The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-14
CHAPTER X.
H UNKNOWN.

THE UNKNOWN.
The shades of night were falling as
Arnold Dacre, an anxious disappointed
man, turned his horses head homewards
once more.
The long arduous quest had been vain.
Here a hint, there a''trace of vehicle and
occupants, but only a hint, barely a
trace-clues indefinite, unreliable, which.
followed up. led to nothing.
II give it up!' he muttered' grimlv,
and with savage energy. They have not
gone citywards. West lie the forests, the
scattered settlements, and IL would be like
looking for a needle in a hay stack to
seek them there. One consolation is az
forded me, however: Flora Merwyn's
mysterious friend seems more Of a pro-
tector than a champion. Were he cog
infant of the true state OF affairs, and
intending to unmask or fight me, he
would have gone s~traightway to the
city, to the lawyers. Instead, they are
in hiding. That evidences fear, and
affords me time to penetrate their OBJ
security later on. Tomorrow I will re.
s1me the hunt more thoroughly and sys.
tematically. For the present, important
issues demand careful attention"
He was wearied as he drove into the
little town. He Went straight to his
lodgings. While he ate a rejuvenating
meal, he listened to the gossip OF his
~landlady.
Her tittle-tattle showed that affairs
were progressing in full accordance with
his well.laid cherished plans.
The bankers body had been removed
to his home, and prepared for inter.
ment An inquest had been held, but
the identity of the assassin had not been
established. Meantime a duputy sheriff
guarded the bank, and the quoted mob
relied on judicial interference to give
them their rights eventually. The the
orY had got abroad that Abel Merwyn
had been a sly, scheming s%couudrel, in
stead OF the man of problty and
unsel6Sh public spirit he had been ad-
judged. M%editating wholesale robbery,
adverse speculation had swept his i'll
gotten gains away. 1t was rumored tba:
the failure had nearly killed old John
Wharton, and that the only person who
had striven to save enough from the
wreck to pay the beggard deposits, was
Arnold Dacre, who had remained at his
post of duty like a hero.
Dacre smiled complacently at the in
~telligence. Then, in the shadows Of
dusk, he stole towards the dead bankers
mansion.
1t was silent, solemn, and gloomy. He
meditated a brief call upon the house
keeper-he would venture an inquiry
regarding any possible word she might
have obtained concerning the missing
Flora.
Just about to go up the front steps Of
the house. however, Dacre started vio-
lently, and strained his uncertain gaze
towards the street again.
SIT is not possible" he calculated.
focibly.
At the curb stood a co%Dveyance--a
close carriage. Attached to it, united,
dropping, covered with foam, jaided,
worn out, were TWO grey horses.
1t was the Merwyn turnout, the self
same team that had so mysteriously left
the stable eight hours previous.
What does it mean?"
Uttering the query vaguely, Arnold
Dacre ran excitedly TO the side of the
vehicle. There was no driver in the seat
He pulled open a side door. The vehicle
contained no passenger.
'Oh! MI. Dacre."
He turned sharply at the words. They
were spoken by the housekeeper, who, a
handkerchief held Historically to her
eyes, stood on the covered side porch re-
garding him.
"Oh! it is you?" murmured Dacre. "Tell
me-Miss MerWyn. Flora she has re-
turned?"
mo"
But this carriage?"
Wandered up here a few minutes
since"
"Driven by
mo one, just as you see it. Oh! where
Is my poor mistress-what has become
of her?"
: The schemer's eyes dilated with rapid.
excited thought. To him the situation
was plain. Flora MerwYn and her mys-
ferrous protector had reached a place Of
seclusion and safety, had turned the
horses loose, and they had found their
way home as intended.
I'll take them to the stables" be
said.
He siezed the brides and led the tired
steeds into the court yard. Just unloos'
ening the gates, he looked up as his
name was called in tones Of inquiry, and
a form doomed up in the near distance.
us that you, Mr.. Dacre?"
"Yes, who is it? Oh. the Sheriff.
What is it?"
"You are needed"
The schemer looked annoyed.
"Needed?" he repeated vaguely.
What for? No more bother about the
bank, l hoDe?"
"Oh, no; out 1 think you had bettel
see your old clerk"
'Wharton?"
Yes"
whats the matter with him?"
AS If he did not know! Consummate
actor! AS if he had not anticipated the
very information about to be awarded
to him!
"Well, he's acting mighty queer"
"IIow?"
"Cranky-peculiar. The people say
he's gone clear daft over this trouble.
He's got positively unmanageable."
Arnold Dacre chuckled to himself. Tt
himSelf tno he muttered OmDlaceDtly