The Forrest City times., 1891-06-12
THE HAUNTED CHAMBER,
BY "THR DucuEss.n
Author of "Aonied," "Mono Sc.ilu.n
 sPhysHs," etc., etc.
CHAPTER v.-CoNTINUEp.

they committed suicide," Ringwood re- marks lightly.
 This fellow evidently did not" says tho surgeon calmly. Now, Sir Adrian, you sec, by holding it thus, you could quite easily blow yourself to-"
 Before he can finish the sentence, there is Q sudden confusion of bodies, Q ajostling as it were, for Arthur Dyne- court, who had been looking on atten- lively with one foot on footstool close to Sir Adrian's elbow, had slipped from the stool at this opportune moment, and had fallen heavily against his cousin.
 There Is . shout from somebody, and then silence. The revolver in the scuf1e had gone offl Through the house the sharp crack of bullet rings loudly, rousing many from their slum- bers.
 Lights can be seen in the passages; terrified faces peep out from half open cd doors. Dora Talbot, coming into the corridor in 9 palo pink cashmere drcSsing-gown trimmed with swan S. down, in which she looks the very per- sonification of innocence and youth, ecreams loudly and demands hysteri- cally to be informed as to the cause of tho unusual noise.
 The servants have rushed from their quarters in alarm. Ethel Villiers, with Q pale scared face, runs to Florence Delmaine's room, and throws her arms round that young lady as she comes out, pale but composed, to ask in Q clear tone what has happened.
 As nobody knows, and as Florence in her heart Is moro frightened than che cares to confess, being aware through Adrian that some of tho men arc still up in the smoking-room, and fearing that . quarrel had arisen among them, she proposes that they should 20 to the smoking-room in a body and mako inquiries.
 old Lady FitzAlmont, with Lady Gertrude sobbing on her arm, seconds this proposal, and, being veteran of much distinction, takes the lead. Those following close behind, are glad of this, and hopeful because of 1t, her appear ance being calculated to rout any ene- my. The awful character of her dress ing-gown and the severity of the nightcap that crowns her martial head would strike terror ts the hearts of any midnight marsuders. They all move of in 2 body, and, guided unconscious ly by Florence, approach tho smoking room.
 Voices loud in conversation can be heard a they draw near; the door is slightly ajAr. Florence drawing back as they come quito up to it, the old lady waves her aside and advances boldly to the front. Ringing wide open tho door, Ahs bursts upon the astonish- cd Qcnpany within.
 Where fs heY- she asks, with dis- nifty that only heightens tho attractions of cap and gown. Have you secured him? Sir Adrian, whore is tho consta- bleY Have you sent for himY'
 Sir Adrian, whose gaze is fixed upon tho fair vision i'll the trailing white gown standing timidly in the door tor. and the others taken by surprise, maintain . solemn silence
 @Why this mysteryY demands Lady Fitz-Almont stcrnly. Where is the miscrcant, Where is the man that fired that shot?"
 Here, madame" replies the surgeon dryly. indicating Arthur Dynecourt by . motion of the hand.
 -Ho-who? Mfr Dynecourt?' eiacu- latcs her ladyship in . disappointed tone. aIt was all . mistake, then? must say, Mfr. Dynecourt,s continues tho old lady in an indignant tone, that think you might find 2 moro suitable time in which to play oR your jokes, or to practice target-shooting than in the middle of the night. when every ro- spectable household ought to be wrap pod in slumber.'
 T assure ycu,' begins Arthur Dyne- court, who Is strangely pale and discom- posed, it was all an accident-an'
 Accident! Nonsense, sir: don't believe thero was any accident whatso- evar."
 As these words pass the lips of tho irascible old lady, several men in the room exchange significant glances. h 1t that old Lady F1tx Almont has just put their own thoughts into wordsg
 Let mo explain to your ladyship, says Sir Adrian courteously. We worc just talking about that unfortunate affair of the Stewards. and Maitland was showing us how 1t might have oc- cured. had the revolver in my hand so.-pointing the weapon toward him.
 Put down that abominable weapon It once, sirr commands Lady FitzAl- mont, In menacing tone, largely min gled with abject fear. As she speaks she thus pushing that young lady to the
 When my cousin unhappily stum- bled against me. and the revolver went off," goes on Sir Adrian. I'm deeply griev0d. Lady FftzAlmont, that this should havo occurred to disturb the household; but, really, it was pure accident"
 "A pure accident,' repeats Arthur, from between his colorless lips.
 He looks far moro distressed by this occurrence than Sir Adrian, who had narrowly escaped being wounded. This only showed his tenderness and proper feeling, as almost all the women pre- sent mutually agreed, Almost all, but not quite. Dora Talbot, for example, explanation and watches Arthur 8 ghAstly face. What is it likep The face of murdererY
 ~Oh, no, no,' she gasps inwardly; ~surely not that"
 Tt was the purest accident, I assure you,s protests Arthur again, as though anxious to impress this conviction up on his own mind.
 1t might have been very serious one,' says tho surgeon gravely, regard ing him with keen glance. Tt might have meant death to Sir Adrian!"
 Florence changes color and glances at her host with parted lips. Dora Tal- bot, pressing her way through the group in the doorway, goes straight up to him as if impulsively, and takes his hand ill both hers.
 Dear Sir Adrian. how can we be thankful enough for your eseapey' she says sweetly, tears standing in her bright blue eyes. She presses his hand warmly, and even raises it to her lips m transport of emotion. Standing there in the pretty pink dressing gown that shows oil her complexion to per