The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-05-17
CHAPTER VII.

The influences of established prin-
ciplee and correct associations may
carry an ordinary man to success in
proper channels, but the successful
villain is necessarily an intellectual
being. In his room Holbin gradually
evolved from his discoveries the con-
clusion that he had an active enemy
near at hand, and that plot was
fhickenin9 about him. Yet who was
there in Richmond that knew enough
of his history TO place finger upon
the blacklist spot in his life2 And
why the enmityP Two theories pre-
eented themselves, and only two
love for Frances Broobin and love for
the BroolSin wealth. Since IL was
clear that the girl had been too long
secluded, and too recently grown to
have formed many friendships in Rich
mond, evidently the money was the
potent influence in the secret opera
lions about him. But who had been
shot, and why?
Holbin labored under the immense
disadvantage of a man without init
mate friends. he had gravitated rap
idly during his short stay in the city
towards the fast set; men cassed
him quickly as Sporty" and women
looked on him with doubt. People
who had at heart the interests of the
latter looked even more coldly upon
the debonair man of the world. The
fact that he was the son of Mrs. John
Brookin was a disadvantage, for So
ciety had never been enamoured Of the
successor to the gentle little lady who
once presided over the Broolin man
sion. Intimates he had, but friends,
none. In his perplexity over the mys-
terry into which he had been plunged
Holbin turned at length to DR.. Brod-
mar. lie had seen the doctor upon
rare occasions only, and in some way
he had understood that he was not
favorably regarded by Mrs. BROOKLYN;
but the basis of this lady's dislikes
was, as he knew, not legitimate. DR..
Brodnar, in succeeding to his fathers
practice some years before, had in a
way inherited old Mr.. Brooldn, and
that individual had firmly resisted his
new wife's efforts TO substitute her
own physician for him. The doctor
was a distant relative of the dead
wife, one of the few links which
bound the old man TO happy past;
and as people grow old they dislike
new family physicians.
No one is quicker to recognize a
straightforward, honest man than
one who is himself dishonest and
tricky. Holbin estimated Brodnar as
q clear-headed, blunt, impolitic fell
low, beyond the comprehension of
plots and counterplots-a man to be
used if his confidence could be gained.
He was, most likely, In position to
serve him; for IL was Raymond's con-
clusion that the shortest way TO ar
rive at the truth of the shooting lay
in the discovery Of the wounded man.
And If the victim were not actually
Brodnar's patient, Brodnar might cas-
lily identify him. II was a tribute TO
Richmond's popular physician that
Holbin decided at once that the best
chance for success lay in a seeming
ly frank and open statement of the
main facts. The doubtful point was
Louise. Brodnar had been present
at the reading of the will when the
question concerning her was asked;
but, he concluded, over hastily,
Brodnar could hardly know anything
about her beyond the name that had
been uttered. He determined. with a
gamblers quick decision, to play the
stake, eupposing that if he did not
win his loss would be small
He entered the doctors Office upon
the afternoon of the funeral and
presently the door between the inner
and outer offices opened. Brodnar
stood upon the threshold looking at
him. At once Holbin remarked a sin
gular expression in the physicians
face. Afterwards he recalled that
Brodnar reached back and closed the
door behind him.
doctor" he began, disregarding the
others stiffness and formality, 81 have
called to consult you on a certain mat
ter of a private nature directly affect
ing the family with which we both
to some extent, are connected. Have
you few moments TO spare me?" The
doctors face had darkened percepti-
bly, and was turned aside for a moment,
81 am afraid, SIR" he said, at length
"that you have made a mistake. / am
not qualined to advise you in any re-
spect. know Of nothing affecting the
Brookin family suppose you refer
70 the Brookins-in which we could
haze common interest. Good evening,
SIR" He turned as il 20 reenter the
room behind him. Holbin stood with
an angry flush upon his face. He rec
ognized instantly that friendly serv-
ice from the doctor was now out of the
question:; but service under moral
compulsion might yet be had
perhaps you are right" he said
seeking to adopt the others freezing
dignity. "And yet you may be mistak-
en--that is, over-hasty. And perhaps
doctor, you do not realize that am not
asking a personal favor at your hands. -
"You will have 10 excuse me-" Again
the doctor placed his hand upon the
door-lsnob and prepared TO depart.
II am then to understand" said Hol-