The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-27

III WOrtn trying at all events. But
how can it be managed?"
"By working on the natural jealousy
Of the sex. Tell Olivia that Felix re-
ceives a woman in his rooms every even
ing. "
"Oh, hang it, Me1Tick, said l, red
dening, "it wouldn't be delicate even to
married woman, let alone q girl. "
"Of course don't mean you to put
it to her in that barefaced manner"
said Merriok hastily, but handle the
matter delicately, Wrap it upi sugar
l leave 1t TO your own Judgment. In
any case you must rouse the jealousy of
Miss Olivia Bellin and induce her to
come with you to the chambers of Fe-
lix when he is interviewing Rose. "
"She wouldn't come without her
mother"
"Then bring her mother along with
you. This is serious matter, and it
doesn't do to be squeamish "
"Then do it yourself, said angrily.
"Ip' said he, taken aback. "No. I
don't know Miss Bellin. You are the
proper person. Besides it's better that
she should know the truth, even at the
cost Of shock to her delicacy, than be
tied to brute like Felix, as she Ger
tainly will be-"
"Not if Rose can help it."
"She can't help it if she doesn't
know. And the only way to spoil the
game of Felix is to bring the two wom-
en- face to face Their mutual jealousy
will do the rest, and instead of going
to the altar Felix Briarfeld will find
himself bound for the scaffold."
"True enough. Well. I'll try, Mer-
rick, but it's Job ] don't like" "
He laughed at my scruples and tried
to show me that l was really doing
Olivia a service in being SO plain spo-
ken, but in spite Of all his arguments
departed from his house in low spirits.
/ did not relish the idea of interviewing
Olivia on so delicate a subject, yet |
saw it was imperative and therefore
made up my mind to carry through the
business at whatever cost of personal
Inconvenience to myself. That is the
worst of being an amateur detective.
Ones feelings are not under sufficient
control
The next day | called at Swansea
square and sent up my card to Olivia.
As it so happened, her mother had gone
down to Nottingham with Felix, and
she remained at home on the plea of a
headache She sent down a message to
the effect that she was unwell and
asked me to excuse her. but / scribbled
a few lines ON my card asking particu-
larly to see her. This time the servant
returned with the information that Miss
Bellin would see me for few minutes,
and ] was shown into the drawing
room. felt nervous, but, determined to
go through with the matter, managed to
screw up my courage 1t was a most
unpleasant task, but very necessary if |
wanted to attain my object.
When Miss Bellin entered, l could
not suppress a start, so changed was she
in outward appearance. AS l said be-
fore, she was tall, we'll developed and
very beautiful woman, but now she had
grown thin, and her face wore an anx-
ious expression. | could not help think
ing that she knew something about the
tragedy at the lone inn, as l could con-
lecture no other reason for her i'll health
and manifest discompOsure She came
forward, with nervous smile, and
greeted me in low voice.
"My mother and Mr.. Briarfield have
gone to Nottingham" " she said, sitting
down on a lounge near which my chair
was placed.
81 am not sorry for that" I answer
ed gravely, "as l wish to see you
alone"
"What is the matter, Mr.. Denham?
Have you anything very terrible to tell
me?"
81 think it is terrible. "
"About Francis?' she demanded anx-
iously.
eyes. About Francis"
"Surely you are not going to begin
again about that foolish matter you
spoke of at Marshmhster. "
"No. 1t is not about that.
Olivia passed her handkerchief across
her lips and gave sigh of relief. The
expression of her face was so strange
that was more than ever convinced she
suspected the truth.
81 am glad you have given over that
mad idea about Francis being Felix, y
she said at length. 81 cannot conceive
what made you take up so strange be-
lief. Felix is in Paris. -
81 know that, Miss Bellin. saw
him there. "
This said in the hope of startling
her, but she did not move a muscle Of
her face. Either she was keeping well
in hand or was cognizant of the fact
that Felix had gone to Paris for the
purpose of deoeiving me. If so, she must
have known he was not Francis, and
also that my story of the lone inn trag
edy was true. It was on my tongue tC
ask her if she was aware of the terrible
truth, but on reflection | judged it best
to let events evolve themselves. Fate
could manage these things better thar
a mere mortal.
81 knew you would see him there, y
she said coldly, "but l cannot conceive
why you should desire to convince your
self that ! spoke truly. "
Because, Miss Bellin, believe thai
the man who calls himself Francis il
really Felix. "
"The same old story" she said i'm
patiently. "You are mad. If You saw
Felix in Raris, you must be convinced
that you are making mistake"
"Well. Miss Bellin, we will waiv'
that point for the present l will cal
the man to whom you are engaged
Francis. "
''As he is" she interpolated imperi