Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-15

vas 90 like Francis whom I thought
was lying dead ct the Fen inn-so like
the man who passed q Olivia's lover
that for the moment could do nothing
but stare ut him. Yet he could be
neither of the two, for one was dead,
and the other I had left behind ct
Marshminster.
How are you, Denham?" he said,
somewhat surprised at my strange con.
duct. And why do You stare 90 steadi.
II at me?'
Are you Felix BEiarfeldg" gasped.
AS you see, he answered, raising
his eyebrows Surely you know me
we'll enough 70 dispense with 20 foolish
. question
"And your brother:''
He is at Marshminster, I believe,
with Miss Bellin, to whom he 10 engae-
ed. Why do you ask SO strange . ques-
tom"
sat down on the sofa and buried my
face in my hands. Either was out Of
my mind or the victim Of some terrible
hallucination. certainly had met
Francis at the inn and beheld him dead
under its roof. As surely had seen the
man I believed to be Felix ct Marsh.
minister. Yet here in Paris I beheld an
individual who was neither the dead
friend nor the living lover. and he called
himself Felix Briarfield.
II must be mad. must be madw
was al / could say for the moment.
What is the matter. DenhamT" ask
ed Briarfeld. touching my shoulder.
Are you ill.,
then the other. On neither appeared the
least scratch. Yet the man whom I be.
lieved to be Francis had a ragged wound
on the right hand. Ny theory Of q
trance vanished into thin air at this
proof that the men were distinct As
founded by my action. Felix drew back
in some alarm.
How strangely you act, Denham!'
he said uneasily. lis there anything
wrong"
DO you think I am mad:" asked
irritably.
Your action just now was scarcely
the act of a sane person. Why did you
examine my hands,
ITO see if they were cut in any way. +"
He turned the palms of his hands to-
ward me and shock his head with q
slight laugh.
You see" he said, smiling, they
are absolutely free from cut or wound
Why do you expect them TO be marred?''
made no reply, but passed my hand
across my brow. The situation in which
found myself was so strange and en-
barrassing that did not know how to
proceed. In the presence Of facts could
not but admit that my story would
sound but wild invention.
Come. Denham," said Briarfeld
soothingly. lyon are doubtless In some
trouble and have come to me for help
and advice. I'll give both to the best Of
my ability"
Il want neither" muttered in q
low voice, but if you will answer some
questions wish to ask you will oblige
me greatly"
Briarfield drew back with o quees
look in his eyes, as if he thought my
madness was increasing However, he
overcame the dread my actions appar.
emily caused him and answered civilly
enough:
Certainly. ifit will do you any good
What is it you wish to know:'
Were you in England within the
last seven days."
mo: have not been in England fn
at least six weeks"
do you know the Fen inn:"
Never heard of it in all my life :"
Are you acquainted with a CIR
named Rose Strent?''
II don't even know her name.
when did your brother Francis re
turn TO England from South America:
Three months ago"
Have you seen him since his re
| turn"
Frequently in London, but he il
| now. l believe, at Westminster
do you know he is engaged to Mis-
! Bellin?"
''Of course d." said Briarfield
The marriage takes place shortly, an,
/ am to be the best man-that is, il
return in time"
what do you means''
"Well, I'm going to Italy tomorrow,
said the young man, Struggling hi
shoulders. land il is just possible tina
may prolong my tour to the east. Il
that case may be absent from Englan
for at least six months or more. Durin
that time Francis will doubtless MARI
Olivia, and shall not be able to be a
the wedding"
"You have not been in England with
in the last six weeks. You don't kno,
the Fen inn nor of the existence G
Rose Strent," summed up Then
am the victim of some extraordinar
hallucination.
"Y You are very extraordinary alto
gether," retorted Briarield. Now
have answered your questions. pray al
swer mine Why do you ask all thes
things:'
| 1T is a strange story and one whic
you will scarcely believe"
Let me hear it.
Thus adjured, told him the story Z
my adventure at the inn, but suppresse
all mention of the belief l then ente
tanned that the brothers had change