The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-12-02

reused my suspicious, so much so that
after dinner I inquired for him from the
head waiter.
"Cornelis Jansen, the Fleming? He
has left the hotel" was the reply.
when? Surely I saw him here at
lunchtime-no, at breakfast time? When
did he go?"
ale is not worth the interest you take
in him, sir. An impudent, useless fell
low! Spoke very improperly to Mr..
Gray this afternoon, end when checked
said he should like to leave"
Then and there?"
Then and there. I believe he went to
London by the next train"
The rogue! He had gone off just to
avoid me. I was sure Of it. This
quarrel with the manager was a mere pre-
tense. He only wanted to get out Of my
way.
More than ever I was convinced that he
had been bought over by some one;
surely Mr.. Sarsfeld, unless all conclu-
sions were hopelessly astray.
asked for my bill, saying that I must
90 to town that evening. They brought
it to me as I sat under the veranda Of the
hotel. and as I settled it, Captain Faw-
cett came up and stood near me. Mr..
Sarsield was with him.
Going, eh?" The remark was sneer-
ing and sarcastic. Scent weak, or got
q new liner"
Il am going. up to London on my own
business: it would be as we'll if you paid
equal attention to yours" I replied, with
marked emphasis.
will it prevent your return? We shall
all be so grieved!"
Il promise myself the pleasure of re.
turning ere long. I am deeply interested
in the detection Of this crime
"A letter, sir" said q waiter at this mo-
ment to Mr.. Ssrs6eld, who missed the
latter part of my remark.
But Captain Fawcett heard it, and
scowled at me as though he understood its
implications.
I watched Mr.. Sarsfeld as be turned the
letter over. Then he opened it, glanced
at the contents, turned suddenly CHASTITY
white. and fell fiat upon the ground.
There was, Of course, a great commo-
ton directly. I, with the other people
standing by, summoned help. Mrs. Sars-
field and her sister, who we're at no great
distance, rushed out, and MI. Sarsteld,
who was in a dead faint, was soon the
center of an eager and excited group.
Fawcett only stood somewhat apart.
he had snatched the letter from his faint
ing friends grasp and read it hurriedly.
This is your doing! Coward Curl" he
whispered fercely in my ear.
How dare you use such language to
me? You shall answer for it,"
What else is q man who stabs in the
dark with anonymous threats?" And he
Aourished the letter in my face.
That letter is Mr.. Sarsfeld's. You
had no right to it, or to read it. I appeal
to you, Miss Bertram," I said, seeing she
was watching us.
Give me the letter. Give it me-" She
repeated the command, and 80 imperi-
ously that Fawcett, looking crestsallen,
surrendered it.
fastened to assure Miss Bertram.
Il had no hand in this; believe me-"
II do. I would far sooner trust you
thin him. This letter is sacred-what-
ever it contains. If it is my brother-in.
laws, no one else ought to have 1t, and
no gentleman"-she paused, looking hard
at Fawcett-@would have read it."
Yes; but what did it contain? Here
was fresh food for thought occupying me
constantly on my way to London that
night, and next day as 7 sped on through
Paris southwark to Spain.
[ro BE CONTINUED