The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-11

 through the collapsed passage the trio
 returned to the upper world. Robert Browne and Lady Agnes were seated on the edge of the foun- tain in Apollo's grotto, conversing ear
 nestly, even eagerly, with MT. Bowles, who stood before them in an unmis- takable attitude of indecision and per. turbation. Deppingham gave Chase look which plainly. revealed his un- easiness.
 You don't mean to say, Lord Dep bingham, that you're afraid the heirs will follow the advice of that rattle headed Saunders" said Chase, with a laugh. ''why, it wouldn't hold in court for a second. Ask Britt.' Britt cleared his throat. Mot for half a second" he said. ''Pm only wondering t Bowles has authority to
 grant divorceA"
 q dare say he has," said Depping ham, tugging at his mustache. Hes -he's magistrate"
 "It doesn't follow" said Chase, "that he has unlimited legal powers" But what are they raging him about down here, Chaser" blurted out the unhappy Deppingham.
 
 Chase suddenly. Deppingham was
 shivering. You've got a chill in that damp cellar. I can assure you posi-
 lively as representative of the oppo sition that the grandchildren of Skaggs and Wyckholme are not going to di
 vorce or marry anybody while I'm here, Britt and Saunders and Bowles to the contrary. And Lady Depping- ham Is no fool. Come on and have something to warm the cockles.'' "All right, old chap" Deppingham
 said, with laugh. "I am chilled to
 the bone. I'll join you in a few min
 utes.'> To their surprise, he started of across the terrace in the direction of
 the consulting trio.
 "Just the same, Chase" said Britt after long silence, "he's worried, and not about marriage or divorce either. He's jealous I didn't believe it was in him.
 See here, Britt; you've no right to
 stir him up with those confounded
 remarks about divorce. You know that it's rot. Don't do it.'' "My dear Chase,' said Britt, waving his hand serenely, 'tI can't help laugh ing at the position you're in at pres ent. It doesn't matter what you get on to in connection with our side of the case, you're where you can't take advantage uf it without getting killed
 by your own clients. Horrible para dox, eh?'
 When Deppingham rejoined them he
 was pale and very nervous. His wife, who had been weeping, came up with
 him, while Browne went off toward the stables with the ex-banker.
 What do you think has happened ?' demanded his lordship, addressing the two men, who stood by irresoSntely. Somebody's trying to poison us! Lady Deppingham's dog is dead-poisoned, gentlemen!' He was wiping the mois- ture from his brow.
 I'm sorry, Lady Deppingham," said | Chase earnestly '.He was a nice dog But hardly think he could have eaten
 what was intended for any of us. If he was poisoned, the poison was
 meant for him and for no one else
 He bit one of the stable 5s yester- day. It.
 That may all be very true, Chase protested his lordship, but don't yeu see it goes to show that some one kas-
 stock of poison on hand, and we may be the next to get it. He died
 half an hour after eating-after eating | a biscuit that was intended for mel
 It's-it's demmed uncomfortable, to say the least"
 I'm sure you need the brandy after all this. Come along. Will you join
 us, Lady Deppingham? said Chase. "No. I'm going to bedr' She start ed away, then stopped and looked at
 her husband, her eyes wide with sud
 den comprehension. "Oh, Deppy,
 should have died! I should have died!' My dear!"
 "I couldn't have lived if''- "But, my dear, didn't eat. it-and here we are. God bless yours He turned abruptly and walked off beside her, ignoring the two distressed Amer
 icans- As they passed through the
 French window Deppingham put his
 arm about his wife's waist. Chase turned to Britt.
 q don't know what you're thinking, Britt, but it isn't so, whatever it is.'' Good Lord, man, I wasn't thinking thatv'
 the minds of those conversant with the situation that the poison had been intended for either Lord or Lady Dep bingham. The drug had been subtly,
 skillfully placed in one of the sand
 wiches which came up to their rooms at II o'clock, the hour at which they invariably drank off a cup of bouillon.