The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-05
M WTLnE OOLLINI

. marvelously complex and intricate in plot-Lindeed. the truth is that with perfect prodigality of invention the author used in this one book enough material to make a half dozen novels of absorbi-g interest.
 As in -Ehe Moonstone." the story does not stop where a mystery novel of the mo.ern type would stop--at the solution of the mystery. Instead of this. Wilkie Collins practically makes two equally fascinating tales in each novel.
 First comes the development of the ever-growing mystery, ending in a most unexpected solution, entirely dtf- kerent from that which the reader anticipated: and secondly comes an in- Renious tracing backward of the tangled threads of conspiracy and cir- cumstance in order to clear the plots and secure justice--and again the re- sult in the end is brought about in m amazing way, totally other than that which seemed quite obvious.
 Thus Wilkie Collins worked on a principle quite different from that of Gaboriau and Poe and the school prac- tically founded by them. They and their followers begin almost invariably with the work of solution; that is. the detective or the detector enters the scene at once, and it is the story of his accomplishment that gradually unfclds the plot. Willxie Collins's novels de- aervedly occupy higher place as real Literature and-are much harder to read. They defy the modern skim ming through" system of novel read aag.
 1t was singularly sultry and fore boding night. The heat all day had been excessive even for hot July. Walter Hartrfght, worn out by sum mer of hard toll in his profession. felt all the pulse of life sink low within him as he strolled through the silent and lonely darkness of Hampstead Heath. Suddenly every drop of blood fn his body was brought to stop by hand laid lightly on Ris shoulder from behind.
 He turned. There stood the figure of woman. dressed from head to foot all In white Her hand was pointing steadily to the dark cloud over the city ahead. Her face was quite indistinct under her bonnet With curiously rapid yet curiously mechanical. utter Rnce she asked: "Is that the way to London? Can I get a carriage of any kind2 Is it too late? If you could show me where to get one-and if you will only promise not to interfere with mel want nothing else"
 She laid her hand on his arm and almost impelled him to hurry along with her. She spoke strangely, almost wildly; and when at last 8 cab came Into view she ran to 1t, entered breath lsssly. and was whirled toward Lon don.
 Walter Hartright had been walking about ten minutes more when chaise with two men came headlong down the road they had just traversed. It drew up near a solitary policeman. Have you seen a woman pass this way, policeman?" cried one. "A woman dressed all in white! She has escaped From my asylum"
 Receiving. an answer in the negative. the men drove on before Hartright could say a word.
 The incident, sufficiently disconcert- ing under any circumstances. was un- usually so to him, and troubled him like heavy omen. for in her disjoint- ed conversation the woman in white had mentioned Limmeridge House, in Cumberland, whose dead mistress, Mrs Fairlie, she said, had been kind to her once, long ago. And that very even- ing Walter Hartright had been en- gagged by letter to act as drawing master for the two young nieces of Frederick Fairlie of Limmeridge House
 On his arrival there he found MT. Falrlie, shut up in a heavily curtained and carpeted room, devoted entirely to the care of his precious nerves and anxious to have the drawing lessons begin with as little trouble to himself as possible. As a result. he was thrown at once into quite uncontrolled com- panionship with the two nieces-Ma- rtan Halcombe. bright, amiable, capa- ole, Beautifully formed and full of wo- manly grace. but with a dark face like that of man; and Laura Fairlie, fair . pewitchingly beautiful with wonderful eyes of a turquoise blue and with a nature as sensitive as that of flower.
 Though their names were different they were sisters. their mother having been married twice, first to MT. Hal eomDes Marian'S father, and then to Mir, Eatrlie. Laura's father. Mir. Halcombe was poor and left his daughter practi- ealiy nothing. Mir. Fairlie was rich and left Laura fortune. His brother, Frederick Fairlie. who had succeeded 60 the ownership of LiTnmeridge House, w4s Laura's guardian.
 Ydartright soon told Miss Halcombe the story of his meeting with the wo- man in white, and aroused her curios- tfy so much that she searched through her mothers letters, with the result of finding solution. In one letter, writ ten by her to Mir. Fairlie. who was then away. she told about a new pupil whom she had placed fin the village school founded by her. T have taken a vio- AoHS AdhSys Eu4IIpb Sne wrote. 10 a little girl named Anne Catherick, who is not quite as developed intellectually as she should be at her age. I have dressed her in Laura's old white frocks and hats and my dear Philip, although she is not half so pretty. she does stiIl bear most extraordinary resemblance tn hair color. complexion, eyes and shape of face to our own dear Laura"
 Now followed three months of happi- ness not only for the artist but for the two young women; three months of sketching, riding. walking and look ing at the sea; a happiness that was ended suddenly by the flash of realiza- tion that came to all three at once that Walter Hartright and Laura Fairlie were in love.
 Marian Halcombe with her down. right honesty spoke to him and coun- seled that he go away. as he might SQcver hope to make her his own, since Laura had been engaged for some time to Sir Percival Clyde in obedience to her fathers dying desire. Even had this not been, Hartright realized that fhere was another obstacle. He was penniless and Laura Fairlie was an heiress.
 Before he departed, an anonymous letter came to Laura Fairlie. It warn ed her in mysterious and passionate 1 language not to marry Sir PercIval | Clyde. An elderly woman had given it | to the gardener. Search for her proved | fruitless but in the course of that | search Hartright and Miss Halcombe | .sua yfI