The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-25
CHAPTER VIII.

intended to keep me with them for
some weeks. l had no objection to this
arrangement, as 1 anticipated a long
and laborious task in ferreting out evil
dence against Felix. The first thing to
be done was to learn all that had taken
place in my Absence and the informa-
tion was ably supplied by Aunt Jane,
seconded by her sister. Inquired about
Briarfield and his fiancee.
"Bellin Hall is to be shut up next
week." said Aunt Jane. "Tho Bellins
are going to town and with them MIR.
Briarfield."
81 wonder they staid here so long
when the season was on in London" "
said Aunt Sophia, "but it was all that
foolish Mrs. Bellin. She chose to con-
slider herself i'll and so insisted upon re-
manning here. Now she can't resist the
attractions Of town life any longer and
goes next week."
"She has to arrange about the we'd
ding, Sophia You know it takes place
in July. Iwonder if Mr.. Felix Bria.-
field will be back in time to be best
man."
"That 1 can safely say is impossible" "
said l dryly.
"But why?" exclaimed both the old
ladies, scenting news.
"Well, he has gone to Italy and from
there goes to the east, " answered, un-
willing to tell the truth. 81 don't see
how he can return in time for the we'd
ding if it takes place in July"
My female relatives looked signifi-
cantly at one another.
"What did l tell you, Sophia?" said
Aunt Jane in a tone Of subdued trl'
umph
"Yss, sister, you are right" sighed
Sophia, shaking her head. Poor young
man! Thought myself he loved Olivia. "
"Who loved Olivia?n asked sharply.
"Felix Briarfeld," said Aunt Jane.
"When his brother went to America,
he was always with her and 10 doubt
loved her dearly. I can scarcely wonder
at that, as she is so beautiful a girl.
But he behaved very well, and when
Francis came back went to the conti-
nent
HE was unable to bear the sight of
his brothers. happiness, " said Aunt So
phia sentimentally. Poor young man!
I have no doubt his heart is broken. He
actually left Marshminster before his
brother arrived from America, so as to
spare himself the painful sight of their
happiness.
saw by this conversation that my
surmise was correct. Felix had fallen in
love with Olivia while his brother was
in America, and selfshly determined
not to give her up had devised the idea
of passing himself off as Francis. With
this in his mind he had gone to Paris
and pretended to stay there, then reap
peared to Westminster as Francis, al
leging an earlier return from Chile as
an excuse. When Francis really return
ed. Felix asked him to be at the Fen inn
so as to rid himself of his brother be-
fore he could see Olivia.
Whether he intended to kill Francis
or to merely explain matters could not
tell, but at all events Francis had been
murdered, and / firmly believed that
Felix was morally guilty Of the crime.
The suppression of the letters, the sub
stitution of himself as Francis and the
dexterous manner in which he had rid
himself of the corpse, according to Mer-
rick's theory, all showed me that l had
dangerous and reckless man to deal
with. But after the clever way in which
he had bafied me in Paris by resuming
his name l was prepared for any vii
lainy at his hands. He had committed
himself so far that he could not draw
back and was compelled to follow crime
by crime in order to bolster up his po-
sition.
He was going to town with the evident
intention Of evading me. Doubtless he
thought that, deceived by the episode
at the Hotel des ETangers, had quite
abandoned all idea of meddling in the
affair. But for Merrick l should GER
tainly have done so. Now that Merriok
saw the matter in the same light as
l did l was determined to go on, but
resolved to give no hint Of this to Felix.
When he left Marshminster, I could
pursue my inquiries at leisure Already
l had been too rash in revealing my in
tentions, for had / not mentioned my
journey to Paris Felix would not have
been put on his guard and baffled mo so
adroitly.
1 had at least gained one important
piece Of information, which i'll itself
was sufficient to break off the match.
The passenger list of the Copiapo proved
conclusively that Francis had not reach.
ed England before the 9th of June, and
this shown to Olivia wouldshow that Fe-
lix was passing himself off as her lover.
With such proof l could stop the mar
riage Immediately, but preferred to wait
until gained further evidence impli-
eating him in tho murder of his
brother. I believed MerricR's theory to
be true and quite expected to find that
Felix had ridden out to the Fen inn for
the purpose of hiding his brother's body
in one Of the bog holes.
"By the way" asked Aunt Jane as
we parted for the night chow does
Miss Bellin look? Like happy bride,
eh?''
"By no MEANS, " replied my aunt SOL
emnly. "She looks i'll and miserable.
But that I know this marriage with
Francis is love match should say she
disliked the idea Of becoming his wife. +"
''No doubt" thought !, "no doubt
Olivia mistrusts Felix already"
l said good night to my elderly rela-
tive and went off to bed. Instead of
turning in, I lighted my pipe and leaned
out Of the window, thinking deeply.
Could it be possible that Olivia had dis
nOvorod tho 1npcetT1rao Tf ca Univ iii RI