Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-02-21
CHAPTER XVI.
DORA IS STARTLED.

senCe to Joad on the plea OF visit to
friend living the other side Of Canter-
bury and stated furthermore that she
would not return until late that even
ing. 1t was absolutely necessary to
make some such statement, as she knew
not what conclusion would be drawn by
the old man did he learn that her true
destination was London. She suspected
him of knowing more of Lady Burville
than he choose to confess; and with
such knowledge he would guess her in
tention. If so, it might be he would
warn Lady Burville, did he know her
address, which was by no means likely;
therefore Dora was resolved to keep
him in ignorance Of her plan. To
blind Joad was no easy task, as he was
artful dangerous and-she more than
spected-merciless
To avert all suspicion, she rode to
Selling on her bicycle, and there caught
the early train TO London. Resolved on
economy, she purchased third-class
ticket, and had just time to stumble
into a carriage before the train started.
Then she became aware that she had
but one companion in the compartment
"a man. He turned his head as the
train began to move, and she saw with
establishment and some annoyance that
it was Mr.. Pride.
Never mind" she thought, return
ing his greeting with a stiff nod; The
can tell Joad on his return if he pleases.
1t will then be too late for the old man
to do anything, as l shall have seen
Lady Burville."
Like Joad, this man was another
protege of Edermont's, who had procur-
ed for him a small post in private
school at Chillum. Pride was not un-
like his late patron, being short and in
significant-like, with a white beard,
hardly so luXuriant as that Of Eder-
mont, and silvery-white hair In the
distance the resemblance was striking,
but a closer inspection showed the diff
ference between the two men, as Pride
was plump and rosy, with mild eyes
and a good-natured smile. He rubbed
one fat hand over the other, and sa-
luted Miss Carew in his usual CHEEKY
fashion.
4 am glad to see you looking so WELL
Miss Carew," he said brightly. You
go to LOndon?"
"Only for the day, Mr.. Pride" re-
piled Dora, coldly.
"Ah; no doubt you wish to get away
from those pets who swarm around the
Red House in the hope of gaining a for
tune"
"Those amateur detectives?" said
Dora quietly; do you think they will
l:-.o,ro,. "a t-t1fb 2''
"Who knows?" was Pride's reply;
"thev will do their best to do so. Fifty
thousand pounds is worth the earning
Dora considered foir moment, then
turned on him suddenly. "You were at
Canterbury on the night Of the murder
was committed?'
Till close on eleven" returned Pride
easily then l walked back to Chillum:
And you went into Mr.. Joad S
house?"
o'clock"
Did you meet anyone on a bicycle
rs YOU walked to Chillum from Cantetr-
bury?"
"Why." replied the schoolmaster al
ter a moments pause, Il met two peo-
pie, and each rode bicycle. One, a
man. was riding towards Chillum; the
other. a woman, was making Tor Can
terbury."
Did YOU know who they were?"
81 nv dear Miss Carew," said Pride
7 in great surprise-"why, no; took no
particular notice Of them, in the first
Mace: and in the second, they lifted
along so swiftly and noiselessly that l
was hardly aware of their passing.
II suppose you have no clue TO the
assassin?" said Dora abruptly.
mo. If l had, l should not scruple
to earn the fortune"
"Can you conjecture the motive Tor
the crime, Mr.. Pride?"
ST~am-afraid-not," said Pride
slowly. 81 knew Mr.. Edermont well;
hut there is nothing in his past lie ike
" to endanger his safety.
ole thought otherwise. Mr.. Eder-
mont was always haunted by dread
of a violent death"
81 knew that, Miss Carew. Mono
mania. my dear lady-monomanla'
at could not be monomania II 1t came
true said Dora impetuously.
..N-bv not?" replied Pride, In an aug
,,o,,.sti,.a tone" Monomania is the dwell
ing on one particular idea until 1t mis- the
thoughts and life of the thinker. MT
Fdermout may have had reason to sup
,,ose that his life was in danger; but the
ORIGINAL cause may have passed away.
Nevertheless. the habit may have con-
timed. and So" added Pride, with shrug'
Eve may reasonably ascribe our friend
death TO a creature of his imagination
your argument is weak, replied Dora
sniritedlv. Mr.. Edermont believed that
he would die a violent death, and what
he believed came TO pass. That does away
with all sophistries.'
..rut Miss Carew. the cause Of his fear
was done away with before your guar
/ dian died.
How do you know that?"
load told me. We were discussing the
nossibility Of the existence Of this I'M
known enemy whom Mr.. Edermont fear
Cd. and load mentioned that Mr.. Pallant
had set that fear at rest"
DO YOU mean to say that Mr.. Pallant
told him that his enemy was dead?'
"Joad thought that such was the case.
Then you must see," cried Dora, tri-
umphautly chat such supposition does
| away with your theory of monomania-
| Evidently Mr. Edermont's fear was
| founded on no fancy. but on fact"
well. I will agree with you for the
| sql,e Of argument" said Pride, hastily;
'but. granted that all you say is true. it
brings US no nearer the solution OF the
mystery. Admitting that the enemy
~-hor, Mr. Edermont feared really eX-