Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-05-29

arce has been gone through with.
The old story: that he has been very /
II, and Farmenti saved his life, and SO |
! neat bill for medical services will be |
the next thing in order. This man il |
rich, they say; that means gain for
Farmenti.S
Then silence followed, during which
Arthur digested this cheering announce
ment as best he could. After a little
the voices arose once more, and Arthur
distinguished these words:
Mark Alleyne is very sick at Law
renee Park. They say he will die I
wouldn't have the load upon my con-
science that he has upon hist"
After which silence fell again, and
Arthur knew that they had gone. What
he had heard had given him fresh cour-
age.
He arose and began to search for his
clothing. The suit that he had worn
lay neatly folded in wardrobe; but
his money and revolver-his two great
est valuables-had been removed. But
Arthur Wynne smiled as he thrust his
hand into pocket and drew forth a
skeleton key, which had evidently been
overlooked.
1t was strange what load had been
all at once removed from Arthur
Wynne's mind.
IL have not been i'll, he said to him
self, as he hurriedly donned his cloth
ing. II have been drugged and shall
soon recover from the effects. Cour-
age, old fellow"
He inserted the skeleton KEY in the
lock. A little later and the door stood
open and he was on the outside.
Half way down the staircase, which
led to the hall below and the outer
door, he came face to face with Far
menti. That worthy came to sudden
halt, 80 overcome with surprise, hor-
ror, utter CONSERVATION, that he could
not speak. At last:
well, my young friend, what does
this mean? You are too i'll to 60 out.
I forbid It'll"
And under his breath he was NUT
tering: u
"In the devils name, how did 4
escaped" Y
Without a word Arthur passed him
swiftly by, but Farmenti wheeled
about and followed him like shadow
"Holdl l forbid you to leave this
housed" he cried.
Arthur Wynne came to standstill
and gazed full into the wicked old
face before him.
You forbid mel" he repeated slow
~. "By what right do you pretend to
hold me prisoner here, against my
own will? am going directly out Of
this house, sir. Prevent it if you can.
1t will be dark hour for you if you
attempt to coerce me in any way. ]
know all about you and your nefarious
deeds. l know that you drugged me
and are keeping me here for your own
vile purposes-for blackmail or extor-
ton OF some description. Let me pass,
sir, Or"
Arthur lifted his right hand. He
realized his danger, unarmed as he
was. But Arthur Wynne was no COW.
ard, and would sell his life dearly. So
he raised his arm, intending to hurl
the villain down the staircase to the
floor below.
But at that very moment everything
grew dark before his eyes, as q heavy
blanket was suddenly thrown over his
head, enveloping him in it's folds. A
little later, and still, limp, and inert,
in dead swoon, Arthur Wynne was
borne down the stairs in the arms of
four strong men and thrust into a
small, dark room-a padded cell, for
the place was known as "Dr. Farmer.
It's Retreat for the Insane" where,
like the Inferno, "they who enter here
leave hone hahina
CHAPTER XVIII.
Saved
It was then that Arthur Winnie
cursed his fatal mistake, as he Law
upon the narrow iron bed, upon which
he had been thrown His thoughts
went back, like lightning, to the hour
when he had first accepted Gabrielle's
invitation to call at Lawrence Park.
what fool have been !" he ejacu-
lated, as the full realization of the stu
alton came home to his heart. Il was
mad enough to think that might learn
the secret of Ruby's whereabouts by
going to Lawrence Park.
"Ah, well, after all, I would never
have known what little / have learned
had not gone there. And neither would
| have been here" he added, ruefully.
II wonder where am? What place
this Isl"
Even as these thoughts flashed
through his brain, the door Of the cell
was unlocked and keeper appeared.
A rough, good-natured fellow-not
bad sort after all. He glanced furtively
into Arthur's face.
"Tell me where / am, will you not,
my good fellow?' asked the detective.
ITO be sure, sir" with another fur
tive glance into the pale face); "you
are at Beechwood, and this place is
Farmenti's Retreat for the Insane"
Arthur arose and came to the mans
side.
what will you take to help me out
of here?" he asked. II am rich man;
my name is Wynne- Arthur Wynne-
and will pay you handsomely"
The man stared into his face.
~