Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-16

ell, have never Kept up tnat fr1eno-
ship of ours that began at school, but, II
remember truly, you have; which makes
this business OF yours ever so much worse.
could not treat man 30, who trusted In
me, as you will find, Wharton"
What do you mean?" Wharton asked,
querulopsly.
81 mean that I will pull you through
this, but in my own way, and on my own
conditions, mind; for Alioe's sake and
Marcia's, and for the sake of 'auld lang
syne, and because you trust me. do not
think that you have gone on the same
principle with Lowndes, poor fellow. He
trusted you, and you have deceived him.
You have trusted me, and will pull you
out of the mess. That is what mean"
IT knew you would helpme if you could, +"
Wharton said; passing by the rebuke; but
didn't see how you could"
'Neither do l." replied westlake, dryly.
81 see no way out of it just yet. Have an
other cigar and leave me to think it out.
Silence now fell between the two men,
broken only by the sound of the flying
wheels and the quick step of the mare,
while DR.. Westlake pondered over the
knotty problem. Evidently he did not find
the solution of the difficulty an easy matter,
for he remained in a brown study until the
horse, answering to the rein, slackened
speed as they passed through the narrow
streets Of Gorlington, and bowled along the
road that led to the Retreat" that stood
out from the darkness like frowning prison
beneath the star-lit sky.
The sound of advancing wheels was heard
within the porter's lodge; for as they
reached the entrance gates they flew open as
if by magic and changed to again without
necessitating any check upon rein, and in
another moment Wharton was standing in
the well-lighted hall Of the Retreat. The
doctors reflections had evidently brought
forth pleasant fruit, for on joining Whar-
ton, after giving some instructions to his
groom, his tones were cordial, and buoyant
even, as he bade Wharton stand on no cere-
mony about dressing.
"Your room is ready, and you will find a
good fire burning there. Wash quickly and
come down to dinner at once"
Once. seated at dinner the incubus of black
care fell off Wharton's shoulders. His
brother-in-law chatted gaily and told him
his most amusing stories, so that Wharton
thawed under the bonhomie of his host, and
forgot the existence of Major Lowndes, and
the errand that had carried him down to
Norfolk.
After dinner they adjourned to the
doctors "den"-a large room, half study
and half museum. On the shelves fixed
against the walls were rows Of bottles con-
tanning lizards and other reptiles and
curious crustace8 preserved in spirits.
There were birds too, of every variety of
plumage, mounted on stands against the
wall. Cabinets filled with priceless con-
Geological and chronological raritfes, and
many other curious collections, occupied the
center of the apartment, all furnishing evil
dence of the travelled man and the scientist.
n 0f ho afo Il
of books on medical subjects, many of them
French and German works treating of mind
and nervous diseases. Near this stand was
table with drawers and pigeon-holes, with
large easy chair comfortably placed to
catch the heat from brightly burning fire.
On the opposite side OF the fireplace was
another easy chair, to which Doctor West
lake invited his brother-in-law, while on a
table near he placed the spirit-stand and a
box of fine Trabucos. After the two men
were comfortably settled, the doctor opened
fire.
''This is the toughest job have taken in
hand for many q long day, but I think see
my way through it. To begin with, just to
clear the ground a little, you understand I
cannot find this money myself Things
have been going from bad to worse with me
since Howgate brought 'Crowner's Quest
down upon us, and have had serious
thoughts of selling the practice and starting
in France, where they are not so deucedly
particular. However, that is by the way.
cannot find the money myself"
'I scarcely expected you would" Whar-
ton replied.
"That being so, the doctor resumed, "the
next question comes, Where is it to be
found?' L can see my way to that, if you
have enough Of the devil in you to like the
plan." .g .,6-t
81 am deep enough in the mire; do not
want to get any deeper, if can help it"
"Bahl man, what stuff you talk. You
will have to take hair of the dog that bit
you In short it is my plan or Dartmoor
II you do not mean to break my sisters
heart and send her earlier to the grave, for
which she is already marked, poor gill
Hush, stopl Don't bring Alice's name
into the discussion Wharton cried in a
tone of anguish.
'If, beside that" the doctor went on
ruthlessly, "if you do not mean little Mar
cia to grow up to know that she is con-
vict's daughter, you must let me pull you
out of the mess in my own way"
agreed! You have said enough. Tell
me your plan"
''Stop Bit" said the doctor, "there's no
need for you to rush your fences in that
hear my conditions.
"Go on"
"First, fee for me of e5,000."
What" shouted Wharton, half rising
from his chair in vexed astonishment
"Or shall we say temp" the doctor mused
refectively, as though he had not heard his
guests startled exclamation. Eyes, on
second consideration we will say a10, 900. 1t
has better sound with it, and it will ens-
BILE me to get rid of this place and transport
myself to France. We will say e1O, OOO.''
What are you talking about, Westlake?"
asked Wharton, looking at the doctor in q
bewildered way, as if he were not quite
sure whether the doctor had not performed
some mesmeric trick upon himself and ex-
changed his personality for one of his
lunatic patients upstairs.
II am talking about my fee. if you would
attend better and not interrupt me. That
is settled then; a10,000. We won't say
guineas, though that would be more profess
sional. ThenSthere is Lowndes to be consid-
cred; $4,000, that is Is. Then there is your
self. suppose you cannot manage with less
than another 210. 900, or, we will say 15 for
you. Yes, that is the thing to T. Twice
lois 30. Just e3O, 900. The thing is worth
doing for 100000. Now for my secord
condition-implicit obedience from the
first step to the last. Do you agree?"
Really, MARK, old man. Wharton
answered, grimly ''this is, indeed, "a retreat
for the insane but I did not think you
would be bitten with the plague"
II suppose that is meant far SATIRE" the
doctor replied.
"Not a bit of it; but either you are mad
or am getting so; where in the world is
$4,000 to be got, let alone the CSC, 900 you
are romancing about"
''That is my affair. will help you to
100000; e10, 900 for me, R15,O00 for you,
and 95, 900 you owe to Charlie Lowndes to