Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-11-06
CHATTER Ill

| Under the shallow of the cathcdraI tower
dwelt relatives with whom had aforc-
time spent school and college holidays
Their houss was the goal IL my pilgrim.
agr, AMI weeks rcst was to rccoup
me for the tolls of the walking tour
The tragic occurrence at the Fen inn
altcr,si all my plans With an assassin 10
b. tracked there was no time for com
Portable idlenosA Francis Briarfield had
tssn my friend. and I owed IL 90 his
memory % avcngo his death ltwas no
easy task ! had set myself Irccognised
that from the hrt
In plac,. therefore of seeking the cen.
ter Of the town and my maiden aunt's ]
turned of at the outskirts and made
for Bellin Hall Aocorling 90 the story
of Francis. his brother was staying
with the l,ellins and Il was necessary
that I should -ce him at ono. about the
matter. Ny acquaintance with Mrs BEL
lin and her daughter was confined 90
casual oonyorsation nc crowded "at
homes" during the season. Ihad hardly
the right to thrust myself ON them un.
invited. but my business brookoi no
delay. The sooner Felix knew the truth
the better 10 would be for him II he
wero guilty. could punish him for his
crime by dcnouncing him at onoe to the
authorities; IL innuocnt. he need io~s no
time In hunting down those who hal
slain his brother. Besides I wished 90
put Olivia on her guard against the
man ma-qucrsiing A. franci. Driar.
field. That intended to do In any ca-e.
whether ho was innoccnt or guilty.
Bellin Hall was y grot.~que specimen
OF architecture. built by Jeremiah Bel.
lin. who had made his money out 81
blacking. II was uncommonly like q
factory. but perhaps the decreased Jere-
miah lik"l something to remind him of
the origin of his fortune and keep him
fronl thinking his ancestors came over
with william the Conquerur. lie mar
ried the daughter Of q baronet and then
took his departure a. the next world.
leaving his widow well provided Tor
and his daughter an hcirss In her own
right
MrS Bollin was o pretty woman.
with no brains nd q giggling laugh
Her daughter hal the boau'y of hen
mother and the brains of her father. ~
she wins altogether q charming girl
How she could tolerate her silly dolly
~ q mother could never understand
Perhaps % years of constant forbsaranoo
had inurcd her TO the trial
On arriving at the front door learned
that Mr. Briardeld was within and soii'
up my card. requesting q private inter
view. For the present did not wish To
see Olivia. ~ 10 was my intention Ia
warn Felix that was oognirant Of his
trickery. Ny theory was proved correct
by the following dialogue;
Myself-ls Mr.. Briarfeld within'
Footinan-Yo, sir. Mr.. Francis
Briariield has Just returned from town
After which question and answer
was shown into ROOM ot-srye that
had said "Mr. Briariield. and the foot.
man answered. "Mr Francis Briarfield "
Now, ~ I we'll knew that the man
bearing that name was lying dead at tho
Fen inn. IL was conclusive proof that
Felix. % gain the hand ~ Olivia, wa
maslucraiing as his brother. had just
argued this out to my complete sa,isfac-
ton when Felix made his appcaranoa
The resemblance between the brothers
was extraordinary. I had some diiiicul'
~ in persuading myself that the mar
before mo was not he whom had scep
dead that morning. the same pale face,
dark hair and jaunty mustache, the
same g,stur~. the same gravity of de
meanor and actually the same tones In
the voice. There was not the slightest
difference between Felix and Francis
The one duplicated the other Ino longr
wondered that Olivia was deceived
Despite my acquaintance with the
brothers, I should have been trickcd
myself A II wa. stared open mouth
I'd at the young man.
This IL q pleasant surprise. Dsn'
ham," ho said. looking ansiously at
me II did not know you were In this
part of tho world
"Nor was I until yesterday. am on
. walking tour and last night slept ct
che Fen inn"
"The Pen inn. he repeated. with
slight start "what took you 20 that
out Of the way plaoes''
IL came by the marxhes, and n ]
was belated had to take the shelter that
offered"
"Dut, man alive" said Felix. rails
ing his eyebrows 'the inn IL empty"
This time it was my turn 10 be rs
tonished II Felix thought the inn was
empty. why did he appoint II as q meet.
ing place for his brotheri He either
knew too much OF too little. 80 II be-
hooyed me to conduct the conversation
with the utmost dexterity.
~, was not empty last night at oil
events" ] rctortcd. keeping my eyes
nxed on his fane
"Indecdi Are gyp-is encamped
thcre," he said coolly.
"weli. not exactly" answered.
emulating his calm ''It was In charge
Of . man called Strent and his daugh.
ter"
This In newr tO me- was hlWays
under the Impression that the Fen Inn
was quite deserted
"You have not been near u iatelyf'
"No Nobody goes near Il They say
it is haunted"
"Pshaw." answered angrily. IAN
old wife's talsl And yet, added after
o moments thought ''it may well be
haunted after what took place there last
night"
"Thia begins to grow interesting"
said Felix. Had Jon IN adventures"
"YeS met with your brother"
"Impo~siblei Ny brother Felix is In
Paria"
"I am talking Of Francia"
"francis" he repeated with Q dis
agreeable smile "Francisi Well Den.
ham, I am Francis"
"I think you are making mistake.
Briartield, {" said coldiy. "Your broth.
or Francis siept 81 tho Fen INN last
night"
81 sleps In this house"
II quite believe thss But Jon are
felixf'
"Oh." aid BriarAsaA bursting into
. harsh laugh. II - yoa sss making
!hs i.syiiesls ais)akl s lix,psps ~