Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-21
CHAPTER VI.

Having made up my mind what course to pursue, returned to Marshminster, took leave of my relatives and left that evening for London. There l remained two days reviewing the strange events in which had lately been an actor At one moment it was in my mind to aban- don what certainly seemed tO be n hopeless search, for could but see it was q matter of great difficulty to lay my hand on the assassin of Francis. It would be better. 1 thought, to place the matter in the hands of the police and let them thrash it out for themselves: Two reasons prevented my taking this ignOble course.
 One was that Francis Brairfield had been n college friend. and was unwill- ing that his death should go unaveng- ed. The story of his love for Olivia, which he had toLl me at the inn, con tained the clements of strange TO- nance fitly capped by his tragic end. felt certain that Felix, through his hired bravo-for I could call Strent by no other name-had encompassed the death of his brother. Felix was passionately in love with Olivia. and the unexpected return of Francis not only threatened to take her away from him. but also to re- veal the scOundrclly fashion in which he had behaved At one blow Felix would lose her love and respect. There fore his motive for averting such n ca tastrophc was a strong one. That he should determine on fratricide was q terrible thought, but there was no other course left to him by which to secure the woIhan he loved and the respect he valued. It was the mad action of n weak, passionate man, such as 1 knew Felix to be. Too cOwardly himself to strike the fatal blow, he had hired Strent to carry out his plans, and the death had been duly accomplished, though in what way I was quite unable 50 say. It was sufficient for me to know that Francis was dead, and felt myself called upon to avenge his death.
 The other motive was perhaps the stronger one of detective fever. was a | bachelor. l had q good income and nothing to do. Therefore this quest was one of great interest to me. had often hunted beasts, but this man hunt was a much more powerful incentive to ex- citement. I could hardly sleep for think ing of the case and was constantly en- gagged in piecing together the puzzle. As yet had no clear clew to follow, but the first thing to be settled was the identity of Felix at Marshminster with Felix at Paris. Once I established that point and proved conclusively that Fe' lix had never left England. would be in a position to prosecute the search il che neighborhood of Marshminster. own that there was an additional reason in the pique felt at the scornfu disbelief of Olivia. She evidently con sidered my Story pure fiction, and th' strange disappearance of the corpse iron | the inn confirmed her in this belief. Ir ritated by such contempt, was resolved to bring home the crime to Felix anC to prove conclusively to her that he wa masquerading as her lover, the deaC Francis. It would be a cruel blow whel assured of the truth. but it was bettei that she should suffer temporary pair than drag out n lifelong agony chaineS to a man whom I know to be q profit gate, q liar and murderer.
 At the end of two days l confirme' myself in the resolution to hunt dow the criminal and decided as the first stel
 to go to Paris. Leaving Victoria by tn 
 night mail, arrived in the French cap ital next morning. Anxious to lose II
 further time, hastened at once to tn
 Hotel des Etrangers. in the Rue dc St
 Honore, and there took up my quarters Recovered from the fatigues of tho jouI ney, partook of luncheon and the
 made inquiries about Felix Briarfield
 To my surprise. I not only discovere } that he was in Paris, but that he WI in the hotel at that moment
 "Has he been staying here for m ! length of timer" asked the manager. ''For six weeks. monsieur, and no talks of going to Italy" was the astoI ishing reply.
 To say that I was surprised woul } i give but faint idea of what iel l That the assertion of Olivia should thu r prove true was almost impossible of b
 lief. If Felix was here and had bee } here for tine past six weeks, it cou not possibly be he wa2m l bal met