The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-05-27
A MYSTERY SOLVED.

ooh, Max! flung my arms round
his neck and kissed him! What shall
IAoy'
How could you make such mis-
take?"
"In the dusk he looked exactly like
you. OF course, the moment he spoke
my horrible blunder flashed upon me.
and fed. simply cannot face him
at dinner, tonight"
"Oh. nonsense, Ray. will see him
end explain the matter. II he Ia so
much like me. no doubt he Is very
decent fellow"
This conversation took place between
n charming girl and her brother, who
were staying at q certain hotel In
well-known seaside resort. To this ho-
tel came In search Of health to re-
store nervous system which had been
failing lately, and, indeed, had never
quite recovered from shock caused
by horrible incident which had hap
pened to me several years ago.
had been lured by a madman into
his house under pretence of playing
game Of billiards, to find myself
prisoner with an armed lunatic. who
forced me to play the game for the
highest possible stake-life itself. For
tunately | won; but my opponent, al
though be fulfilled the conditions of
our game by shooting himself, with re-
finement of cruelty tied me in faint
ing condition to the billiard table so
that might witness his death. Indeed,
his vindictiveness went further than
this, for he branded my leg with hot
iron, and wrote a paper in which he
accused me Of taking his life.
was charged with the murder, but
acquitted. as the fact Of my being dis
covered bound, and the strange appear
ance of the body attired in the cos
tune of Mephistopheles- character
the mailman endeavored to assume
was sufficient to prove my side Of the
story. Naturally, l was anxious to
solve the mystery Of this most extra
ordinary affair.
needed no proofs to convince me
that the man was mad. But there was
method in his madness. Until met
him in public billiard saloon, whence
he took me to his house, / had never
set eyes on him before. Then what
was the reason for the cruel hatred he
evidently felt towards me? Two clues
] possessed, but as each had proved
useless to the detectives, it was not
likely that they would lead me to So
luton of the affair.
EirSt Jicooyorol that In h,~o Nd iy,<x
my leg the wretch had traced the let.
ters r A G H e. That these letters rep
resented the German word revenge"
was perfectly aware; but what was
to learn from that? That the man
was German? l think not
My other clue was note which
found, during subsequent visit to the
fatal room. hidden under the carpet
Although it bore no address, I suppose
1t was meant for me, as 1t spoke of the
writer being avenged at last after a
chase half-round the world Of one who
had stolen his money, murdered his in
tended wife, and attempted to murder
him
On reaching the hotel another shock
awaited me, though of a somewhat
pleasant kind. AS entered the hall,
charming girl ran up to me- flung her
arms around my neck, kissed me, and
murmured:-
"You darling, I'm so glad you've
come!"
In my embarrassment I said some
thing, but the fair damsel had flown
like a startled bird.
"A little thing like that makes one
feel at home directly" l said to my
self with a smile. looked forward to
dinner that night with much eager
ness, and longed to see the lady who
distributed her kisses SO rashly.
In the drawing room, before the gong
sounded, my wish was gratined. A
man Of about my own age. who bore
q striking resemblance to myself, came
towards me with the charming girl
blushing at his ide. He explained that
the kiss was intended for himself,
and introduced his sister who apollo.
gized for her mistake In the sweetest
manner. l sat next to Miss Carstairs
at dinner, and in course Of conversa
tion remarked that once before had
been mistaken for another man with
nearly fatal result to myself.
"Oh, do tell me all about It," she
said
was about to do so when she added
"But, no; please wait until after
dinner; then Max can hear the story
too"
We three took our coffee in the gar
den that warm September night.
Now" exclaimed Carstalrs, hand
Ing me a cigarette, Ray Is dying tC
near your story, so go ahead"
well" said l, lighting my cigarette
and thinking what a sweet name wa,
Ray Carstairs, although it happened
several years ago, the incident still
remains painfully fresh in my memory
II was an adventure had with mac
billard-player."
billiard player"
"Max." said bis sister, doesn't tha
remind you Of what happened at
YES" he replied, before she coul,
finish the sentence, "but don't inter
rupt. Please 60 on" he added