The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-30
PRIZE DETECTIVE STORIES, No. 25.

"I think there were three inside the
carriage and one outside. -
"I'm going to drive up to the hall,
Hughes; isuppose can get trap at the
hotel?'
"Yes; but it's long drive-eigh miles,
as j told you, at least. %
l made my way to the hotel, and en-
gagged light two-wheeled dog cart TO
take me TO the hail, and a man TO show
me the way. While they were being got
ready partook of a hurried and rather
late lunch. In short time l was on my
way TO the hall at brisk rate
/ enjoyed the drive immensely. The
horse was a good one, the roads were
hard and dry, the air was clear and brac-
ing, and the scenery through which we
passed was of an extremely interesting
character. Added TO this the excite
ment OF the chase was upon me, and
felt my blood coursing through my veins
more quickly than II was wont 10 do, as
told myself for the twentieth time that
should find the object OF my search safe
and sound at Rhydowen Hall.
The hall was visible for full mile be-
fore l reached il. 1t was most delightful
ly situated on the slope of a wooded hill,
and was approached from the high road
by rather long carriage drive.
left the conveyance at the lodge gates,
walked up TO the hall, and told the foot
man that i wished to speak TO Sir Philip
for few minutes on an important matter
of railway business. l was shown into a
luXuriously furnished room and there Sir
Philip soon Joined me. He was man of
splendid physique and with a kindly face
IA fine specimen of a country gentleman.
i had several times seen him before, when
lie had been travelling by train, and my
face was evidently not unfamiliar TO him.
"Good day TO you Inspector; sit down"
he said, as he entered and courteously
-
want to see me on railway business. {"
"Yes, Sir Philip" l said; "a boy dis
appeared very mysteriously last night
when travelling from Rhyl to Connah's
Quay by the 6:H express, which starts
from Bangor at $780, and / have been in
structed TO trace him. / understand you
travelled by the same train, which stopped
specially at Mostyn TO set you down. Will
you kindly tell me whether by any means
the boy got up TO the hall in the carriage
which met you at the station?'
"Yes, he did, replied Sir Philip," "and
he is here now, safe and sound, and, APP
parently, quite happy"
i was immensely relieved. My quest
was ended at last.
~ am very glad, indeed, to hear that, I"
said, "and the boys mother will be
more thankful than | can tell. Can he
return with me at once?''
swell, Pm not sure that he can," re-
piled the baronet. "You may see him, OF
course, but i don't want you to take him
away at present. I'll tell you why. My
eldest son was thrown from his horse yes
terday, and, strange as it may seem to
you, / believe the little fellow is doing
him more good than the doctor. His
Christian name he tells us is Frank, but
he does not speak some words very dis
tinctly, and we cannot quite make out
his surname, although you are no doubt
~. s.ff 10 81 81. "A
ed to find himself in a strange house last
night. He seemed to think il was the
place he was intended TO come to. He
roamed about the house quite freely; bit
too freely we thought at first, for he got
into my sons room, walked up to the
bed, and placed his hand on my sons
We were all surprised at the effect. NV
son, who was in state OF semi-uncon-
seriousness, looked at him fixedly for a
moment or two, and then, with strength
we had not thought he still possessed
raised himself on his right elbow, leaned
forward In bed, and smothered the boys
face with kisses. Then he rank back ex-
hausted. Ii was all so sudden and unex-
pected that we were fairly startled. And
ever since then he has seemed not TO be
able to bear the boy away from him. IL
he only feels the little fellows hand i'm
his, or touching his face or head, he is
calm and content, but IL the hand is
Withdrawn be becomes agitated and rest
less. You will readily understand, there-
fore, that i am very unwilling to part
with the boy just at present. But you
can see him, and telegraph TO his mother
that you have done so, and that he Is all
right And now, Just one question-can
you tell me who is the boys mother?"
"Yes, Sir Philip" / replied, "her
name is FaIrholme. Her name before
was Vaughan-Eth Vaughan;
and have heard today, although she has
not told me herself, that she was at one
time engaged to your son.