Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-06-20
I'll run down to Folkestone and look up
CAPTAIN Michael DicksfalI.
CHAPTER XII
a FAaIILY HIsToRY.


grow under his feet, SO he went straight
to the photographer whose name was on
the back Of the portrait found in Lena
Sarschine's possession and ascertained
without much difficulty that it was that
of Lady Balscombe.
Now, what the deuce was that portrait
doing in her desk?" he muttered, as he
left the gallery and why should Lydia
Fenny mistake it for her mistress? I
wish could get a picture Of Miss Sars-
chine.
But he could not manage this. For.
according to Lydia Fenny, Miss Sars-
chine would never consent to have her
portrait taken; so that he had no means
of learning if there was such a wonderful
resemblance between the two women ex-
cept by personal description, which was
not by any means satisfactory.
Under these circumstances there was
only one thing to be dOne-see Captain
DicksfalI, the father of Lena-so, putting
a few things together, DOwker caught the
afternoon train to FOIkestone form Char
ing Cross.
Dowker duly arrived at FoIkestone and
took up his abode in a hotel in the
Sandigate Road, where he ordered him
self a pleasant little dinner and made
the acquaintance of a fatherly old waiter
who knew everyone and everything.
This waiter at the Princes Hotel re-
jOiced in the name of Martin, and, hover
ing about DOwker, armed with a napkin
and a pint bottle of Heidsick managed
to satisfy that gentleman's curiosity con-
corning the existence of Captain Michael
Dicksfall.
yes, sir-know him well, sir-by sight,
sir" he said, trimming the empty glass
with champagne. HI old gentleman, sir
bin in the army-'ad two daughters.
Two daughters?" repeated DoWker,
Eyes, sir-1Iiss Amelia and Miss HeIe-
ma. sir-tWins-as ine-iOOking gals as you
ever saw, sir-tall, 'andsome, and golden
air"
sOh, indeed" replied Dowker indiffer-
emily. And are they living with Captain
DicksfalI?"
NO, sir, said Martin grave1y. You
see, sir, Miss Helena fell in love with
gent who was stopping at the Pavilion,
sir, and went off with him.
What was his name?"
Don't know. sir. He called himself
Carrill, but they do say it was not his right
name"
"Humph!"
Dowker pondered q little over this. It
was as he had thought after reading the
letters. Lord Calliston had masQUeTaded
at FOlkestone under the name of Carrill,
and had inYeigled Helena Dikcsfal away
from home and kept her in st. Johns
Wood as LENA Sarschine.
And the other young lady" he asked,
Miss AmeIa?"
"Oh, she made a good match, sir, re-
piled Martin. Married Sir Rupert Balls
cOmbe, sir, about year ago. But 1 did
ear, sir, as 'Ow she 'ad b0lted last week,
sir, with Lord CsllistOn-same blood,
sir; it Will come out" And Martin de-
parted to attend upon an important Gus
toner.
Same blood, repeated Dowker mus
ingly. Il wonder if he knows it's the
same man? CallistOn evidently had a
penchant for the family, for there seems
to be no doubt that Miss Sarsehine and
Lady Balscombe were sisters. So he kept
one and made love to the other! Queer
deuced queeri Well, think 1 had better
look up Captain Dicksfall."
He finished his wine, and, putting on
his hat, went out into the cool evening
and strOlled leisurely along the Leas.
first having taken the precautiOn of put
ting Dicksfall's address in his pocket.
He had no difficulty in finding Captain
Dicksfall's cottage, which was a comfort
able-looking place with a small garden in
front. A neat maid servant admitted him
into a duBky passage, and from thence
! Showed him into small draWlng-rOOm, at
! the end of which, near the window, Cap
! tain DicksfalI lay on a sofa, looking out on
| to a quiet street. A haggard, pale face,
| worn by suffering, but which had once
| been handsome. He lay supineiy on the
| sofa in an attitude of utter lassitude, COW
| cred by heavy rug, and his slender white
| hands were toying with book which was
! lying on his lap.
He turned fretfully when Dowker enter
| ed, and spoke in the querulOus voice of an
! invalid.
What is it, my good man2I" he said
| peevishly. why do you come Fsad disturb
| me at this hour? My doctor has ordered
| complete rest, and how can I get it if you
trouble me?"
Selfish old chap, thought Dowker,
| but without saying q word he took his
| seat near the invalid and commenced to
| talk.
Il am sorry to trouble you, sir, he
| said, respectfully, "but I wanted to see
/ you about your daughters"
My daughters!" echoed Captain Dicks
! fall angrily. You are making a mistake.
! I have only One-Lady BalscOmbe!'
! Dowker felt disappointed.
! Il understood you had two daughters,
! sir-Lady Balscombe and Miss Helena
! DicksfaIl?"
! The invalid turned sharply on him.
who the devil are you to intrude your
/ self into my private affairs?"
Dowker came at once promptly to the
! point.
MY name is Dowker. am a detect
| i've.
Captain Dicksfall struck his hand an
/ grily down on the pillow.
Sent by Sir Rupert, I presumed" he
! said with a sheer. He wants to get a
divorce, and you have come to me for
| evidence. I know nothing. My daugh-
ter was always a good daughter to me,
! and if Sir Rupert had treated her well
! this elopement with Lord CallistOn would
never have taken place. He is to blame,
not She"
Il do not come from Sir Rupert, said
| Dowker eOIdly, but from Scotland Yard. "
About what?"
-The death of your other daughter.
Captain Dicksfal started up with a
| groan, and stared wildly at DOwker.
Good GOdl Is Helena dead?"
Who is Helena?" asked Dowker sto1-
idly.