The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-09-04

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81 behind him. Then he
d stairs, with pale, troubled
! ACE. In the hall below he encountered
Gabrielle, and mentioned the necessity
cf still retaining the key of the room
in his possession for time.
"I am obliged to report to the Chief
of Police, MADAME he said quietly,
4after which your key shall be restored
to you!" ,
Her face grew red and then pale, and
her dark eyes flashed ominous!y.
"A curious law-that which permits
strangers to take possession OF ones
own housew she cried, angrily.
Arthur bowed.
II regret the necessity, madam, ne
returned, "but it cannot be avoided.
Good morning."
He was turning toward the outer
door, but Gabrielle checked him. Her
face was wreathed in smiles.
II trust you will not dislike US, MIR.
WYnne. simply because of our unfort-
unate positlon!" she cried. 1T IS not
my fault, or darling A1ele's, that this
unpleasant hotoriety has been forced
upon us. Mr.. Wynne, you will call
upon US often? It will be charity,
for we are strangers here, and know no
one!"
Every impulse of his nature cried
out against accepting the overtures OF
this woman. But ON after-thought re-
minded him that it would be policy to
appear amenable; and, perhaps, who
knew but that he might learn some
thing which would serve him IN his
quest? murmured some half-audi-
bic reply; but he had wavered in his
manner, and this lack of frmness was
fatal mistake.
In the grounds without he met the
housekeeper, a garrulous old lady, with
whom he had already become ac-
quainted. After few words of pleas.
ant greeting, he drew forth the coral
comb. Before he could utter q word,
she calculated;
"Good gracious! If there amt Mag
gle W;llett's comb that she lost! And
| the way she's fretted about the thing,
one would believe twas worth q pretty
penny" :.
Arthur returned the comb to his
pocket. -,
II will hand it to her tomorrow" he
observed, trying to conceal his satisfac-
tion at the words that he had heard.
Then, with hasty farewell, he hurri> d
on, out through the gates, and was
soon back in the great busy city. His
objective point was the Stanford Mills.
It was a new mandatory, and but
little paper had as yet been issued
from it.
Mr.. Stanford himself, the proprietor,
examined the sheet of paper upon
which that letter was written-the
fatal letter found in Ruby's room.
"Ahp he exclaimed, II know all
about it. 1t is the only paper OF that
quality that VIC have as yet turned out
9f the mill, and it was all sold TOTO
-. he referred to his books. "Ah,
yes, A. j. Graham, stationer, No. -
Blank street. You know the place"
Arthur nodded.
ayes. Thanks, Mr.. Sanford. And
now I must make haste to the Office"
Arrived there, he found Chief Lud-
lowe quite excited over bit Of clew
Just sent to the Office. A woman, in a
dark travelling suit and sealskin sacque,
with q round hat and thick vel, Gov
ering her face from sight, had been
known to leave the city, upon South
ern-bound train, the night of Ruby
Lawrence's disappearance, in company
with mana dark, brigandish-looking
'fellow-and the train had left the sta
tion at midnight precisely.
Even as Arthur stood glancing over
The written description before him,
there was call at the telephone Just
1t his side.
els Arthur Wynne there?"
eyes," was tho response. "What
Is it,"
,aI am Nat Archer" called the voice,
with its CHASTITY, hollow sound; aoficer
in charge of the seventh precinct!
Ruby Lawrence is-founl!"
"My God" pantel Arthur Wynne.
'Where?"
But when the answer reached his
ears through the telephone, Arthur
Wynne uttered low cry and fell to
Lhe floor like dead man.