Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-08
CHAPTER III.

HI.
Under the shadow Of the cathedral tower
dwelt relatives with whom had afore.
time spent school and college HOLIDAYS.
Their house was the goal of my pilgrim.
age and weeks rest was to recoup
me for the tolls Of tho walking tour.
The tragic occurrence ut the Fen inn
altered all my plans. With an assassin To
hc tracked there was no time for com.
Portable idlencss. Francis Briarfield had
'ecn my friend, and I owed it to his
memory to avcnge his death. It was no
rasy task had set myself. recognized
iaat from the first.
lin place, therefore, Of seeking the cen.
:cr Of the town and my maiden aunt
turned off ut the outskirts and made
for Bellin Hall. According to the story
of Francis. his brother was stavinr
with the Bellins, and it was necessary
that should see him ut once about the
matter. My acquaintance with Mrs. Bel
lin and her daughter was confined to
casual conversation ut crowded Eat
homes" during the season Ihad hardly
TN, right to thrust myself on them un.
invited, but my business brooked no
delay. The sooner Felix knew the truth
the better it would be for him. If he
were guilty, could punish him for his
crime by denouncing him ut once to the
authorities; if innocent, he need lose no
time in hunting down those who had
slain his brother. Besides / wished to
put Olivia on her guard against the
man masquerading as Francis Brian
field. That intended to do in any case,
whether he was innocent or guilty.
Bcllin Hall was grotesque specimen
Of architecture, built by jeremiah Bel
lin, who had made his money out of
backing. 1t was uncommonly like a
factory, hut perhaps the deceased Jere-
miah liked something to remind him of
the origin of his fortune and keep him
from thinking his ancestors came over
with William the Conqueror He mar
ried the daughter of a baronet and then
took his departure to the next world,
leaving his widow we'll provided for
and his daughter IN heiress in her own
right.
Mrs Bellin was pretty woman,
with no brains and n giggling laugh
Her daughter had the beauty of her
mother and the brains of her father, so
she was altogether charming girl
How she could tolerate her silly dolly
Of a mother l could never understand
Perhaps 90 years of constant forbearance
had Injured her to the trial
On arriving ut the front door learned
that Mr.. Briarfield was within and sent
up my card, requesting private inter-
view For the present did not wish to
see Olivia, rs IL was my intention to
warn Felix that l was cognizaut of his
trickery. My theory was proved correct
by the following dialogue:
Myself-Is Mr. Briarfield within?
Footman-Yes, sir. Mr.. Francis
Briarfield has just returned from town.
After which question and answer
was shown into a room. Observe that
had said MIR. Briarfield," and the foot
man answered mir. Francis Briarfield.
Now, as l well knew that the man
bearing that name was lying dead at the
Fen inn, 1t was conclusive proof that
Felix, to gain the hand of Olivia, was
incorporating rs his brother. had just
argued this ont to my complete satisfac-
ton when Felix made his appearance.
The resemblance between the brothers
was extraordinary. had some Difficult.
" in pcrsuading myself that the man
before me was not he whom had seen
dead that morning, the same pale face,
dark hair and jaunty mustache, the
same gestures, the same gravity of de-
mcanor and actually the same tones i'll
the voice. There was not the slightest
difference between Felix and Francis.
Tho one duplicated the other. Ino longer
wondered that Olivia was deceived.
Despite my acquaintance with tho
brothers, i should have been tricbed
myself. As it was / stared open mouth.
I'd nj the young man.
This is n pleasant surprise, Den.
ham," he said, looking anxiously ut
me. II did not know you were in this
part of the world"
Eor was / until yesterday. / am on
awilking tour and last night slept at
the Fen inn. ~
The Fc. inn" ne repeated, with a
slight start. What took you to that
out of the way place.
II came by the marshes, and as /
was bclatcd had to take the shelter that
offered"
But. man alive" said Felix, rails
ing his eyebrows, 1.-The inn is cmpty!"
This time il was my turn to he as
tonishcd. IF Felix Thought the i'm was
empty. why did he appoint i. as meet
ing place for his brother: He either
knew too much or too little, so it be-
bowed mo TO conduct the conversation
with the utmost dcxterity.
1T was not empty last night at all
events" rctorted, keeping my eyes
fixed on his face.
JUDGED! Arc gypsies encampcd
thcrc:" he said coolly.
We'll, not exactly" l answered.
omulating his calm. 1T was in charge
of man called Strent and ibis daugh-
ter"
This is news to me- ] vas always
Under the impression that the Fen inn
was quite deserted.
lyon have not been near It lately?"