The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-20


The description was short enough,
but it at once brought to Brett's mind
the man he had seen twice before-the
first time by the side of the murdered
woman in South Audley street, and the
second time coming from Mr.. Keighley
Gates rooms in the Metropolis Why
should this man have come with mes
sage purporting to be from him, and
how could he have induced Mabel to
accompany him from the house, and
where had they gone?
These thoughts flashed through
Bretts head with bewildering rapid
ity, but for an answer to them he
sought in vain. He paced up and
down the room, striving to find some
clew to this fresh mystery, and at
length, giving it up in despair, he stood
by the window, each moment fondly
hoping that the next would bring him
the sight of Mabel returning from a
bootless errand.
The minutes passed with awful slow
ness Five O'Clock struck, but she had
not arrived, and Brett turned hopelessly
away from the window.
At quarter past Mr.. Fenton came
in, and Brett at once told him what had
occurred and something Of what he
feared.
.sGood God, Duncanl Who is there
who could wish to harm her?"
Heaven only knows, sir, said
Brett. 81 have been trying in vain to
conjecture, but we must lose no more
time. am going at once to give in
formation to the police, and think it
would be as we'll for you to break the
news to Mrs. Fenton. At present she
knows nothing"
Brett hurried off to Scotland Yard
He had been frequent visitor there of
late, but the mission that brought him
this time was to him the most terrible
Of them all He returned with de-
tective, who took minute particulars
from Soames, the footman, about the
strange visitor and what he had said,
and who learned from Mabel's maid
what her mistress would be likely to be
wearing. Armed with these scant par.
ticulars the man took his leave, with
the assurance that every power the law
possessed should be set in motion to
trace the missing one.
1t was terrible evening for that
house in De We're Gardens. The son was
prisoner, awaiting his trial for MUIR
der; the daughter had been foully de-
coyed. And who could tell Of her fate?
| M, ov,l cko< 20
4 Of utter prostration under the last ter
rible blow that had been dealt Them
and Brett was almost beside himself
with the knowledge of his impotence to
help the woman whom he loved more
than life itself.
/ Brett passed a sleepless night and by
o'clock next morning was again with
the police. Their inquiries had been in
vain. Every likely spot had been search
u ed, all the hospitals had been visited,
but without result, and the clew they
had was too slender to hope for much
success from it.
With weary heart Brett turned
away, determined to take step which
had occurred to him during the night.
It was bold and probably useless
one. In his calmer moments he would
have at once dismissed the idea, but he
had now worked himself up into ter
rible state of excitement and had resolv-
ed to leave no step untaken that might
; possibly lead to clew.
He walked straight to the Metropole
and asked for Mr.. Keighley Gates. HI
. found that gentleman at breakfast il
his dressing gown. He raised his eye
brows when he saw who his visitor was
"You are an early caller. Captain
BRETT" said he
81 must apologize. Mr.. Gates. TO
!. might miss you if called later. TIL,
. fact is, Miss Fenton has been abducted. >
!. "Indeedi am sorry to hear it. bu
you don't think / have had q hand il
the matter, do your"
Hardly, Mr.. Gates but do thinl
you know the man who did it. l hav
every reason to believe it was the maj
met coming from you the last time
called.
i Really! Which man was that?'
''The tall individual l spoke to 70,
. dUUuU. Il6 Cdll6u ull0s6lI LIE. ElGZk0rdlt
!. when l met him some weeks ago, blu
; you said he had given you anothe
name and that he had been on beg
ging errand
All, remember the man.
Can you tell me anything abou
him?'
"I'm afraid l cannot. had neve
seen him before.
Can you tell me the name he CAV
to your"
~ have even forgotten that.
Mr.. Gates gave these replies in a
icily polite voice. Brett saw the inter
rogations did not please him, and h
himself was annoyed at his own wan
of success But he had got it into hi
head that Mr. Gates was withholdin
information he had it in his power t
give, and be grew reckless He stare
at Mr. Gates iaeredulonsly
= ''Do you Doubt my words, Captal