The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-31
THE PHANTOM TRAVELLERS
A Member Of Parliaments Story.
NJ AGNES MAITLAND.
Principal Of Somorville Hall, Oxford
obpvrt7h. 1899. BY s. s. heC1m&
Part II.
CHAPTER ".

Fart N.
CHAPTER ".
mr.. Hanson will hardly be surprised to
hear" began Mr.. Timmis. glibly. that the
night trains OF this company are most care
fully watched" The fellow was regarding his
finger nails as he spoke us II ho had not an in
terest Ia the world beyond them. but he did
not deceive mo. Tho 10 p. NJ. express in
Particular has had special watch kept upon
It. Last night 1t was photographed from York
that a gentleman travelling in carriage No.
100 was very much the worse FOR drink"
But could not stand that "Contound your
impulence. sir! You mean to inslnuate that
] was drunk. md that came here to report to
you tho delirious visions Of a drunken man"
mot ut ALL" continued Tim mis-. imperturb-
hbly. But your own account Of the brandy
you took tallies with the allegation, and men
have been known to confess when under the
influence OF liquor to crimes committed and
concealed when sober. The telegram added
that the gentleman In question answered to
the description of the man travelling with
Miss Nette Payne on the night of her death
Your own statement has furnished us with
mo tive. possible solution. You are engaged
you tell us, to tho other Miss Payne. who was
co-heiress with the murdered girl. and Is now
sole heiress to her uncle's woath."
Hero he paused and looked at Mr.. Bland
who nodded slightly MIR. Timmis rose from
his seat. laid his hand on my shoulder. and
said. solemny: II am O detective officer. l
arrest you, Mr.. Hanson. on charge OF muir
der. the murder OF Miss Nettie Payne on the
night OF tho 18th OF March. 1881"
This was too much. 1 had listened with a
queer sort OF bswilderment to the preposterous
harangue: but when 1t came to an actual ar
rest for murder. l, Robert Hanson. member
o.. ~.tA~ ~
q girl had never seen and on the strength OF
what was probably a bad dream Ind had:
the ridiculous aspect of the whole thing over
came me. and burst into an uncomfortable TT
6flaughter.
could see that Mr.. Bland was looking at me
with sort OF cold surprise. Timmis took his
hand from rpy shoulder but stood close beside
me still
l.yuu choose an odd moment for mirth. Mr.
tFarson !" said Mr.. Bland ut Last, while vainly
eadeavored to check my laughter Most peo-
rle find charge of murder moderately seri-
Gus matter" 81
80 Excuse me. sir" said but really could
not help 1t. the charge is so absurd. 1 havo
hut +, mention that on March 10. 1887.
was staying with Mr.. Elijah Payne at his
house. Lnkeville. near Boston. and it will
prove to you how ridiculous it is to make
such charge against me-"
rTimmis's jaw dropped and he fell back from
my side pace or two. His crestfallen aspect
atickied my fancy. and noarly set me of again
.There is reward offered for the apnrehen-
sion OF the murderer Isuppose?" asked.
1.-Two thousand dollars, Mr.. Payne offers"
said Mr.. Bland. CURLY.
'H'H'm-A good thousand pounds. can under
stand that Mr.. rimmis is disappointed" said.
Mr. Elijah Payne would. OF course. be will
= .xz rH.t NJ NJ
Bland musingly.
Certainly" said. "cr Miss Payne. either.
I me. with an accident out shooting. and was
laid up at their house from March 70 April
80, 1887. Miss Payne was but Is then. mot
Miss Payne again in New York. four years
later. We.have been engaged nearly year.
MY visit to Edinburgh was entirely to see
them. took luncheon with them to-day."
did you namot.your--yuur experience OF
last night to them 7" said MIR. Bland. now
eagerly
mo. sir. did not. DIR. Payne was not we'll.
and the story was not exactly suited to young
lady's ears. As you know. the subject had
never been mentioned to me. was not aware
Z that they were likely to have any interest IN
the matter"
"AIiss Payne has seen q good deal OF life."
said Mr.. Bland. drily: 1T would not be very
easy to Startle her nerves. However, they
sean to have concealments from all their
friends. l was with Mr.. Payne for an hour
this morning. He did not mention to me your
II presumed expected visit: but he did remark
that whatever suitors might come forward.
no should never permit his niece tn marry
until the mystery Of her sisters fate had been
cleared up"
started to my feet Really. Mr.. Bland.
this is intolerable. VIII you accompany me
,kx.N Dnp nafao I nnth inrv
will satisfy you short OF having my story con-
firmed by him. photographed last night that
WINS coming down. was engaged to his niece
with his full consent and l know nothing OF
these conditions you speak Of"
"The sooner We go the better. Mr.. Hanson.
but Mr.. Timmis must accompany U.S."
Until We receive Mr.. Payne's evidence Mr..
Hanson must unfortunately. think. consider
him self my prisoner" said Timm very softly
= and deferentaly
AR Bland gave fow orders and messages
BY telephone aad then unlocked the door. We
passed out. Mr.. Bland and walking together.
and Timnis a good deal closer behind US than
was at all agreeable or convenient. As We
got into cab Timmls observed: We pass
Mr.. Hanson's hotel on our way. Would 1t not
bs as we'll II we called there for tho pocket
book that was mentloned"
A las you choose" 1 said. hauRhtily. and he
ordered the man to drive to the Palace Hotel.
Mr.. Timmis got out. held open the door for
mo and observed as he did SO: 81 must ac-
company you to your room. Mr.. Hanson. but it
Is only form. only form. of course"
! made no reply whatever. Mr.. Timmis
nodded to the hotel clerk and bowed to an
elderly gentleman on the steps. OF course.
evory waiter and porter in the place knew the
fellow by sight!
We wont up In the lift. and Mr. Timmls fol-
lowed me to my room without speaking.
found my travelling suit a. once and felt hur-
riedly In the pockets. expectinG to lay my
hand on the book. but 1t was not there.
looked on tho tables on tho floor. hunted wildly
in my nortmanteau. in my bag. among my
rugs cv"rywhero l could think OF. and Mr.
Timm;s TODD by with vacant smile Of abso-
lute Indifference upon his face.
'Coniound the thing" exclaimed at last
e. must have lost 1t when I went out: anyway
can't find it,"
II hardly thought YOU would" murmured
Mr. Tim mis- hlandly and really was aoralv