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

I
she doubtless took false name, So as to
battle inquiry
Then what about the landlord, who
called himself Edward Strent.''
''Oh, we must find ont all about him
also. No doubt his name is false also.
Did he look like her father"
| well, ] can't say that there was
much likeness between them. He looked
to me like valet
"A valet" muttered Merrick reflect
lively. Queer! ] wonder if he really
| was valet--yalet to Felix
In that case he'll be with him now.
1T is not impossible. He has Felix
in his power and can stay on just as he
likes. It's my opinion he'll stay till he's
pensione,, OF. Case of blackmail, ]
fancy"
II think Rose Gernon is Matchmaking
Felix also"
Quite so. What else can he expect?
Or else" added Merrick, looking
straight at me, tits case of love and
marriage"
What! DO you think Felix promised
to marry Rose if she helped him to get
rid of his brother?''
Il think he might lead her to believe
he would do so. -
'This is absurd, Merrick," said I
sharply. Felix is in love with Olivia.
The motive of the crime was to gain
possession of Olivia's hand. Rose would
not help Felix if she knew that. ~
Precisely. If she knew it. But it's
my opinion that she does not know ii.
l believe Felix gulled her into belief
that he would marry her if she gave her
assistance, but he has not the slightest
intention of keeping his promise.
''And what excuse could he make for
wishing to murder his brother?''
} ''Ah, there yoa have me! l don't
know that. OF course you and 1 are
} aware of the real motive of the crime,
but Rose is ignorant of it. She thinks
she knows, 10 doubt, but I'm certain
she been put off with a lie"
But he can't keep the information
, from her for ever. Even il he keeps
quiet, some one is bound to tell her that
Felix is engaged to Miss Bellin. ~
There you are wrong" said Mer-
rick, with grim iocularity. Every one
, thinks Francis is engaged to Miss Bel
: lin"
: Eyes, but Rose Gernon knows well
enough that Francis is dead, and that
the engaged man must he Felix posing
as Francis.
There's some truth i'll that, admit
l ted the doctor, looking puzzled Il sup
pose he must have kept that fact from
her so far, rs l don't see what possible
explanation he could give her."
Always assuming she is in love with
him." said / musingly.
''Oh. rs to that, 1 am certain il is so.
A woman like Rose Gernon drawing Q
good salary would not mix herself NJ
in such dangerous business merely foi
money. There is stronger motive, and
that is love. III lay anything" con
timed Merricll, i'll sporting phrase.
Tn lay anything that she is madly IL
love with the fellow.
well, and Olivia, thinking Felix j.
Francis, loves him madly also. If thess
two women come together, there will
be trouble for Felix"
''Eurekap' cried the doctor. jumping
up excitedly, 1.-The very thing WheI
thieves fall out-you know the adage
+ Let US bring the two women togethe.
Ii and see the upshot. -
' There will simply be a row" sale
l. What is the use of that"
d This retorted Merrick sharply
e that when Rose finds she has been be
:, trayed she will reveal all the myster,
II out of revenge and assure Olivia tina
g Felix is not Francis.
1t That's not bad idea, Merrick; ais
r it might occur that Olivia reveals some
thing in her turn. !"
3 impossible She can't possibly know
&c the mans villainy. else she would no
a think of marrying him.
'e Il suppose not, and yet, " / added &c
iectively, Il wouldn't be surprised j
10 she We're coSnizant of Felix's move
E. ments on the 10th and 18th. She Ger
r tainly stuck up for him in the mos
amazing manner at the first interview.
= ''Of course she did, because she be
lie lieves he is Francis. Depend upon il
'e doctor, she knows nothing. and if W
n bring her and Rose together there vii
at be a revolution and q revelation"
u Its worth trying at all events. Blu
how can it be managed?'
by working on the natural jealous
of the sex. Tell Olivia that Felix re
ID ceives woman in his rooms every eve,
TO ing"
lie ''Oh. hang it. Merrick, 9" said l, rec
Sc dening, lit wouldn't be delicate even
y a married woman, let alone girl"
lie ''Of course don't mean you to PIT
y it to her in that barefaced manner.
re said Merricl< hastily, but handle til
D. matter delicately. Wrap it up in suga,
y I leave it to your own Judgment. i
re any case you must rouse the jealousy {
az Miss Olivia Bellin and induce her
~ como with you to the chambers of FL
T. iix when he is interviewing Rose"
Oh "She wouldn't come without he
% mother
ou Then bring her mother along wit
u you This is serious matter, and
~ doesn't do to be squeamish.
ui Then do it yourself, " said I angril-