The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-15


| A man entered the summer house A
! quick sigh of relief escaped MuriePs lips.
1t was not the messenger She glanced
at the mans face then started back IN
horror. She recognized him as a man
/ she had frequently seen in the hotel;
/ but his eyes were now bloodshot. his
expression wild. his manner distraught-
John Beresford Cfor it was he) drew
/ a revolver from his coat and raised IT
against himself.
Muriel waited no longer With a little
cry she flung open the door and threw
| herself upon the man. The revolver fell
from his hand.
obi stop, stop!'' she cried. You
can't know what you are doing!"
John Beresford stared at her as
though she were a ghost. He stood mo-
tionless, his arms hanging Imply by his
side, his wild eyes searching her own.
Cant 1 help your" whispered Muriel
gently, all the sympathy of her nature
going out toward him. please let me
try
Help! I am beyond help.' echoed the
man, struggling with the words. Leave
me, for PHYS sake. Mrs. Molyneux.
There is only one way out of this.
How do you know my manner" asked
NIuriel. in surprise
.Molyneux was an old pal of mine,''
answered the other. He would not speak
A sudden inspiration flashed across
AIuriel's brain. What is your name %
she asked.
John Beresford. For PHYS sake leave
me.
Your initials are J. 3, then? Have
you-are the dispatches-''
How do You know about that2' said
John BereSfOrd, raising his head with a
CLEAN of hope in his eyes. Not soul
but myself and the thief knows that it
was stolen from me within the last
tWenty-fOur hoursl"
Mrs. de Ia Fame glided down the fost-
path leading toward the summer house
She was dressed in white. AS she drew
near she caught the sound of voices,
and walked slowly past the doorway.
She gave little dry cough when she
recognized John BeresfOrd and Muriel
MoIyneux.
She seemed annoyed to find the sum
mer house occupied at that moment.
She paced the foOtpath for few mo-
ments and then returned to the hotel.
She went to the pigeonhole where size
generally found her letters aud tele-
grams. 1t was empty Soon after mid
night she went to the pigeonhole again.
There was a sealed packet waiting for
her. With sigh of relief she carried it
hastily to her room and read:
1.-THE Societies Office,
"Stellenbosch-
TO Mrs de la F.:
tHave you procured the ]. B. docu-
ments vet? If SO. the bearer of this is
to be trusted. Give them to him. If
yoU have not yet secured them. tell HIM
when to see you again. J. x de w"
A second note in another handwriting
was inclOSed:
dam-Not finding you this even
ing at the appointed place. am leaving
this note for you at the hotel I shall
be there tomorrow evening at $50 to
receive your answer.
j. X. de VS. Messenger"
Mrs de Ia Fame slept the sleep of the
just that night.
On the following evening she kent the
appointment She was again dressed In
white. Punctual to the moment she
heard mans footstep on the path out
side, and a tall, bearded man stood in
the doorway.
Mrs. de Ia Fame 7 presumed" He
spoke in a deep, gruff voice.
She handed him a carefully sealed
packet, saw him place it inside his
breast pocket. and waited till he dis
appeared With a sigh of relief she re-
traced her steps to the hotel. The next
morning she received an invitation from
Captain Peresford to dine with him that
evening" She handed the note to Mr..
de Ia Fame and remarked, callouslv:
What nerve the man hast Surely he
knows there is nothing for him to do
except to shoot himself He's
Mr. de la Fame laughed harshly.
So that evening a cheerful party as
sembled in the private dining rorm.
Mrs. Molyneux and Mrs. de la Fame
We're the only ladies present, but some
half-dozen men made up the party
With the dessert. John BeresfOrd looked
around at his guests. and placed a
leather case on the table.
I've mad the QueeTeSI adventure since !
I've been in the hotel" he said laughing
It's too rich to keep to myself; it !
mght amuse you2
Fire awayt'' said some one.
Mrs de la Fame turned very white. |
but Muriel watching her every move !
ment. felt no pity.
You know. of course" Beresford con-
tinued, that I was sent down on special |
service to deliver some dispatches TO /
General c., who arrives here this |
evening. Like an ass. made no secret |
of my errand. shall be wiser another /
time. Well, two days go the case with |
the dispatches disappeared You can /
imagine what I felt like. After wild |
searehings for tventy-four hours there
was only one thing to be done"
He then described his meeting with |
adventure with J. x. de VS. mes
senger.
II wrote note he continued. s'and I
inclosed it with the original letter adj
dressing it to a certain lady, whose
name does not matter, asking her to
meet J. x de VS. messenger last night
In disguise I myself represented the
and received my dispatch
case back into my own hands"
The men laughed loud and long
1.-THE sequel, too may be interesting"
said John Beresford, cOOlly- "A couple
of detectives are at this minute collar
ing J x. de WIS man.
ssWhat about the lady?'' he was asked
well, I fancy you'll hear that she
and her husband have been presented
with tickets to Europe by the next
boat
a little choking cry came from Mrs.
de la Fane's lips. She had tainted.