The McCook tribune., 1897-03-12
CHAPTER XIu-fCoNr1xuEp.l }
PRESS ASSOCIATION.

CHAPTER AllL--lCOSTlNUED.D
"Tll have the law for this" he
srowled 81 amt paid to be beaten by
a madman."
You're paid to do my work, not an
others" said Carriston. go to the
man who has overbribed you and sent
you to tell me your lies. Go to him,
tell hirl that once more he has failed.
Out of my sight"
AS Carriston showed signs Of recon-
mcncing hostile operations, the man
fled as far as the doorway. There, be-
ing in comparative safety, he turned
with malignant look.
You'll smart for this" he said;
when they lock you up as raving
lunatic III Try and get post as keep
ser."
was glad to see that Carriston paid
no attention TO this parting shaft. He
turned mir back scornfully, and the
fellow left the room and the house.
Now are you convinced?" asked
Carriston, turning to me.
Convinced of what? That his tale
is untrue, Or that he has been misled,
I am quite certain"
"Tush! That is not worth consider
alton. Don't you see that Ralph has
done ali this? set that man to watch
him; he found out the espionage; sub
orned my agent, or your agent l should
say; sent him here with a trumped-up
tale. Oh, yes; I was to believe that
Madeline had deserted me-that was to
drive me out of my senses. My cousin
is fool after allr'
without further proof 1 cannot be-
lieve that your suspicious are correct"
1 said; but I must own 1 spoke with
some hesitation.
Proof: A clever man like you ought
to see ample proof in the fact of that
wretch having twice called me mad
man. have seen him but once before
you know II l then gave him any
grounds for making such an assertion.
Tell ME, fgrom whom could he have
learnt the word except from Ralph Car
riston?"
was bound if only to save my own
reputation for sagacity, to confess that
the point noted by Carriston had raised
certain doubts in my mind. But if
Ralph CarTiston really was trying by
some inely-wrought scheme to bring
about wha: he desired, there was all
the more reason for great caution to be
exercised
Il an sorry you beat the fellow"
said. He viii now swear right and
left that you were not in your senses"
''Of course he Will? What do I care?"
Only remember this 1t is easier to
get puc into an asylum than to get out
of it"
1t is not SO very easy for sane
man like me 10 be put in, especially
when he is on his guard. have looked
UP the law There must be certifi-
cate signed by two doctors, surgeons
or, l believe. apothecaries will do
who have seen the supposed lunatic
alone and together. I'll take pretty
good care I speak to no doctor save
yourself. and keep out of the way Of
surgeons and apothecaries."
II quite cheered me to hear him
speaking so sensibly and collectedly
about himself, but / again impressed
upon him the need for great caution.
Although l could not believe that his
cousin had taken. Madeline away, was
inclined to think, after the affair with
the spy, that, as Carriston averred,
he aimed at getting him, sane or insane,
into mad-house.
But after all these days we were not
step nearer to the discovery of Made
lines whereabouts. Carriston made no
sign of doing anything to facilitate that
discovery. Again 1 urged him to in
trust the whole affair to the police.
Again ne refused to do so, adding that
be was not quite ready. Ready for
what, wondeTedl