Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-29


made up my mind 90 carry through the
business at whatever cost Of personal
Inconvenience 10 myself That j. the
worst of being an amateur detective.
Ones feelings are not under sufficient
control.
The next day ! called at Swansea
square and sent up my card to Olivia
As it so happened. her mother had gone
down to Nottingham with Felix, and
she remained at home on the plea Of a
headache She sent down message TO
the effect that she WAS unwell and
asked me IL excuse her. hut scribbled
a few lines ga my card asking paTticu-
larly 10 see her This time the servant
returned with the information that Miss
Bellin would see me for a few minutes,
and ] was shown into the drawing
room. ! felt nervous. Int, determined to
go through with the matter. managed TO
screw up my courage. 1t was a most
unpleasant task, but very necessary If
wanted to attain my object
When Miss Bellin entered, ] could
not suppress start, so changed was she
in outward appearance. As ] said be-
fore, she was tall, well developed and
very beautiful woman, but now she had
grown thin, and her face wore an anx-
ious expression. ! could not help think
ing that she knew something about the
tragedy Mt the lone inn, n l could con-
lecture no other reason for her i'll health
and manifest discomposure. She came
forward. with q nervous smile. and
greeted me in a low voice.
My mother aud Mr.. Briarfi.-ld have
gone to Nottingham. she said. sitting
down on lounge near which my chair
was placed.
II am not sorry for that, =" l answer
ed ,,ravely, las l wish to see you
alone. -
What is the matter, Mr.. Dcnham:
Have you anything very terrible to tell
me:''
Il think it is terrible"
About Francis:" she demanded anx-
iously.
Eyes. About Francis.
Surely you are not going 20 begin
again about that foolish matter you
spoke OF at Westminster
mo. Ii i not about that. ="
Olivia passed her handkerchief across
her lips and gave sigh Of relief The
expression OF her face was so strange
that was more than ever convinced she
suspected the truth.
Il am glad You have given over that
mad idea about Francis being Felix. ."
she said Mt length. Il cannot conceive
what made Won take up so strange be-
| lief. Felix is in Paris. -
Il know that, Miss Bellin- saw
him there"
This ] said in the hope OF startling
| her, but she did not move a muscl. If
her face. Either she WAS keeping well
in hand or was cognizant Of the fact
that Felix had gone TO Paris for the
| purpose Of deceiving me. If 80. she must
have known he was mot Francis, ard
also that my story Of the lone inn trag-
edy was true. II was on INV tongue "a
| ask her If she was aware of the terrible
truth, but on reflection ! judged it best
to let events evolve themselves Fate
could manage these things better than
| a mere mortal
| Il knew YOU would See him there, -
she said coldly, 'but ! cannot conceive
why yOu should desire 10 convince your
self that l spoke truly"
Because, Miss Bellin. believe that
the man who calls himself Francis j.
really Felix"
The same old story" she said i'm
patiently. ''You are mad. IL You saw
Felix in Paris, you must be convinced
that you are making a mistake
"Well, Miss Bellin, we will waiv,
that point for the present ! viii cal
the man 10 whom you are engaged
Francis. p"
las he is, she interpolated iinperi
ously. i let the remark pass and went
Oh with my speech. ''You will no doub
think me highly impertinent, but
wish to warn you against the SO Gale,
Francis Briarfsld. - ....,,..,,.
r. What do you mean. SIR
Simply this: While at the Fen inn
| was waited ON by a woman who call
ed herself Rose Strent. That woman i
now in town acting at the Frivolity the
alter under the name of Rose Gernon. "
And what have TO do with such ;
| sHt a>htd
voice.
Nothing, but your lover has every
thing to do with her
Mr.. Denhamr'
We were both on our feet by thi
time. and she was looking at me witt
wrathful eyes. The crisis so dreade
had come. but il was now too late to re
treat, and there was no help for il bu
to go on.
''Be angry with me If you like, Mis-
Bellin." said as soon as was able
''but il is il your own interest speak
MY OWL interest"
Yes. This woman Rose Gernon
in lows with Francis b.
81 Nc, nor she murmured her fac
growing white. You are making
mistake."
1T is true" said doggedly, "sh
; | was with him at his chambers yestel
day evening ut 8 O'Clock She will b
there tomorrow evening at the sam