Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-06-06
CHAPTER VII.

caS+Iond She feared the effect of her
heavy loss on the wealthy widows mlnd,
I'D she was anxious that her brother
~hould not lose his chance. She could not
..,dorstand why Clifford did not strike
homo and win the prize. The keen,
orldIv woman had a very soft spot IN
bor heart for her brother who so often
a,rorod her. To see him and the family
ato+o free from debt would fulfill her
Loorts desire. and she thought Mrs. Ruth
-on charming little woman, well fitted
~ no lady of the manor. Lady Dorring-
lows geese were apt to become swanlike
IN nroportion to their utility. LAS to her
having q dash of the tar-brush-it is
nonsense." she would say to those detrac-
tors who urged this objection. Both
bor fotber and mother were Europeans;
some faraway grandfather was an In
dian nrince-that is no disadvantage in
my opinion.
But no amount of pressing could induce
Mrs Ruthven to quit the murky metrop-
oils She had heard of a charming villa
ON tbe river at Twickenham, and she was
anxious to purchase it. This, and her
dread of the northern climate, compelled
bar 70 refuse her dear Lady Dorrington.>
Marsden. having called twice without
having been admitted, had not again pre-
sented himself. yet Mrs. Ruthven did not
fnd fine hang heavily on her hands. She
went more than once to see her man of
business respecting the purchase she wish
ed TO make. for she was keenly interested
in financial matters and eager to get the
full worth Of her money, and she had
long and exceedingly confidential inter-
:.l v,;+ vntu
Eveseigh.
At the end of a fortnight from the date
of the robbery Shirley announced his re-
turn. after, he said, having seen his sister
start for the Riviera, for Mrs. Ruthven
had really been out when he called.
1t was dull but dry morning and
Mrs. Ruthven was sitting in a low chair
beside the fire, talking to Waite, who had
been reading over some memoranda to
her.
Il think l have formed distinct plan
now" he said, after a pause, by which
| hope at least to unrayel the plot. l
must dog the suspected culprit by day and
by night
You must she returned.
1T will be costly, madame"
Il cannot help that; only find out the
truth"
There was another pause.
"Iou are not an Englishman" said
Mrs. Ruthvcn suddenly.
"A naturalized Enslishman. My moth
er was English
And your father?'
"A Pole. resided both in Germany
and France in my youth, and am able to
speak several languages, which find very
useful"
Il expect Captain Shirley here imme
Giately. We must deal cautiously with
him. Mrs. Ruthven resumed. HE is
very shrewd and suspicious, and will, l
know. disapprove of my applying to you
without his interposition.'
Then he should not have run off to
Ostcnd when he might have been want
ed" said Waite grimly Time in such
matters is valuable, as / dare say he
knows, and we have lt~t a good deal"
Now, Mr.. Waite, after you and Cap
tain Shirley have seen each other, |
should like to test your power of dis
guiSing YOURSELF
Il am ready to submit to any test you
choose. madame"
Good. | shall arrange for Captain
Shirley to call upon me tomorrow, and
you shall appear in a different character.
Viii You venture so much?'
"Certainly"
1T might answer another purpose also"
She resumed, thoughtfully. ''At all
events You must appear to so abroad"
That might answer. though there are
enough hiding places in London to shelter
most rogues, and the less a secret is
fenced with precautions the safer it often
is"
Here Mrs. Ruthvcns courier brought
her card
oh. Captain Shirley. Yes, l will see
hin. BE with me here at seven this even
ing she said. low and hurriedly. Il
will give YOU some important directions.
Waite bowed as Captain Shirley" was
announced
so You really have come back? l
thought YOU had deserted me-" said Mrs.
huthyen, with languid graciousness, as
She stretched out her hand.
My absence was you may be sure. I'M
aVoldable," he returned, with a quick in
QuiSitive glance at the detective.
This" said Mrs. Ruthven, sis the
celebrated Mr., Waite"
oh. indeed" His brows knit them
selves for moment. Then you have
found him for yourself
Il have When in doubt. play trump,
and my trump has always been self
help"
No one can help themselves better.
And what have you done?'
LAS yet but very little. Eth, Mr.. Waiter
1T is a difficult case, very. l have,
however. formed some idea"
Indeed" cried Shirley, eagerly. "And
that is
Not to be talked about at present. l
shall only say that my suspicious point
70 foreigner, whom l shall have to fol-
low. Perhaps. sir, you would be so good
as to tell me what you remember of the
oall-l mean the night Mrs. Ruthyen's
rubieS were stolen?"
Oh. my recolections are of little use.
was not dancing, but finding the heat
oppressive. l went outside, and, seeing
one of the servants, asked him to bring
HE case Of cigarettes from the smok-
ing room. which were remarkably good.
90 l missed haipw cf any f1Sp nr the first