The Forrest City times., 1892-03-18
PART I.
CHATTER TX. -CoNTINUED.
BY HUGH CONWAY.

CHAPTER
 "How did you come by thisg' he cried rointing to the slysr ornament I'll tell you presently, sir. Do you recoc- nize it?''
 .'I gave it to Miss Rowan myself"
 Then we are on the right track I cried toyfully, Go on. NIT. Sharpe"
 Yes, gentlemen. we are certainly on the right track; but tster all. il isn't my fault if the track don't lead exactly where YOU wish You see, when heard of this mysterious dis appearance of this lady. began to concoct my own theory. l said io myself when a soung and beautiful-"
 ''Confound your ihe0ries.'' cried Carris,on fercely. 'TIo on with your tale'
 The man gave hls inteTrupter Spiteful glance Well sir. he said. ''as you gavr me stTict instructions to watch certain gen. lleTnan closely, obeyed those instructions of course although l knew l was on a fools errand."
 Will you go on?' cried Carriston. uIf you know where Miss Rowan is, say so: your money will be paid you the moment ind her"
 T don't say I exactly know where to find the lady, but can soon know if you wish me to-"
 "Teli your tale yonr own way, but as short ly as poSsible,' l said, seeing that my excit- able friend was preparing for another out burst.
 ''I found there was nothing to be gained by keeping watch on the gentleman you men toned, sir, so l went to Scotland and tried back from there. As soon as l worked on my own lay l found out all about it The lady went from Calendar to Edinburgh from Edinburgh to London, from London to Folke- stone, and from Folkestone to Boulong"
 glanced at Carriston. All his calmness seemed to have returned. He was leaning against the mantelpece, and appeared quite unmoved by NIT. Sharpe's clear statement as to the route Madeline had taken.
 "0f course. continued NIT. Sharpe, q was tt.. faf rf..r. H. person, although her description correspond ed with the likeness you gave me. But as you are sure this article of jewelry belonged to the lady you want the matter is beyond a doubt"
 "Of course,7 said, seeing that Carriston had no intention of speaking. Where did you find ity'
 It was left behind. in bedroom of one of the principal hotels in Folkestone. 1 did go over to Bonlong, but after that thought I had learnt all you would care to know"
 There was something in the mans manner which made me dread what was coming Again looked at Caniston. His lips were curved with contempt, but he still kept si- lence.
 Why not have pursued your inquiries past BOulong?' asked.
 For this reason. sir. had learnt enough. The theory had concocted was the right one after all. The lady went to Edinburgh alone, right enough; but she didn't leave Edinburgh alone, nor she didn't leave London alone, nor she didn't stay at Fokcstone-where fourd the pin-alone, nor she didn't go to Boulong alone. She was accompanied by young gentleman who called himself Mir. Smith; and whats more, she called herself Mrs. Smith. Perhaps she was, as they lived like man and wife
 Whether the fellow was right or mistaken, this explanation of MadelineS disappearance seemed to give me what 1 can only compare to a smack in the face. l stared al the speak CT in speeches. astonishment If the tale he told 80 glibly and circumstantially was true, farewell, so far as was eoncerned. to belief tn the love or purity of women Made line Rowan. that creature of poets dream, on the eve of her marriage with Charles Car fiston to fly, whether wed or unwed mattered little, with another man! And yet she was but woman Carriston-or Carr, as she only knew hin-was in her eyes poor. The companion of her flight might have won her with gold. Such things have been. Still My rapid and wrongful meditations were cut short in an unexpected way. Suddenly saw MT Sharpe dragged bodily out of hs chair and thrown on the floor, whilst Carr g. ton, standing over him, thrashed the III n vigorously with his own ash stick-a conyen- lent weapon, so convenient that l felt NIT. Sharpe could not have selected stick more appropriate for his own chastisement. Sc Carriston seemed to think, for he laid on cDeeHully some eight or ten good cutting sifoScs.
 Nevertheless, being a respectable doctoi anu Ol ptdCts was CDulptlltu tD fere. l held Carriston's arm whilst Mir. Sharpe struggled to his feet, and after collect ing his hat and his pOcket-t ook, stood glar ing vengefuliy al his assaiaat, and rubbing the while such of the weals on his back as he could reach. Annoyed as felt at the m. professional frdcas, l could scarcely helr laughing at the mans appearance. l doubi the possibility of any one looking heroic aft CT such a thrashing.
 I'll have the law for this he growled ttI ainff maid fn hn haafpn hN A maHpYap "
 You're paid to do my work, not anotlr CTS, " said Csrriston. "(io 10 the man who has over-bribed you and sent you to tell me your lies. Go to him, tell him that once mort he has failed Out of my sight"
 As CanistOn showed signs of recommend Ing hostile operations the man fled as far a the doorway. There being in comparative safety, he turned with a malignant look.
 "You'lI smart for this he said; when they lock you up as q raylng lunatic I'll try and get post as keeper
 was glad to see that CarTiston paid no at tention to this parting shaft. He turned his back scornfully, and the fellow left the room and the house.
 Now are you convinced? asked Cairls- ton, turning to me
 "Convinced of what? That his tale is un- true, or that he has been mised, am quite certa h."
 "Tush. That is not worth consideration. Don't you see that Ralph has done all this? sat that man to watch him; he found out the espionage; smbOmed my agent, or your agent, should say: sent him here with uumped-up tale. Oh, yes; 1 was to believe that Madeline had deserted me-that was to arlye me out of my senses. My cousin IS jool after all r'
 Without further proof cannot believe that your suspicious are correct" l said; but must own spoke with some hesitation.
 Proof! A clever man like you ought to see ample proof in the fact of that wretch having twice called me madman. l have seen him but once before-you know 1T l then ave him any grounds for making such an ton. Te.l me, from whom could he haye learnt the word except from Ralph Car riston?'
 was bound. if only to save my own repu- tatlon for sagacity, to confess that the polnl noted by Carriston had raised certain doubts In my mind But if Ralph Carrlston really was trying by some finely-wrought scheme to bring about what he desired, there was all The more reason for great caution to be eXer- cised
 "l am sorry you beat the fellow said. He will now swear right and left that you are not in your senses.
 ''Of course he will What do care?'
 Only remember this. It is easier to get put into an asylum than to get out of 1t.
 It IS not so very easy for a sane man like myself to be put in, especially when he IS on his guard. have looked up the law. There Surgeons-or, l believe. apothecaries will do who have seen the supposed lunatic alone and together I'll take very good care l speak to no doctor save yourself, and keep out Of the way of surgeons and apothecanes. lt quite cheered me to hear him speaking so sensibly and collectedly about himself, but again impressed upon him the need or