The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-24
coprRraA7Eo 1894 er TAs AJTHoe

! your obstinacy raised a new danger.
You said you would so to Paris and sat
isfy yourself of the existence of Felix.
Now, then, you remained two days in
| London"
eyes. l was not quite sure whether
it was worth while carrying on the mat
ter. "
1T was a pity you wasted so much
time" said Merrick, 'for Felix took
advantage Of your negligence to slip
to Paris and lay trap for you. In plain
words, he disappeared from Marshmin-
ster as Francis and reappeared in Paris
as Felix. -
''He might have done so. But don t
You think | would have guessed the
identity of the one with the other?"
How could YOU" said the doctor,
'when the twins are alike in every re-
spect? And, moreover, you firmly be-
heyed Olivia Bellin's lover was in
Marshminster "
'But if | go down at once to Marsh
minister I'll detect the absence of Felix
and so guess what has taken place. "
IF you go down to Westminster,
you'll find Felix back again in his old
place.
"Then Paris?'' l queried uneasily. 1
was beginning to SEQ l had been duped.
"You forget Mr.. Felix of Paris has
gone to Italy and left no address. It's
all safe there, and as he said he was
going to the east for six months or so
there will be plenty of time for the pre-
tended Francis to marry Olivia. :"
''You don't believe that Felix of
Paris has gone to Italy or the east?''
"Of course not. | believe he arranged
all these matters to battle your prying
and then calmly returned to Marshmin-
ster. a."
But the manager of the hotel?"
He is in the pay Of Felix. You'll
get nothing out Of him. Now, am GER
tain that is the explanation. Are you
not surprised at its simplicity"
"Yes lam. 1t is astonishing l never
thought of it before.
Columbus and his egg once again, "
said Merrick grimly. well, what are
you going to do next?"
To drive to Westminster and find
out the movements of Felix on the
night after the murder
"Quite so, but first satisfy yourself
on the subject Of Francis.
"What do you mean?" l asked.
"What day Of the month were you at
the Fen inn?" continued Merrick.
"On the 10th of, June"
"Goodl Francis there told you that he
had just arrived from Chile. Now
find out what boat he came by, look up
his name in the passenger list and as
certain the date on which the true Fran
cis arrived in England. That point es-
tablished, you can prove the false Francis
to be an impostor. "
can excellent idea, said |, starting
to my feet "I'll see about it at once"
"And mind" said Merrick, raising
his forefnger, II expect to be kept fully
advised of the case. "
"Never fear, doctor. You are excel
lent at solving puzzles. When / find
another nut, I'll bring it to you to
crack" F"
"Dol l take great interest in this
sort Of cases, ought to have been a
lawyer instead Of doctor. "
"1'm thankful for my own sake you
are the latter" said l, shaking his
hand. "Goodby, doctor, l am greatly
obliged for the kind interest you have
taken in this case. "
Pure selfshness, l assure you, re-
piled Merrioll, and so took my leave
Before searching the shipping lists 1
sent two kilograms, one to the manager
of the Hotel des Etrangers, asking if
Mr.. Felix Briarfeld was still there; the
other to my Aunt Jane, inquiring
whether Mr.. Francis Briarfeld was in
Westminster. This business having
been dispatched, took a hanson to the
city and saw a merchant of my ac-
quaintance. He was an old friend and
willing to oblige me in every way.
Chambers, " said l when in his office,
Il want to find out a ship that arrived
in London from Chile during the pres
ent month.
During June" said Chambers.