The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-24
CHAPTER VII

Paris. My mind was much perturbed
US l was quite unable to come to any
conclusion respecting the episode at the
Fen inn. Beyond all doubt had proved
that Francis was at Westminster, Fe-
lix in Paris. Who then, was the man
/ had met at the inn? 1t was impossible
that | could be mistaken in the identity
of my college friend, yet in the face Of
such evidence as l had gathered it was
ridiculous to cling to my first impress
sions. There could not be three brothers
exactly alike in personal appearances,
and yet l had beheld three men-at the
Fen inn, at Westminster and in Paris
who rescmbled each other in every re-
spect. The more l pondered over the
mystery, the deeper did it become, and
the more confused grew my brain.
began to think that I was the vic
tim of some hallucination, as could
explain the matter in no other way.
With this idea, which was the only
feasible one left to me, 1 took the adj
vice Of Felix and on my return to town
went to SEQ DR.. Merrick. He, special
ist on diseases Of the brain, listened to
my story with great attention and ques-
toned me closely on all points.
''There is some trickery about this,
Mr.. DeDham," he said after considera-
ton.
you do not, then, think my meeting
with Francis Briarfeld was a halluci-
nation?'' l asked eagerly.
''rhere is no hallucination about you,
sir, was the comforting response. "You
seem to me as sane and matter of fact
person as l ever met.
Then, if 1t is not hallucination, how
do you account for my having met three
men all exactly alike when | know
there are only two with that special ap-
pearance in existence?"
Il think it is trickery," repeated
Merrick, nursing his chin. This is
moro case for a detective than for a
doctor We're l you, Mr.. Denham, 1
would employ good detective and probe
the mystery thoroughly. The matter
seems miraculous to you now, but feel
cure when you learn the solution you
will be surprised at its simplicity"
If | am sane, as you say and as /
believe myself TO be, l will thrash out
the matter myself. "
Better get a trained man, Mr.. Den
ham. From what you have told me
see you have to deal with criminal of
no ordinary intelligence. 1t is an ex-
traordinary case" mused the doctor,
land 1 do not wonder at the fsscina,
tion it seems to exercise over you.
Were | i'll your place" -
Were you in my placer" seeing he
hesitated
Here am setting up for lawyer, "
said Merriclr quantity. "To tell you the
honest truth, Mr.. Denhsm, you have
inoculated me with detective fever. |
should like to solve this problem my
self. Criminal investigation has always
been rather hobby Of nine In my
business meet with some queer expe-
riences. There are more insane people in
the world than you think.
Tell me your ideas, doctor, and I'll
carry them out and report progress.
Good I'll be the sleeping partner" "
he said in an amused tone, "but warn
you, Mr.. Denham, that from what see
of this case it will be one Of great diff
Guilty and may take months to work
out
II don't mind that. 1t is nothing to
an idle man like myself, but l am
afraid, Dr. Merrick, take up your val
uablo time "
"Oh, / can spare few minutes, "
said the doctor quickly "I work hard
enough, so it is permitted to oven pro-
fessional man to indulge occasionally
In some amusement. This case is so to
mo"
"Well, and your idoa?"
I'm the first place, am inclined to
agree with your ideas Of Felix passing
himself off as Francis. "
II have abandoned that idea, " said
/ dolefully. 81 saw Felix in Paris"
"Wait moment, " replied Merrick.
We'll come to that later on. Further
more. believe it was Felix you met at
Marshminster-Felix, who called him
self Francis and posed as the lover Of
Miss Bellin.
But / saw him in Paris, /" said /,
again clinging to that undeniable fact.
Il know you did, but the pretended
Francis of Westminster and the real
Felix Of Paris are one and the same per-
son. "
"You mean that he followed me
over. cried, suddenly enlightened
Precisely, and suborned the manager
of the Hotel des Erangers,
But why should he do that?'
Cant you see?" SAID Me1Tick impa-
tiently. Felix wants to put stop to
your following up this case From your
story 1t is quite probable that he killed
his brother through Strent. The whole
circumstances Of tina. lone inn are very
suspicious. Your unforeseen arrival on
that night complicated matters. You
saw how unwilling they were to admit
you. Had you not arrived Francis would
have vanished from the world, and none
would have been bit wiser. But when
you came to BelliS Hall Felix saw
new source Of danger not only to his
character, but to his life. He asked for
nights grace During that night he
went himself to tho Fen inn and hid the
corpse in some hog hole"
"lmpossible"
"Ill stake my life that it is so, F" said
Merriok calmly make inquiries as to
the movements of Felix Briarfeld on
that night, and I'll lay anything you'll
find he went to the Fen inn. F"
"That, then" said /, twas the rea-
son he was SO ready to go there next
morning with mo.
Exactly! He knew well, thanks to
L. a.. IL ~