Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-03-01
CHAPTER XVII.

1t was some time before Mrs. Nilliers
recovered from the shock caused by her
encounter with her husband. The blow
he had struck her on the side of the head
turned out to be more serious than was
at first anticipated, and Selma deemed
it advisable that a doctor should be called
in. SO Archie went to BaIlarat, and re-
turned to the Pactolus with Dir. Coli,
pee, who soon verified the adage that APP
pearances are deceptive by bringing Mad
anne Midas back TO health in a wonder,
fully short space of time. She was o
convalescent, and, seated in the armchair
by the window, looked dreamily at the
landscape. She was thinking of her hus-
band, and in what manner he would an
noy her next; but she half thought that
having got the nugget he would now leave
her alone.
One result of Madame's illness was that
NJ. Vandeloup had met DIR. GoIlipeck, and
the two, though apparently dissimilar in
both character and appearance. had been
attracted to one another by a liking which
they had in common. This was the study
of t~oxicology, a science at which the &C.
centric old man had spent a lifetime. He
found Vandeloup a %congenial spirit, for
the young Frenchman had a wonderful
liking for the uncanny subject; but there
was a difference in the aims of both men.
Gollipeck being drawn to the study of
poisons from a pure love of the subject,
whereas Vandeloup wanted to find out the
secrets of toxicology for his own ends.
Wearied of the dull routine of the Of
flee work. Vandeloup was taking a walk
in the meadows which surrounded the
Pactolus, when he saw DIR. Goilipeck Shut
fling along the dusty white road frcm the
railway station.
"Good-day, Monsieur lie Medecin,' said
Vandeloup, gaily, as he came up to the
old man. "How goes the great work -
"Capitally." returned the doctor. with a
complacent smile Just finished Catherine
dc Medici'-wonderful woman, sir-quite
a mistress Of the art of poisoning"
"Humph !" returned Vandeloup,
thoughtfully, Il do not agree with you
there; it was her so-called astreloger,
Ruggieri, who prepared all her potions.
Catherine certainly had the power, but
Ruggieri possessed the SCIENCE very
fair division of labor for getting rid Of
people, I must say-but what nave you
got there?" nodding towards Il large book
which Gollipeck carried under his arm.
For you," answered the other, taking
the book slowly from under his arm-a
work on toxicology."
"Thank YOU" said Vandeloup, taking
the heavy volume and looking at the title.
French. I see! I'm sure it will be pleas
ant reading"
When he was gone the mocking smile
% habitual to Vandeloup's countenance
faded away, and his face assumed q
thoughtful expression. He opened the
book and turned over the leaves rapidly,
bur without finding what he was in search
of. With an uneasy laugh he shut the
volume with a snap and put it under his
arm again.
He's an enigma" he thought, refer
ring to the doctor; but he can't suspect
anything. The case may be in this book.
but I doubt if even his man with the
barbarous name can connect Castor Van
deloup of Ballarat with Octave Braulard
of Paris.
His face reassumed its usual gay lock.
and he walked into the house and found
Madame Midas seated in her arm chair
near the window looking pale and i'll.
while Archie was walking up and down
in an excited maner, and talking volubly
in broad Scotch. As to DIR. Gollipeck,
that eccentric individual was standing in
front Of the fire in an distracted manner.
Selma was in another room getting q
drink for Madame, and as vahdeloup en-
tered she came back with it.
Good day, Madame" said the French
advancing to the table, and putting
his hat and the book down on it. How
are you to-day?"
Better, much better, thank you" said
Madame, with a faint smile THE doctor
asures me l shall be quite we'll in a week"
with perfect rest and quiet. of course
i~nterposed Gollipeck, sitting down.
(which Madame does not seem likely
to get" observed Vandeloup, Gryly, with
a glance at Mcintosh, who was still pac-
ing up and down the room with an ex-
preston of wrath on his severe face.
"Ou. ay." said that gentleman, stop
ping in front of vandeloup. with n fine
expression of scorn. DO you know
what's the matter wi. me ?" z
.Not being in your confidence replied
CASTOR, smoothly, II can hardly say that
I do"
"It's just that Peter O. yours. said
Archie. with a snort "a poor wicked I'M
SSa.F...:zsas child . Ss.as.
"Archiey- interposed Madame, with
some severity.
Your pardon's begged. men," said Ar
chic, sourly turning to her, "but as for