
: able to inform Anastasia, whom he chosc
. to call his client that he had discov
e cred it at the Bristol At the Bristol HI
i, had evidently stopped for several weeks
but nothing special could be gathered
), about him beyond his having been re
l marked for his wonderful skill at bill
Il iards. From thence he was traced b,
o the aid of detective up to the very da,
u of quitting France for England. Tn
is history was clear and commonplace, ant
: Dick began to feel he had let himself il
for rather an absurd chase after phan
u tom fancy.
However, while he fingered unwilling
l. to throw itup yet, a card was one day pu
It into his hand, and brisk little gentlema
Immediately stepped up and, shaking
l, hands warmly, announced himself to b
If no other than Mr.. Septimus S. Perkins
:. "And now, sir, what dye want with Inc
] rather expected to see Mr.. Osmund G
IS Questin, but guess you are not niue
Ie like that gentleman"
"Pm delighted to make your acquaint
If ance, though" rejoined Dick. "Pv
f. come over to trace Mr. Questin, an
e. want all the information l can get"
i "You don't mean he's missing2
ar thought he was in for a pretty sever
sickness when we parted, but If he fe