Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-07-29
The MAN WHO VANISHED.
by FERGUS HUME.
CHAPTER ].
Flying From Justice.

the fashionable streets OFT Piccadilly
sat two young men playing cards
handsome room 1t was. but evidently
that of bachelor us in the pictur-
esque confusion there was wanting
that subtle touch OF refinement and
order which indicates the hand OF
woman.
In the centre was n table at which
sat the two young men aforesaid in
evening dress with several packs OF
cards scattered at their feet and their
eyes intent upon the game. which
seemed to be rather an expensive one
judging by the pile of gold pieces that
lay on the green cloth.
One OF the players was tall, with
clearly cut features dark hair closely
cropped and u small dark mustache,
beneath which cleaned regular teeth
when he smiled. which he did not
seem inclined to do at the present
moment Adrian lancaster was not
at all pleased as luck was dead
against HIM. His friend. Philip
Trevanna. was short fair and insig
niiicaut-looking. so much so that not
even the well-cut clothes he wore
could give him distinguished APP
pearance.
The Louis Quinze clock on a bracket
in one corner of the room chimed
eleven. with silvery ring, but still
the two young men played on steadily.
The savage look on Adrians face
showed that he Was losing still. until
at last the look OF triumph on His
inn al
too much for his philosophy, and r!s-
ing from his feet with stiiled oath
he flung down his cards upset the
table by his sudden movement and
lounging over 10 the fireplace, lighted
a cigarette.
"Hulko." said Trevauna lazily
looking at the overturned table and
the scattered cards with an air OF we'll
bred surprise whats the mattcr?"
Nothing replied Adrian thrust
ing his hands into his pockets and
looking down at the debris from h )
height Of six feet odd. only I'm SICK
of playing-you've won a deuce of n
lot so unless | want to leave myself II
pauper i think I'll give the game a
rest for tonight"
Better luck next time, said Ire
wanna rising and stretching himself.
you're n bad loser"
There never yet was philosopher
who could lear the toothache patient
ly" quoted Adrian with grim smile.
You call losing at cards tooth
ache, murmured Philip indolently.
Il dare say you're right it's quite as
disagreeable at all events.
He glanced complacently over the
bundle OF . US he held in hi, hand.
added the amounts together. then Of
fered them to his companion.
'Tm rather in luck's way to-
night he said in satisfied tone. IF
you don mind old chap, Id like u
check for n thousand.
Adrian bit his neither lip angrily.
then walking toward his desk and
pulling out blank check made it out
for the amount named which he
handed to Philip without II word then
taking the | . Us he tore them up
and threw the pieces on the floor
That pretty well clears me OF
ready money" he SKID at length re-
suming his position in front OF tho
mantel-piece.
Never mind. said Trevanna with
an evil smile 'you< marriage with
Olive MaunderS will put you
straight"
Leave Miss Maunders out OF the
question, observed Adrian imperious-
ly. you've no right TO use her name. -
'I'll use the name of anybody |
like. retorted 1rev2una-
Except hers" said Lancaster uui-
city, although his dark face was
fu,hed with anger.
Philip Trevanna laughed insolently
at the remark and taking up a few
cards lightly balanced them in his
hand.
Don't talk bosh," said 1revanna
politely you know Von only want To
marry Olive Maunders for her money. -
Speak for yourself cried Ian
caster going over TO side table and
TAX ing mp decan.er. Il know you d
I give anything to be in my:place "
4 Tell you what " said Trevanna
with an ugly look. IN play you
E for her-if | win. I'll marry her "
Hold your tongue" retor;el
Adrian. grasping the stem OF tho de-
'canter in paro >yis n OF rage.
.Pll back this thousand against
< Olive Maunders 4" observed Trevan.
ma ignoring the menacing look OF his
friend ''Will you playP"
No"
Then go TO the devil" shouted
Phillip losing control OF himself and
finging the cards he was holding in
TO the face OF Adrian. Take that. 4"
The hot blood famed in Lancaster 5
| face and with II stiiled roar OF anger
he threw the heavy decanter he was
holding Mt Philip Trevanna's head.
1t struck him full on the temple. aud
without "a word the young mau tel
like log on the floor while the de.
canteE smashed into a thousand
pieces was scattered over the carpet
and the contents diiused an odor OF
spirits through the room.
There Was a dead silence for Gao
awful moment broken only by the
steady tick OF the clock Suddenly e