The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-16
CHAPTER XVII.
POOR ARTHUR

"Farmenti!"
Arthur repeated the name, with 8
gasp of surprise. Great heavens! was
l. fate? He was in the presence of the
very man he had sought--and he was
helpless!
How much of his own story, and the
errand which had led him thither,
might not have been learned from his
mad rawlings?
He shivered, and turned his head
away from those keen, searching eyes.
Something seemed to hold him silent,
and he lay very still. breathing so reg
ularly that Farmenti believed him
sleeping. It gradually dawned upon
Arthur Wynnes mind that he had been
guilty of serious mistake in coming
to Beechwood.
True, he had discovered the where
abouts of the mysterious Farmenti !;
but that was the sum total of his discov-
cries, and seemed likely to do more
harm than good, if he had told his
secret in his rawlings.
Arthur sighed sadly. Fate seemed
against him. 1t seemed to decree that
he should be always just upon the
point of succeeding-at the very verge
Of the mystery, and when he reached
forth his hand to grasp success, he was
doomed to disappointment.
Would it always be thus? Was it
decreed that he should never learn the
secret of Ruby Lawrence's hiding
place? For that she was dead he never
had believed, never would believe, with
out the strongest, convincing proof.
He stopped short in his cogitations,
startled by shrek, loud, wild, blood
curdling shrek, which seemed to echo
and re-echo through the house with an
awful sound.
The detective sprang to an upright
position, and endeavored to arise. He
was quite alone in the room, he saw at
a glance. At first, he was too feeble to
get upon his feet; but after q vigor-
Gus effort he succeeded, and with great
difficulty reached the door of the room.
1t was locked. He fell back, with q
cry of horror.
II knew that something was wrong"
he muttered. hoarsely. Il ain sure of
It, now! What does this mean? Why
am prisoner here? I never saw this
place before. The man, Farmenti, is q
perfect stranger to me! What does it
all mean?"
It was useless to stand wondering.
He made his way slowly back to the
bed and threw himself upon it. How
long had he been O prisoner in that
place? Did Ludlowe know where he
was? Would Farmenti attempt to keep
him there? It all seemed strange,
especially his illness, for before he had
experienced that odd, giddy sensation
when he had fallen to the ground, he
had felt unusually well. 1t was in
deed mystery. ;,
Again shrek sounded through the
house, followed by another; and then
different voice joined in, until it
seemed to Arthur that pandemonium
was let loose. He sat up in bed, and
his eyes sought the only window in the
room. 1t was small, high up, and pro-
tected by stout iron bars. The young
mans brain reeled. He was in prison,
or o madhouse!
A little later, and subdued hustle
outside the door attracted his atten-
tion. A sound like whispering, alter
which the words grew louder and quite
distinct.
How long has he been hcre?" asked
q voice.
"Since day before yesterday" came
the answer. He was brought here or
Tuesday, the seventh. To-day 1:
Thursday, the ninth. I believe he is s
detective, and that's why they are
afraid of him. Old Farmenti ha:
played the usual dodge upon him
Had him drugged on board the train
as soon as he spotted his victim, and
the poor young man fell senseless OF
the road.
"Farmenti took him into the carriage
and brought him here, and the usua
farce has been gone through with
The old story: that he has been very
i'll. and Farmenti saved his life. and 81