Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-11-20

lieyel to H. Francis hal s ragged wound
on the night hand Ny thcty of q
francs vanished into thin air at thi.
proof that the men were distinct A..
founded by my action. Felix drew back
In some alarm
"lIow strangely you net, Dcnhamr'
he said uneasily. ''ls there anything
wrong!"
"Do you think I am madi" Iaskcl
irritably.
"Your action Just now was scarcely
the act of . sane person Why did you
examine my hands,
"To sco II they were cut In any way "
lie turnoa the palms of his hands To.
warl inc and shook his head with .
sligh, laugh
"You See" he said. smiling. "they
arr absolutely frcc frUm cut or wound
Why do you expect them To L. marrcdl''
I made no reply. hut passed my hand
acros. my brow. The situation In which
I found myself wa. 80 strange and cm.
barra.sing that did not know how To
proc,d In the prosonoe ~ facts could
No., hut admit that my story would
sound but wild invention
Come. DcnhaIn." said Briarh.ld
ioo,hingly. "You arc doubtless IN some
trouble and have coine Ia me for help
and advice I'll give both 20 the bcst Of
my ability"
II want nrithcr." mut'c,ed In q
low voice, hut II you will answer some
questions I wish 20 AK you will obligc
mo grca,ly" "
Briarhcld drew hack with queer
look In his eyes, as II he thought my
madness was increasing. However. ho
oycrrame tho ,lr,ai my actions appar.
ly caused him and answered ciyilly
snough:
Certainly. ifitwill do you any good
What j. II you wish 90 KNOW
"wcrc you In England within the
last sey,n day-i'
"No; I have no, hcen In England for
at least six weeks"
"Do yuu know the Fen innf"
"Ncyor heard ~ IL In all my life. "
"Ac You acquainted with girl
named Rose strntr'
II don't even know her name"
"whcn did your brother Francis ~
turn o. England from south America"
Three months agn"
Have you sen him since his re-
turn"
Frequently In London, but hc Is
now. bclicyc. at MarShminstcr. F"
"Do YOU know ho Is engaged To Mis-
Bcllini"
"Of cuurse do" said Briariield
The marriage takes place shortly, and
am to /. the l.st man--thAt Is, II !
rtum ia time
"What do you mcan'"
"well. I'm going io Italy tomorrow.
said the young man. struggling his
shoulders. 'and 10 IL just possible that
may prOlOng my tour to the east In
that case may b, absent frum England
Tor at least .iI month. Or more Daring
that time Francis will doubtless marry
Olivia, and ! shall no, L. able to H. at
the wedding
"You have not bccn In England with.
in the last six weeks You don't know
the Fen inn nor ~ the existence 81
Roso strrnt," ! summed up Then ]
am the victim ~ some extraordinary
hallucinaiion
"You ar very extraordinary alto
scthcr. rctort~i Briarfcld "SOw ]
have answered your questions, pray nn'
swcr mine Why do you ask all th'sc
thingsf'
lit Is u strange story and ono which
ron will scarccly hclioyo"
''lst me hear II "
Thus adjur,d. I told him the story ~
my adventure nc the inn. but supposed
all mention ~ the lclief then eni"r'
tainrd thl, the brothers hal changed
namr- lie listened aitcntiyely and eyed
mo with some cunc,m AZ the cunclu
.ion ~ the narrative he considered for n
few moments before making any reply.
II hardly know what Ia say. he said
at length. Your story i very circum'
siantial. yet you must have bsn do'
o,iyci ,y the chance r.s.mblanco
II swear that the man ] met at the
Fen inn wa. your brother Francis.
How can that L. when Francis wa.
at Bcllin Hall, and Olivia said he had
not bccn out % the house Besides, you