Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-02-23
CHAPTER X.
THE UNKNOWN.

The shades of night were falling as
Arnold Dacre an anxious disappointed
man, turned his horses head hOmeWardS
once more.
The long arduous quest had been vain.
Here hint, there a,,trace of vehicle and
occupants, but only hint barely
trace-clueS indefinite, unreliable, which.
followed up, led to nothing.
Il give it up!' he muttered grimly,
and with savage energy. ''They have not
gone citywardS. West lie the forests, the
scattered settlements, and it would be like
looking for needle in q hay stack to
seek them there. One consolation is af-
forded me. however: Flora Merwvn's
mysterious friend seems more of a pro-
tector than a champion. Were he cog
infant of the true state Of affairs, and
intending to unmask or fight me, he
would have gone straightway to the
city, to the lawyers. Instead, they are
in hiding. That evidences fear, and
affords me time to penetrate their OBJ
security later on, Tomorrow I will re-
sumo the hunt more thoroughly and sys-
Dramatically. For the present, important
issues demand careful attention"
He was wearied as he drove into the
little town. He went straight to his
| {
meal, he listened to the gossip of his
landlady.
Her title tattle showed that affairs
were progressing in full accordance with
his well-lad cherished plans.
The bankers body had been removed
to his home, and prepared for inter-
ment. Ans inquest had been held, but
the identity of the assassin had not been
established. Meantime duputy sheriff
guarded the bank, and the Quoted mob
relied on judicial interference to give
them their rights eventually. The the
DRY had got abroad that Abel Merwyn
had been sly, scheming scoundrel, in
stead Of the man of problty and
unseIish public spirit he had been ad
judged. Meditating wholesale robbery,
adverse speculation had swept his ILL
gotten gains away. 1t was rumored that
the failure had nearly killed old John
Wharton, and that the only person who
had Striven to save enough from the
wreck to pay the beggard deposits, was
Arnold Dacre. who had remained at his
post of duty like hero.
Dacre smiled complacently at the in
telligence. Then. in the shadows of
dusk, he stole towards the dead bankers
mansion.
1t was silent, solemn, and gloomy. He
meditated brief call upon the house
keeper-he would venture an inquiry
regarding any possible word she might
have obtained concerning the missing
Flora.
just about to go up the front steps of
the house, however, Dacre started vio-
lently, and strained his uncertain gaze
towards the street again.
ut is not possible" he calculated.
focbly.
At the curb stood a conveyance-a
close carriage. Attached to it, united,
dropping. covered with foam, jaided,
worn out, were two grey horses.
1t was the Merwyn turnout. the self
same team that had so mysteriously left
the stable eight hours previous.
What does it mean?'
Uttering the query vaguely, Arnold
Dacre ran excitedly to the side Of the
vehicle. There was no driver in the seat
He pulled open side door. The vehicle
contained no passenger.
''Oh. Mr.. Dacrc."
He turned sharply at the words. They
were spoken by the housekeeper, who, a
handkerchief held historically to her
eyes, stood on the covered side porch re-
garding him.
"Oh. it is youo" murmured Dacre. ''Tell
me-Miss Merwyn, Flora she has re-
turned?"
"No."
"Buo this carriage?"
Wandered up here a few minutes
since"
''Driyen by
mo one, just as you see it. Oh. where
is my poor mstress-what has become
Of her?'
The Schemer's ewes dilated with rapid,
excited thought. To him the situation