The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-08

NY N~ London agent whose address Melchior had given to him. While Japhet was staring at it, the man dropped the packet and Japh ct saw that 1t was ad- dressed to Sir Henry de Clare. Mount Castle, Connemara.
 Japhet, filled with his mania for dis covering parents promptly lnterrogat- ed the stranger, who answered surlily, evidently suspecting him. He did, however, manage to learn that Sir Henry had succeeded his brother. Sir William, some time ago. Sir William had left a wife, but no children, their only child, a daughter, having been drowned in mountain torrent years before.
 Japhet noticed that his informant, who proved to be Sir Henry's agent, stepped out at the next stage to look at the waybill. evidently to learn his name The mans secretiveness con- firnled Japhet in his consuming pas sion. He determined to go to Mount Castle. though he couldn't explain to himself what on earth he could expect to find out.
 At the point where stages were to be changed for Connemara. the agent hired a chaise and departed some hours ahead of Japhet. who had to content himself with a poor vehicle at last. As he went on, the journey present ed more and more difilculties. Unac- | countable delays held him back at ev- | cry posting place. The conveyances | became poorer and poorer. Several times there were none ready at all, so that he had to lie over At last, when l he came within a few hours ride of Mount Castle he could hire neither | horse. vehicle nor guide. Undaunted by l the gruff behavior of the people and 1 the evident dislike that they showed him, he determined to walk to the cas- | tie.
 ] At a brook which crossed the road l just before the entrance to the castle l he stopped for a moment. bewlldered l by the darkness of the night. There | came the sound of quick footsteps be | hind him, and as he turned, a savage blow on his head knocked him sense. less.
 When he recovered he found himself locked in some underground place, ap parently a cellar. His head ached des l perately from the blow. He had jus assured himself that no serious harm had been done when the door was un locked and a man entered. It tool Japhet some time to accustom his eye to the dim light; then he recognized his visitor. It was Melchior
 Ignoring Japhets angry words, Mel chior said: "Japhet, Sir Henry want Fleta to be delivered to him. Give u her address and write an order to tn school where she Is, so we can send fo her and you shall be released"
 "I absolutely refuse" said Japhei You want to harm her. What Is you connection with Sir Henry?"
 That I cannot tell you" said Mel chior. T am in his power and he Is desperate man, who exercises auto cratic rule In this part of the county You are lost if you do not accede. shall leave you to think 1t over.'
 For three days Japhet was left in hi dark cell. being visited every day b Melchior and refusing anew each da to tell where Fleta was. On the fourt day Japhet. infuriated. said to Mel chior: You are Sir Henry de Clare And I am convinced that you wish t put Fleta out of the way because sh has some claim on the estate left b your brother"
 Melchior's face became that of a de mon. He opened his lips to reply. bu turned away without a word and lief the cell. For two days Japhet lay i the dark without food or drink A last he heard footsteps. The door wa opened and closed. Two men stood i the chamber, each armed with a grea sledge hammer
 Its all over with me" cried Japhe and I shall never find out who Is m father. Come. on. murderers, and d your work quickly"
 The two men advanced without speak ing word. The foremost set dowI his lantern and swiftly swung hi hammer with both hands. At that in stant the man behind him raised hi weapon and struck the foremost mal dead with single blow.
 .rF.E- Japhet well knew. It was the voic of Timothy Horses are near by, fo we stipulated to leave the country tn moment it was done. Hurryr
 Japhet lost no time. Little was sail while they tore through the night, til they had reached a post town and ha entered the inn. Then Timothy ex plained his providential arrival on tn scene.
 He had gained the gypsy's entir confidence and had led him on a fals trail to a boarding school where h had pretended that Fleta was installed They prepared to enter the house an kidnap her. This naturally require some time. About the time their ar engagements were completed a messag arrived from Melchior bidding hin postpone his attempt for the presen and hasten to Mount Castle where i'm portant work was to be done.
 Timothy went with him and Iuckil managed to deceive Melchior. who of gored them f200 for putting somebod out of the way. Timothy had learne that Japhet was in Ireland. He imme diately suspected who the intende victim was and entered eagerly int the proposed murder. The rest wa simple
 Japhet now felt sure that Melchio was Indeed, no other than Sir Henr, de Clare. and that Fleta was an heir ess to the estates. The latter idea be came a conviction with him when h. reached Dublin and discovered iron Sir Williams will filed there that onl, a small portion of the estate was en tailed, while the rest went not onll to male heirs. but also to females.
 He dispatched letter to Sir Hsnrl