The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-03-29

vado No one saw the forgery. Wentword
is at the bottom of the theft, and I'll turn
my attention to him Immediately. Poor
fool! He will find that he can not tamper
with my plans with impunity."
In the meantime tho person who had
brushed against the Captain and pressed the
note into his hand hurried down the street
without once looking behind him. At the
intersection Of another street he turned
down and moved with rapid strides toward
that part Of the little city bordering on
river. He entered an alley-way, passed
through o side door and up Q tight OF
stairs, opening another door, admitting him
into small, dimly Lighted apartment, occu-
pied by two persona
"Ah, the gondolier has returned"
A slender figure advanced, and, as the
light from above falls on his face, we rec
ognizc the well-hmown features Of Louis
Fingal.
aAyer' exclaimed tho last conner, In Q
shrill, unpleasant voice. 'sThe henchman Of
the Doge comes. Benito has not been TO
the palace in vain," ct tho same time wav-
ing folded paper over his head.
'Sit down, Benito," ordered FinRal, in O
gentle, yet authoritative tone. II have talked
the matter over with our friend Austin, and
he seems to agree with us that the Doge
must be overthrow"
'Goodi Come forward, Austin, and let rs
view your kindly countenance."
The third man stepped forward.
1t was Austin Wentword, the young me-
chanic. He was well clad, and there was q
look Of interest manifest on his frank, hand.
some face. he had been In deep trouble
during tho past few weeks on account Of
his quarrel with Grace. To-day, however,
change had come over the spirit Of his
dreams.
Louis Fingal was the magician who had
worked the transformation, and made the
warm blood to Cow with its wonted fervor
through tho veins of young Wentword
"Grace still loves you, but Captain Star
bright has planned your ruin and the pos
session of the heiress," assorted the young
hunter, and then he entered into an ex-
PLANTATION, that confirmed all that he assert
ed. SO we find the young mechanic ready
to enter into plans for the defeat Of the
scheT',ing Captain.
The third member Of the trio was . curl
osity. He had removed his hat and stood
plainly revealed.
Above the medium height, with high,
noble brow, he would have been handsome
but for the wild look In the deep-set, dark
eyes. His beard. almost white, reached be.
low his waist, and tho thin hair was also
long, though nicely combed and oiled. The
cheeks were thin and hollow, and every
movement Of the man indicated uusteadi-
ness of thought; that his mind was in a
dazc His dress was of the coarsest ma
terial, yet well fitting and remarkable for
its neatness.
ais the council ready to hear the report
Of the grand chamberlain questioned
this strange man, gazing about the room as
though it were filled with people.
ave are ready answered Fingal. Then
he turned to Wentword and whispered:
"There is method in his madness, I am
sure. He has suffered some great wrong,
and"
"Listen to Don Benito's report" cried
the strange old man, moving his hand sew
eral times over the heads Of his compan-
ions.
ave listen, Don Benito." uttered Fingal,
with the most wonderful gravity.
81 here produce a wonderful document
that came into my possession this night
through a strange combin alton Of circum-
stances" said the old man, drawing forth
a folded legallooking document and un-
rolling it. "The last will and testament of
Morgan Vandhble."
"Whati Is it possiblel"
Fingal started and bent quickly over the
document in the hand of the demented old
man. It was indeed what Don Benito had
read.
Scarcely had an exclamation Of astonish-
ment fallen from Fingal's lipsl when a loud
rap fell on the door, and voice cried
sternly:
"Open in the name of the lawl"