Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-03-03
CHAPTER XIV.
The Hupchbnck.

Iuf nuncnBnck-
The two friends found Hurrell al
! home-he lived in chambers in IN OF
the small streets that ran down toward
the river. on the south side of the
Strand.
Frank had expected to see a dwarf.
from Turnbulrs description OF him.
But Hurrell was not that. He was
something under the average height,
with a very keen. pale. smooth-shaven
face. steady eyes and particularly qui-
81 manner. One Of his shoulders was,
unieniabIy. higher than the other.
Don't you lind it lonely, sitting up
here all by yourSelfy' asked Turnbull.
as be glanced down at the street-one
OF those silent thorOughfares ia which
n passenger cab creates quite a sensa-
ton.
"ies, IL is quiet. certainly: but 1
rather like il on that account. l should
not like TO live in the whirl of London.
but here | am close 10 il. and vet out
of il Often not n foot climbs my
stairway from Monday to Saturday:
and the silence is delightful. after the
streets. But. can | be OF any use 10
yout You know. Mr.. Turnbull, |
should only be too glad and thankful
10 have an opportunity OF serving
you"
Not AT present. HurrelI: though /
can assure you that, ii ever the occa-
sion should arise. | will make a bee
line for your diggings. IT is my friend
here who wishes to consult you pro-
fessionaily."
Turnbull laid n stress on the last
word. To indicate what he was about
To say vas in confidence. He then
went on TO tell Hurrell- in Franks
presence. the whole story of Franks
DetrOthai. and his meeting with Joyce.
OF whose death Hurrell had seen q re
port He then went on to say that the
death of joyce had done what his life
could not have effected-it had caused
the separation OF the lovers and that it
was not until lately that Frank had
made any attempt 10 see Ursula. He
then spoke of her disappearance. and
Of Franks anxiety TO know what had
become of her.
While Turnbull had been speaking.
Hrrrell had not uttered a single word,
only making "A note from time to time
in a small note book. holding mp his
pencil as a sign 10 Turnbuii TO give
him time 10 write a few words. When
all had been told him. he sat for a
minute or two in silent thought.
Rather a difficult case, isn't it,
said Turnbull-"not much TO make a
start from. is there"
Hardly anything-hardly anything
at all" said Hurrell. softly. if
speaking to himself. Then. i'm a loud.
er tone. he added: II am surprised
and interested by what you ten me.
though: for, as it happens, 1 am IN
gagged at this IN in tracing the
movements of another young lady.
whom l think l shall find tomorrow.
and from the inquiries | made in her
case I am positively certain that none
of the police or hospital authorities
have had notice OF any accident, or. in
short. any event which could throw
light upon the mystery of Miss Joyce
disappearance. A good deal OF work
will thus De saved: but, in the mean
time. il makes IL the more strange that
no one should know what has become
OF her.
-Of course. il is more than possible.
it Is likely, that the apparent mystery
Is no mystery at all. The young Lady
may simply have left town in a hurry.
and may have forgotten TO send for
her letters. We will hope that it Is 50.
and. indeed. there is no evidence what
ever that this is not the true explana-
ton. But il Miss Joyce has not sim
ply changed her lodgings, or left Lon
don of her own accord. If anything
like foul play or undue influence has
been at work-and repeat that there
Is really no reason why we should sup
pose that there is-it looks as il some
bold and determined hand had been ut
work. Let me ask you a few ques-
TONS he said, turning To Lester.
Certainly said Frank; TASK me-
anything You choose"
Can you give me the names OF any
of Miss Joyce's friends who live in or
near Londong"
-She has none, so far as | know
Not one:'
"No. She led a perfectly retired life
in a small country town. She had new
or. TO my knowledge. been in London
before: and | never heard her speak
of having friends or relations in Lon
DON"
None Of the Tilbridge folks ever
went To settle in London"
mo. l don't believe that when she
arrived here a few months ago. she
knew a soul In the metropolis to speak
TO except myself and Mr.. Clovis"
HE lives in London. them"
Yes Perhaps l ought to tell you
that Clovis was at one time q sutton OF
Miss Joyce's. but when he found that
her affections were as good as en-
gagged he gave way at once. like the
good fellow he is, and ever after dia
his hest 70 helm us-
Indeed" said Hurrell. sympathetic
ally. in any particular wayy
well. by trying 20 reconcile Mr.
Joyce to the idea OF having me for a
son-in-law. and by his sympathy and
advice. Ii was he who put IL into my
head Ia try TO meet Joyce as If we
were strangers. and try 10 strike up a
frlendsaip with him before his preju-
dices had time TO work, as IL We're"
Indeed. That vas his idea, was
il: Then l understand Mr.. Clovis is
In your confidence; He knows where
yCu are living at present;"
"Certa.nly. l should not dream OF
holding anything back from him. And
let me tell YOU. that il you are run.
ming away with the idea that Clio
Wis"