The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-11-03

and what were his relations with MIS-.
Trench?
A hundred doubts and questions as
sailed my mind. The assignment was
another ominous feature; for I remem-
bered, with new shock of apprehension,
that in case of Madelaine'sd dying unmar-
ried, her property would fall within Mrs
Trench's reach; the exercises of few le-
gal subterfuges would enable her to get
possession of it. If there had been a
crime, here was q motive. But was Mrs.
Trench capable of a crime? Why not?
knew her as a woman of untiring en-
ergy and indonitable purpose. She had
shown these traits in. rehabilitating her
husbands business; but, if an evil end
instead of g. good one were in view, why
should not the same qualities find exer-
else in that direction? I could give no
reason why not.
In order to be prepared as far as posi-
BILE for the worst, went to the registry
of deaths and consulted it for the name
of Madelaine Tredwick. 1t was not
there-reckoning from the date of her
last letter to me. This was so much to
the good. OF course, she might have
died elsewhere, or she might have met a
fate to which death would be preferable;
but, on the other hand, all might not be
SO bad as feared. To be able to hope
was at least something.
This brought me to Monday evening,
and / went back to my hotel and slept
heavily till morning, for l needed sleep.
When l awoke there was an unwonted
light in the room, which faced the east.
l looked out. and for the first time since
my arrival in London saw the sunshine
I'LL L.
shadow for the present With that un-
reasoning sympathy which the weather
often arouses in the mind, / felt my own
mood brighten. If Madelaine were alive,
would find her yet. But that tsif'' was
terrible.
The first person saw as 1 came down
the steps of the hotel after breakfast was
Robert Heath, my classmate at Oxford,
and formerly my intimate friend. Hewas
a barrister by profession and good fellow
down to the soles of his boots. called
to him; he turned, recognized me, and
broad smile of pleasure and surprise
illuminated mis- honest visage He
grasped my hand, asking score of
questions, and welcoming me back to
England with word, tone and look. As
talked to him all nay old feeling of
trust and affection came back to me.
This was the friend 1 needed; not so
much for whatever practical help he
might afford as for the encouragement
and consolation of his presence and sym
pathy. After we had stood awhile,
asked him which way he was going. He
answered that he was bound acrces
Hyde park and on through Mazda Vale
to call on client in Carleton road.
"And being a fine day." he added, 81
started early and was going to foot it.
But if you'll come with me we'll take a
cab
"a walk is just what L need" 1 re-
piled; land there's something l want to
talk to you about" So off we started,
and, as we tramped along, L unfolded
to him the whole story of my fears and
purposes. He listened attentively and
seriously. When had finished he con-
sidered for awhile, and then said: s'It
certainly looks rather fishy. But
He never finished the sentence. We
had by this time nearly reached the end
of Mazda Vale, and had turned to the
left down Carleton road. The houses in
this region were detached, each standing
in its own Enclosure, protected by high
brick walls. / saw a cab drive up to
one of these houses and a lady in a black
dress alight and ring the gate bell.
Though I was fifty PAGES off, recog-
nized. Mrs. Trench Immediately. She
did not see me, and in another moment
the gate was opened, and she disappear
ed within. did you see thatr' l ex-
claimed, grasping my companions arm.
'sThat is sher
MRS. Trench? That's odd! And the
house she went into is my client'sr'
''Who is hep
''His name is Glenn-Dr. Glenn; the
house is a private lunatic asylum"
Good God, Bobl May not that be
the solution of the mystery? Suppose
Madelaine we're 1 could not finish
the sentence.
s'To tell you the truth" replied Heath,
81 was thinking of something of the
kind when you interrupted me. People
are still sometimes disposed of in that
manner when circumstances demand it.
And, by the way, it was about some
question of transferrence of property
that / was going to see Glenn. There
7 is something about the affair l didn't
/ quite like the looks of, and l intended,
in case he failed to make satisfactory ex-
plantations, to refuse to have anything to
do with it.
The idea that Madelaine might be at
that moment confined with lunatics
within a few yards of where we were
standing put me almost out of my self
control, and | was for taking summary
measures on the spot. Heath endeav-
ored to moderate my iInpetuosity by re-
minding me that, first, Madelaine might
not be there; and, secondly, that the law
was able to free her, if wrongfully con
/ fined, better than any violence on my
part could do it. Let us do this" he
said finally; 1--WE viii go in together, as
] Mr.. Heath and friend. In that way we