Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-20
THELONEINN
By FERGUS HUME.
ICopyrisht. 1894. by the Author.l

first visit to that sleepy provincial tOwn- 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 n weeks rest was to recoup me for tho tolls of the walking tour The tragic occurrence at the Fen inn altered all my plans With an assassin to be tracked there was no time for com fortable idleneSs. Francis Briarfield had been my friend, and I owed it to his memory to avcnge his death. It was no easy task had set myself. recognized that from the first.
 In place, therefore, of seeking the cen ter of the town and my maiden aunt's l turned off at the outskirts and made for Bellin Hall According to the story of Francis, his brother was staying with the Bellins, and it was necessary that I should see him at once about the matter. My acquaintance with Mrs. Bel lin and her daughter was confined to casual conversation at crowded ''at homes during tho season. I had hardly the right to thrust myself on them un- invited. but my business brooked no delay The sooner Felix knew the truth
  Were guilty, I could punish him for his crime by denouncing him at once to the authorities; if innocent, he need lose no time in hunting down those who had slain his brother. Besides I wished to put Olivia on her guard against the man maSquCrading as Francis Briar- field. That intended to do in any case. whether he was innocent or guilty.
 Bcllin Hall was a grOtesque specimen of architecture, built by Jeremiah Bel lin. who had made his money out of backing. It was uncommonly like q factory, but 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 barunet and then took his departure to tho next world, leaving his widow well provided for and his daughter an heiress in her own right
 MrS Brllin was n pretty woman. with no brains and gigyling laugh. Her daughter had the beauty of her mother and rhc brains of her father. so she was altogether n charming girl How she could tolerate her silly dolly If a mother 1 could never understand. Perhaps 33ycars of constant forbearance had inurcd her to the trial
 On arriving at the front door learned that MT. Br;arficld was within and sent up my y.Irrl, requesting q private inter view. For tEc present did not wish to Sc,' Olivia, as it was my intention to warn Felix that I was cognizant of his trickcry. My theory was proved correct by the following dialogue: Mysclf-Is Mir. Briarficld within? FuOtmau-YeS, sir. MT. Francis Briartirld has just returned from town.
 After which question and answer l was shown into a roOm- Observe that had said MT. Briarfield, and the foot man answered MT. Francis Briarfield. |" Now. as I well knew that the man bearing that name was lying dead ut the Fen inn. it was conclusive proof that Felix, to gain the hand of Olivia, was maS,lucrading aS his brother. 1 had just argued this out to my complete satisfac- ton when Felix made his appearance. The resemblance between the brothers was extraordinary. 1 had some difficult " i'll pcrsualing myself that the man l dead that morning, the same pale face, dark hair and jaunty mustache, the same gestures, the same gravity of de- meanor and actually the same tones in the voice. There was not the slightest | difference between Felix and Francis. | The one duplicated the other. I no longer wondered that Olivia was deceived. Despite my acquaintance with the brothers I should have been tricked myself. As 1t was. stared open month rd at the young man.
 This is pleasant surprise, Den ham," he said, looking anxiously al mc. II did not know you were in this part uf the world''
 ''Nor was until yesterday. am on I walking tour and last night slept at the Fen inn"
 ''Thc Fen inn, he repeated, with q slight start. What took you to that out "f the way place.
 II came by the marshes. and as WAS lslatci had tn take the shelter that offcr,d
 But. man alive" said Felix. rais- ing his eyebrows, the inn is cmpty!"
 This time 1t was my turn to be as trni>hcvL If Felix thought the inn wa, tmpty. why did he appoint it as n meet ing place tor his brother? He either knew too LIuch or too little, so it be hoOyvd ne to conduct the conversation with the utmost deXterity.
 It was not empty last night at al vents, I rvtOrtei, keeping my eye: fixed on his face.
 Indeed. Arc gypSies encampet :hCr':' he said cOOlly.
 Well. not exactly" 1 answered amulating his calm ''It was in charg' If q man called Strent and his daugh Ter"
 This is news to me I was alway under the impression that the Fen i'm was quite deserted |"
 "YOu have not been near 1t latelyf'
 No Nobody goes near 1t They sa, 1t is haunted ''
 ''PshaSv." answered angrily. ''al ! 0ld wife's tale! And yet, added afte g | moments thought ''it may well b l haunted after what took place there las night ''
 This begins to grow interesting. 70 said Felix. Had you an adventure?"
 "Ycs- met with your brother. , 'Impossiblel My brother Felix is i ) Paris
 II am talking of Francis"
 Francis" he repeated. with a di: agreeable smile, Francis? Well. Der :. ham. am Francis"
 II think you are making mistake Briarficld," |" said coldly. Your broth sr Francis slept at the Fen inn las
 night"
 "I slept in this house" - II quite believe that But you al ], Felixr'
 ''Oh." said Briarfield. bursting int
 ! harsh laugh, II see you arc makin