The Lamar register., 1901-04-10
CHAPTER XI.

brocade, stained here and there with
punches of crushed holly berries
1t was GLADLY, stiffened and immov-
able, but with widely opened. round
blue eyes.
That she was dead was the first
muttered thought of both Gervis and
Leila.
mo! 'Tain't DEATH" quickly said
old Barnes. glancing at their white
faces. "See ye, Mr.. Gervis. there's a
row of air-holes down each side O. the
chest. saw 'em made myself in the
old squires time, purpose-like. in case
O. this very kind O. thing that's hap
pened now!"
But Gervis was not listening. He
and others who had rushed to the gal
lery were carefully lifting the small.
stiffened form. A mounted groom had
already been dispatched for a doctor.
But something must be done at
once" said Gervis, as they laid the
unconscious girl on an Indian rug on
the polished floor of the gallery.
Somebody was trying to force brandy
through the marble white lips.
MOT a drop will go down! What
are we to do until the doctor comes?"
piteously cried Leila, who, kneeling
little sunny-brown head.
Fetch Mr.. Ansdell!" commanded
Gervis, with sudden inspiration.
Surely the American could give some
help in the pressing emergency. other
wise, what was the value of his So
called scientific reputation?
Mr.. Ansdell! Everybody then re-
membered that, oddly enough. the sci
enlist had not been once seen during
the hours of anxious search. 1t was
curious, to say the least Of it. And
still more curious did 1t appear that
no Mr.. Ansdell hurried to the gallery
in answer to the summons.
Never mind. here's young Doctor
Goring himself, which is better" ejac-
ulated Lady Jane, who had struggled
upstairs more dead than alive from
sheer fright. and looked on helplessly.
Its a trance!" at last pronounced
the doctor, a young man. with all the
latest medical and scientific theories
at his finger-ends. "She has been
hypnotized! Who has done this mis-
chief"
He stood up and glanced round upon
the awe-struck group sternly.
There was no answer, and Doctor
Goring went on wrathfully:
Somebody has got to answer for
this nights work! The poor young
lady has been brought to deaths door.
evidently. by some vile experiment.
Now, then, clear out of this every one
80 Ixy
Jane, but this is not moment for po-
lite speech. I've got life to win back
If can, and l can't have a crowd
round me. Your ladyship can remain.
and, yes, must have Miss Desmond.
If I've anybody" @ 80
One by one the spectators departed
from the gallery, and the young med
fcal enthusiast set to work, with the
result that in a quarter of an hour
GLADLY feebly opened her lips and
spoke.
"I want Leila" was the whisper.
And when she saw that 1t was Leila
herself who was supporting her head
the brides round eyes closed content
edly. d. tfk stElts
"She will sleep now. We must carry
ner 10 ner Deu, Sdlu lJocloT SoliHS,
well satisfied.
you are wanted, sir, at once" came
an urgent whisper; while Gervis. lift
ing his wife in his arms, carried her
away.
What! another case?" The doctor
wheeled around, and he was silently
beckoned to the quarter of the house
known as the bachelors wing.
Lying back in his chair in front of
a writing table, and grasping a folded
paper, was dead man.
The room was in perfect order. There
had been no assault. no murder. no
suicide, SO far as one could judge at
the moment.
But that death had entered the half
open stare of the black eyes, the
dropped jaw, and the marble hue of
the long, lean fingers gripping the
sheet of paper spoke all too clearly.
Little wonder that Paul Ansdell had
failed to join in the search for the
missing bride, failed to obey the sum-
mons for his helpful skill.
He has been dead quite a couple |
of hours" said Doctor Goriag gravely,
secretly wondering what would be the
outcome of this double tragedy.
you must keep this business from
the ladies as long as you cam he said.
turning to Gervis, who had been hast |
lily sent for. There must be an in
quest, of course; and, meantime. l !!
should take possession of that folded |
paper. See, I've managed not to tear
it. You'd best lock it away until you
hand it to the coroner, Mr.. Temple
ton"
Why" gasped Gervis, as he caught |
sight of the close. upright handwrit- |