Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-27
THELONEI INN
Bv FERGUS HUME.
[Copyright. lS,4, by the Author.l
CHAPTER XIV.

tainly she declared herself to be inno- cent of the crime and accused Strent, but if we found Strent he might declare himself innocent and accuse her. One or tho other of them must necessarily be guilty. as they alone had seen Felix on that fatal night. Rcse was being closely watched by a detective, so that we could obtain her evidence at any mo- ment It now remained for us to find Strent and hear his story. Francis be- heved Strent had killed his brother. had my doubts, as I could see no motive for his committing the crime, where as Rose, in fit of blind anger, might have done so. Merrick's theory as to her guilt was more in accordance with my belief
 Hitherto we kept the case from being meddled with by the police, but now they began to handle the matter. h. formed by Francis as to the wherea- bouts of the body, they dragged the pool near the Fen inn and recovered the corpse of the unhappy young man. Then the inspector wrote peremptory letter to Francis, requesting him to come down and attend the inquest There was n note of suspicion in the letter, and Francis could not very we'll help obeying the summons.
 He requested me to come with him, which had every intention of doing We settled the time of our departure and before going saw Olivia and Dr. Merrick Mrs. Bellin had not been in formed of the death of Felix, nor did she suspect that anything wrong was going on under her very nose Thanks to the wonderful resemblance between the twins, she accepted Felix as Francis and Francis as himself without the slightest suspicion. At first she had ob- jected to the engagement, but afterwnrd, learning that Brairtield possessed a good income, consented. To be sure, she would have been better pleased had Olivia married title, but as her daughter de- clared she would marry no one but Francis Mrs. Bellin gave way with Q good grace.
 As to Olivia, she was terribly dismay-. ed when she heard Francis was going to Marshminster, and she dreaded lest he should be accused of his brothers mur- der The actions of Francis had been so very peculiar that was afraid to tell them to the inspector lest he should think the young man guilty. At the same time it was impossible to keep them secret, as Francis had thrown the body of his brother into the pool and would have to explain to the inspector how it got there Our only chance of proving him to be innocent lay in find ing Strrnt, and where he was to be dis covered none of us knew. Merrick's clever brain discovered a clew to the destination of the fugitive.
 Did you ride to the Fen inn from Marshminster:'' he asked Francis
 No Had come by train to Marsh minister would have gone to Bellin Hall, where my brother was staying, and seen him before Olivia"
 Its pity you did not go there," said Mcrric1 thoughtfully. ''All this trouble might have then been avoided Well, how did you get to the Fen inn?'
 II took the train from London to Starhy, hired n horse there and rode 10 the Fen inn
 How far is it from Starby to the Fen iun:"
 About 12 miles
 And from the Fen inn to Marshmin- ster:"
 Ten miles,
 Much about muchness, " said Mer- rick. Did you tell Strent you had rid den from Starby?'
 "Yes. had no reason to conceal my movements.
 Quite so. Well, according to Rose Gernon, it was your horse Strent took to escape:"
 Ut was. wonder he did not take the horse of Felix
 For a very simple reason. He know when the alarm was given that yor and Denhan would go to Marshmin ster. Therefore, to hide his trail tn, better. he went back with your horse tC Starby"
 Do you think so:''
 II am sure of it. Go to the liver. stable at Starby where you hired you horse, and I am certain you will finC it there. restored by Strent.
 Well" said I, in nowise satisfied suppose We trace him to Starby. Tha will be of no use. No doubt he took tn train there for London.
 "Vcry probably" said Merrick cool ly, and waited there for Rose Ger non."
 But she has not seen him since h fled from the inn
 ''So she says. but it is not true, fo all that When he killed Felix, an the evidence seems to point to him a the murderer, he told Rose to take tn gig and go to Marshminster. Then h rode of to Starby and rejoined her ]; London"
 ''But wliy should she conceal hi mOvements:'
 Because ho knows too much abou the crime" said Merrick decisively "Either she did 1t herself and Is afrai of his speaking, or he did it and sh wishes to screen him"
 "Why should she wish to screen man who killed her lover2''
 II can't answer all Questions," sai Merrick irritahly, finding himself at loss All this Is pure theory. but think it Is SO am certain there Is O 2 understanding between Rose and Siren If that detective watching Rose onl knew Strent, I am certain he woul catch him paying her O visit" "Why not give the detective pi. ture of tho man?" suggested Francis "Why not indeed?'' retorted der sively- ''Because we haven't gota pi' turc."
 'I have one at my rooms. " said FraI cis-
 f Where did you get it?''
 Il drew it while waiting for Felix the Fen inn You know, Denham, have some skill fin catching expression and watching faces The fellow struc me as such O snug scoundrel that . penciled a caricature of him while , moved about the dining room. It is m a photograph certainly. Still think is sufficiently like him"