Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-22
THELONE INN
By FERGUS HUME.
[Copyli..Lt, 1894. by the Author.l
CHAPTER VII.

turned forthwith to London. l had &C., complished the object of my journey and did not care about staying longer in Paris. My mind was much perturbed, as I was quite unable to come to any conclusion respecting the episode at the Fen inn Beyond all doubt had proved that Francis was at Marshminster, Fe- lix in Paris. Who, then, was the man I had met at the inn? It was impossible that could be mistaken in the identity of my college friend, yet in the face of such evidence as had gathered it was ridiculous to cling to my first impres- sions There could not be three brothers exactly alike in personal appearances, and yet I had beheld three men-at the Fen inn, ar Marshminster and in Paris who resembled each other ill every re- spect. The more I pondered over the mystery, the deeper did it become, and the more confused grew my brain.
 I began to think that was the vic tim of some hallucination, as I could explain the matter in no other way. With this idea, which was the only feasible one left to me, took the ad vice of Felix and on my return to town went to see Dr. Merrick. He, a special ist on diseases of the brain, listened to my story with great attention and ques- tioned me closely on all points.
 .'Therc is some trickery about this, Mir. Denham,'' he said after considera- tion.
 You do not, then, think my meeting with Francis Briarfield was halluci- nation?" asked eagerly.
 t., h rnfi a1o sir, 'was the comforting response. You seem to me as sane and matter of fact a person as I ever met. :"
 Then, If it is not hallucination, how do you account for my having met three men all exactly alike when I know there are only two with that special ap- pearance in existence:"
 II think it is trickery," repeated Merrick, nursing his chin. This is more case for a detective than for 0 doctor Were I you, MT. Denham, I would employ good detective and probe the mysscry thoroughly. The matter seems miraculous to you now, but feel sure when you learn the solution you will be surprised at its simplicity"
 If am sane, as you say and as believe myself to be, I will thrash out the matter myself"
 Better get n trained man, MT. Den ham. From what you have told me see you have to deal with criminal of no ordinary intelligence. It is an ex- traordinary case" unused the doctor, and 1 do not wonder at the fascina- tiOn it seems to exercise over you. Were i'll your place"-
 Were you ill my placer" seeing he hesitated
 Here am I setting up for lawyer, " said Merrick quaintly. ''To tell you the honest truth, Mir. Denham, you have inoculated 1!.e with detective fever. I should like to solve this problem my self. Criminal investigation has always been rather hobby of mine. In my business I meet with some queer expe- riences. There are more insane people in the world than you think. "
 Tell me your ideas, doctor, and I'll carry them out and report progress. '
 Good! I'll be the sleeping partner. " he said ill an amused tone, but warn you, Mr. Dcnham, that from what I see of this case it will be one of great diff culty and may take months to work out"
 II don't mind that. It is nothing to an idle man like myself, but I am afraid, Dr. Merrick, take up your val uable time. .
 ''Oh, 1 can spare few minutes, !" said the doctor quickly. II work hard enough, so it is permitted to even q pro- fesSional man to indulge occasionally in some amusement. This case is so to me"
 Well, and your idea:"
 Tn the first place, am inclined to agree with your ideas of Felix passing himself off as Francis. II have abandoned that idea" said I dolefully II saw Felix in Paris v
 Wait moment, replied Merrick. We'll come to that later on. Further more. believe it was Felix you met at MarShminster-Felix who called him. self Francis and posed as the lover Oi Miss Bellin."
 "But I saw him ill Paris said 1, again clinging to that undeniable fact.
 II know you did, but the pretendeG Francis of Marshminster and the req Felix of Paris are one and the same per son.
 "You mean that he followed mt over." cried, suddenly enlightened.
 Precisely. and suborned the manage of the Hotel des Etrangers.
 But why should he do that:''
 Can't you see:" said Merrick impa tiently. Felix wants to put stop t your following up this case. From you story it is quite probable that he kille his brother through Strcnt. The whol circumstances of that lone inn are yer suspicious. Your unforeseen arrival O that night complicated matters. Yo saw how unwilling they were to admi you Had you not arrived Francis woul have vanished from the world, and non would have been bit wiser. But whe you came to Bellin Hall Felix saw new source of danger not only to h character, but to his life. He asked fC a nights grace. During that night l went himself to the Fen inn and hid tt corpse in some hog hole" "
 ''ImpOssible!'
 I'll stake my life that it is so, sad Merrick calmly. Make inquiries as Ge9 fa ..i..:..