Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-01-19

"why not indeedr' I retorted deri-
sively. because we haven't got pic
ture"
II have one at my roons." said Fran
CHS.
where did you get it:'
81 drew it while waiting for Felix at
the Fen inn. You know, Denham, I
have some skill in catching expressions
and watching faces. The fellow struck
me as such q SNUG scoundrel that l
penciled caricature of him while he
moved about the dining room. 1t is not
a photograph certainly. Still / think il
is sufficiently like him.
Capital, said the doctor, rubbing
his hands. Its a good thing You en-
ployed your leisure in that way, Mr..
Briarfield It may do you great serv-
ice"
lyon think l am in danger"
II think you stand in aperilous posi-
ton, replied the doctor gravely. Your
very efforts to preserve your secret and
battle Denham will score against you
with the police. And you must tell
them all, seeing you know where the
body was to be found
I'll tell them all and do the best
I can," said Francis, turning pale,
but Rose can prove was never out of
my room"
"No, she can't Rose went to bed,
and for aught she knows you might
have come down and quarreled with
your brother afterward. Your only
chance, Mr.. Briarfield, of proving your
innocence is to find Strent. If you give
that portrait to the detective watching
Rose Gernon, believe you'll lay hands
on him, but it's mere chance"
There is another means of identifi-
cation" said /. ''Strent is lame, SO if
a lame man calls on Miss Gernon my
detective, aided by the picture, will
now it is Strent''
'Well. go and try my plan," said
Merrick, shaking Francis oy the hand.
Il hope for your sake, MIR. Briarfield,
it will be successful"
When we left the doctor, Francis
looked pale and upset He was just be-
ginning to realize the predicament in
which he stood. was afraid myself
that when all was known he would be
arrested. His own actions looked black,
though 1 knew they were done ont of
pure foolishness. Had he only trusted
me at the time, all the trouble would
have been averted. AS it was, deter
mined to stand by him to the end
Cheer up, Briarteid," said /, clap
ping him ON his back. IF Merrick and
l solved so much of the mystery, you
may be sure we'll find ont the rest"
Its the newspapers I'm thinking
Of" he said ruefully. IF all this
foolishness gets into the press. Mrs.
Bellin will never let me marry Olivia. I"
Il don't think Mrs. Bellin will have
much say in the NATTER" answer
ed dryly. ''Olivia is not the kind of
woman to give up her lover so easily,
particularly when she knows the truth.
She II stick to You, rs l intend to do.
As to the press, you forget that the in
quest is at Westminster, which only
possesses weekly paper. know the
editor and can keep all details out of it.
Cheer up"
Thank you, Denham," said the
poor fellow gratefully. "You are the
best friend 1 have
Faith, you didn't think so at Paris,
Briarfield. I've no doubt that there you
cursed me by all your gods for a meo-
dlesome fool"
| At this he laughed and began to pick
up his spirits. We saw the detective
who was watching Rose Gernon and
gave him the picture drawn by Fran
els, with a full description of the man
he wanted. Especially did we lay
stress ON the lameness, and in the end
our detective promised that he would
nail any man answering to our descrip-
ton. gave him my address at Marsh
minister and told him to wire when he
found out the whereabouts Of Strent
| also told him to wire to Merrick, az
the doctor was anxious to know if his
theory would prove correct.
Next day we went down to Marsh.
minister. BY permission Francis staid
with me at Aunt James house, and
learning that he was in trouble the two
| old ladies made much of him. We saw
tn, inspector of police, who was O
friend of mine, and learned that the
body of Felix Briarfield was at the
/ mOrQue of Marshmiuster The in0ueSi