Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-07-24
CHATTER III. CONTINUED

me.
Look here, Richard, when he calls me
Richard know he is fearfully In earnest
IL believe you have brought MS down on a
fools Grand; but let us go 10 some place
where we can talk together for few min
utes"
| led them across the road 10 the Railway
Inn. We entered room, and, having for
the sake OF appearances ordered little light
refreshments told the waiter 10 shut the door
from the outside. Brand settled down with
the air OF cross-eXamining counsel. eX.
pected 10 see him pull out New Testament
and put me OF my oath.
Now, Richard" he said, "before we 20
further want to know your reasons for
thinking this man, about whom You tele-
graphed, is CaTiston's man, as You call him.
Reasons! Why OF course he is the man.
Carriston gave me his photograph. The like
ness is misunderstanding the fnger-joint
out OF the question"
or triumphantly. The meaning of that look
| have never to this hour understood. But
laughed because | knew old Brand had for
once made mistake, and was going 10 be
called to account for il. GARRISON was about
to speak, but the doctor waved him aside.
Now, Richard, think very carefully. You
speak of the missing finger-joint. We doc
tors know how many people persuade them
selves into all sorts OF things. Tell me, did
you notice the likeness before you saw the
gers mutilation bring the likeness to your
mind?'
Bless the man." said; zone would think
] had no eyes tell you there is no doubt
this man being, the original of the photo"
Never mind-answer my question"
well then, AIN ashamed to confess II,
out put the photo in my pocket, and forgot
all about ii until had recognized the man,
and pulled out the likeness to make sure.
didn't even know there was printed de-
q slat al.4r
was wanting. Confound it, Brand! I'm
not such dutfer as you think"
Brand did not retaliate. He turned 10 his
friend and said gravely, ITO Inc the matter
is inexplcable. Take your own course, as l
promised you should" Then he sat down.
looking deliciously crest-fallen, and wearing
the discontinued expression always natural
10 him when wofsted in argument.
1t was now Carriston's turn. lie piled me
with many questions. In fact, | gave him
the whole history of my adventure What
kind of house is it?'' he asked.
Better than a cottage-scarcely farm
house. A place, should think with few
miserable acres of bad land belonging to il.
One Of those wretchcd little holdings which
are simply curses 10 the country"
He made lots OF other inquiries, the purport
of which could not then divine. He SEEM
ed greatly impressed when | told him that
the man had never for q moment left me
alone He shot a second glance of triumph
at BTailu, WHO SUN kept Sltlll, ana loOktu as
If all the wind had been taken out of his
sails.
''How far is the placer asked Carriston.
"COuld you drive me there after dark?'
At this question the doctor returned TO life.
What do. YOU mean TO do" he asked his
friend. Let us have no nonsense. Even
now | feel sure that Fenton is misled by
some chance resemblance"
deuce bit, old chap" | said.
Well whether or not, we needn't do fool
ish things. We must go and swear informa-
ton, and get Search-warrant, and the assist
ance of the police. The truth is, Richard"
he continued turning to me, 1--WE have rea-
son ~ believe, or | should say Carrston PEI
ssts in fancying, that friend OF his has for
some time been kept in durance by the man
whom you say you recognized
Likely enough" said. HE looked vii
lain enough for anything up to murder"
ANYWAY" said Brand. I'VE must do
everything according TO law"
Law! / want no law, answered CarTis-
ton II have found her, as | knew should
find her l shall simply fetch her, and at
once. You can come with me or stay here,
as You like doctor; but | am afraid | must
trouble your friend 10 drive me somewhere
near the place he speaks Of"
ForeSeeing an adventure and great fun
moreover. not unmoved by thoughts OF re-
venge-I placed myself entirely at Carriston' s
disposal. lie expressed his gratitude, and
suggested that we should start at once. In q
few minutes we were ready, and mounted the
dog-cart. Brand. after gTumbling loudly at
the whole proceeding, finished up by follow
| ing US, and installing himself in the back
seat. CarristOn placed parcel he carried in
side the cart, and away we went.
Ii was now nearly dark, and raining cat
| and dogs. | had my lamps lighted, so we got
along without much difficulty The roads
were deep with mud: but by this time the
| snow had been pretty nearly washed away
from everywhere. | don't make mistake
| in road twice, so in due course we reached
! the scene of my upset. Here drew up.
"The house lies about tive hundred yards
up the lane" | told Carriston; I'VE had bet
"What about the horse?' asked Brand
"No chance of any one passing this way
On such night as this; 80 let us put out the
! lamps and tie him up somewhere"
We did so; then struggled on afoot until
we saw the CLEAN OF light which had been SO
welcomed by me two nights before.
1t was just about as dark as pitch; but,
| guided by the light, we went on until we
! stood in front of the house, where turf bank
! and dry hedge hid Us from sight, although on
such night we had little fear OF our pres
ence being discovered.
what do YOU mean 20 do?r asked Grand
| in discontinued whisper. You can't break
into the house.
Carrston said nothing for minute; then ]
| felt him place his hand on my shoulder.
]
! placer he asked.
| told him | thought that my surly friend
rejolced IN the possession OF horse and a
cow.
VERY well. Then we must wait He'll
| come out to sec 10 them before he goes TO
! bed, said CaITiston, as decidedly as gener-
al giving orders just before q battle.
could not see how Byand expressed his
/ feelings upon hearing this order from our
commander know / shrugged my Shout
ders and If said nothing ] thought a deal.
! The present situation was all very well for a
strongly-nterested party like CaTiston, but
he could scarcely expect others TO relish the
] prospect of waiting, il might be for hours,
under that comfOrtleSs hedge. We were all
wet to the skim and although was extreme
! ly anxious to see the end OF the expedition,
/ and lind pOetical justice meted out 10 my
/ late host Carrstons Fabian tactics lacked
| the excitement lOnged for. Brand. in spite
/ of his disapproval of the whole course OF ac-
| ton, was better of than ! was. As doctor,
! he must have felt sure that, provided he could
I survive the exposure, he would secure two
/ fresh patients However we made no pro-
| test, but waited for events 20 develop them
/ selves.