The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-14


urday night. 1 was unacquainted with
the city beyond the Strand, Chancery
! lane and Arundel street, in the last Of
which | lived-at Weldon's, small
private hotel
On Sunday morning came one of the
| thickest fogs of the year. Misled by
the darkness of the midwinter morn
ing, was late for breakfast. When
! got down to the dining-room found
only one person, a young man of about
my own age. at the table. He had ar-
rived very late the night before and
was quite unknown to me. His appear
ance and manner attracted my atten-
| ton at once. He was tall. dark, good
looking. courteous. Several times dur
ing the meal, at which he only drank a
cup OF coffee, he seemed on the point of
! speaking to me about something he
was restless and overweight. felt
strangely drawn toward him, and ex-
perienced feeling of relief when at
last he said:
my name is Victor Crane The
landlord here knows me. Are you
kOlES W CJuTCil tiiiS IlS
| rest of the people have set off already"
We were alone.
my nane."I said, sis Marcus Fall.
had intended going to Newington,
but L could no more find my way there
than through the center Of the earth to
New Zealand"
There is" said he, "a part Of Lon
don TO which, if 1 do not find my way
in couple of hours, shall be dead
man before night" He groaned and
dropped his head into his hands.
No one could mistake his words, tone,
manner.
I'm that case" said I, "of course the
fog will not hinder YOU
No, no. said he, raising his face
from his hands. ''The fog will not him
der me. could fnd my way If I were
blind. 1t is the place where the girl 1
am engaged to lives" He turned his
pale face to the window and stared at
it with eyes which did not see
''She is not very i'll, hope?" said 1.
No; not i'll; and yet she may be at
the point of death. If you have fin
ished your breakfast, and can spare a
few minutes. viii you walk outside?
This place snffccstes me-"
When we reached the street the fog
was so thick we could not see the house
opposite.
Il am in terrible pos itionr' said
young Crane. Il do not know a man
in London but Weldon, our landlord;
and he is too old for help My girls
life is in danger-in danger from vio-
lence."
Good Heavens!" cried I. "But aren't
there the police?"
The police.'' he whispered, with a
swift glance round, and then look of
horror in his face. The mere rumor
of the police would be fatal!-fatal!
Her life hangs on thread" He leant
against an area-railing, and wrung his
hands.
IN a while he reused himself. drew
his hat low over his brows, caught my
arm, and turning toward the Strand
said:
''Mr. Fall, under ordinary circum-
stances it would be inexcusable to
trouble you. a stranger, with my af-
fairs. But the circumstances are not
ordinary: they are extraordinary be-
yond belief, beyond endurance. You
are young yourself. You can sympa-
thize with me. If you permit me, l
will tell you how am situated
You may tell me with full as
surance of my sympathy and assist
ance," l said.
For twelve months" he began, II
have been engaged to Miss Folgate.
who is now twenty years of age and an
only child He father, solicitor, is
dead. Her mother was glad to take
the position of housekeeper at Sir Ar
thur Pennyfathers town house in
Derby square. Miss Folgete lives with
her mother, and now and then come
up TO Durham to see her. Mrs Folgate
is only nineteen years older than her
daughter. She is a woman of remark
ably youthful appearance and great
personal attractions, romantic and
painfully anxious TO marry again.
For some time, very stylish and
fascinating foreigner count. he SAYS
has been leading Mrs. Foigate to
think he wants to make her his wife.
Sir Arthur and his family are in the
Riviera. The Derby square house has
been used by this foreigner as a postal
address. There have been meetings of
foreigners in it-meetings of men con-
nected with some illegal scheme. Yes
terday got this from Miss Folgate."
AS he spoke he handed me ragged
piece of paper covered with faint pencil
lines, crossed and recrossed.
You can't make it out easily, and
there isn't time TO puzzle over it. The
substance is this: Miss Folgate has IL
overheard what passed at
one of those meetings. The conspira-
tors discovered her, and she is pris-
oner in Derby square If she makes
any disturbance. they will kill her. /;
they are betrayed. they will kill her !
mother, who is no longer in the house. |
To-day, between one and three o'clock, !
there will be no one in the house but |
my distracted girl. I am going to try
TO snatch her from the knives OF those |
nurderous ruffians."
And / viii go with you-if ! may"
He seized my hand and for moment |
could not speak.
If you will help me to-day, you may
count on my devotion for life" he said /
1t length.
''Will you go arrned?"
ARMED? No. II it comes 10 weapons,
re are lost-we are dead men: and she /
but / will not think of her. Itwould 1
aralyze me. and the time for action is .
lmost at hand
How do yo,, intend getting into The