Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-02-11
A FOOLISH FROLIC.
BIZ che Author Democratic Duchess Etc
CHAPTER VI.

Mr.. Caterhouse's hall door was opened
to him with an alacrity which seemed
to imply that he was anxiously expected.
showed him, without waiting for him TO
ask question, to the drawing room. The
room was, as before, in semi darkness;
the one lamp being so carefully shaded
that there was hardly light enough to
see to walk about by
The old gentleman was standing by
the table as Montresor entered
"Well done!" he exclaimed in his
queer husky voice and without any
form of greeting, Il did not think you
would be so prompt. Young men are
not always ready to respond to an ap-
peal for help when it involves even
trihing sacrifice"
What can L do for your" Montresor
asked quietly.
Mr.. Caterhouse turned to the table
and seemed to search for something.
Here" he said, taking up q dirty
sheet of paper, this was brought to me
this evening by little boy"
He handed the missiye to NIontresor,
who read on it the following words
MY Dear Uncle. entreat of you to
come at once to my assistance am a
prisoner in this place, and shall be until
/ consent to marry the owner of it, who
has brought me here, or until somebody
Tescues me. This Is the first opportunity
I have ever had OF getting message
sent to the outer world, and if my mes
senger is caught he will suffer for his
pity for me. This place is nine miles
from railway station, and is in the
loneliest part of Essex Come secretly,
and take the household by surprise. For
if you let him have any warming of your
approach he is capable of killing me at
once. At the station ask for Mr.. Thomas
Wilson'S house. Anybody will direct
you. And bring a sufficient force of po-
lice with you. The station is Carleshope.
I am explaining myself very badly, but
/ have become stupid through long cap
tivity. Lose no time, but come at once.
Your niece,
"DENZILIA LAVENHAM.'
Montresor perused this extraordinary
statement with ever increasing bewilder-
ment.
ut seems hardly credible" he began,
that here in England, in these days, a
lady could be kidnapped and kept in any
body's house against her will, especially
a lady whose disappearance has created
such a stir as your niece's has,
"You think the thing is hoax" com
mented Mr.. Caterhouse ''Well, my
niece is certainly capable of hoaxing US
all. But
"And then" continued Montresor. eff
the lady Langrishe and l both saw in
Nottingham gardens was Miss Laven-
ham, how can she have been shut up in
q, house in Essex at the timer"
True" observed Mr. Caterhouse. "But
then suppose Langrishe was mistaken in
the identity of the lady he took for my
niece Denzilia? Confound the Mink"
he added testify. "Let her stay in the
Essex house and get out of it as best she
can, or marry Mr. Thomas Wilson, who,
have no doubt, is quite good enough
for her."
That is all very WELL" remarked Mon
tresor, "but if by any strange chance
the letter is not hoax? Is it in your
niece's handwriting?" he asked suddenly.
Yes" replied Mr.. Caterhouse unhesi
tatingly. at is without any doubt her
writing"
He opened the writing table drawer
and took out a packet of letters.
"There!" he said. "You can see for
yourself. Those are all the letters she
has ever written me-"
Montresor compared the handwriting
with a good deal of interest. There was,
as Mr.. Caterhouse had said, no doubt
that the handwriting of the letter pur-
porting to come from place in Essex
was precisely similar to that on the let
tiers in the packet.
''The girl does not deserve that
should trouble myself about her." Mr.
Caterhouse muttered, Butt cannot
help feeling as if I ought to take some
notice of that letter, improbable as it
seems, and-I don't like, on the other
hand, making fool of you!"
Il don't in the least mind being made
a fool Of" Montresor assured him
earnestly. 81 am quite ready to give
you all the help can"
Il cannot go down into Essex" Mr..
Caterhouse then declared MY health
makes such expeditions perfectly impos-
sible."
you would like me to go'' suggested
the other, with little hesitation.
precisely! don't know why / should
ieel any dltidence in asking you, consid
ering your professed eagerness to be the
man who should discover the where
abouts of Denzilia Lavenham. But -
added the old gentleman with an indie
scribable malicious shrewdness in his
tone, 1t strikes me you are not so keen
upon the search as you were. Got a
young woman in the flesh who has nut
the imaginary Denzilia out of your head
Montresor blushed like bow.
II the first foolish enthusiasm for n
l"ce ! Dad only seen for second under
exceptional circumstances has died
away" he said with frank dignity, Il
am none the less sensible that It is the
Saty OF every man worthy of the name
70 DO al that in him lies to clear up the
ssoery that surrounds this unfortunate
Sung lady. / am ready to start for
6rleshope at onee.'
have a conviction that I am send
M yoa on FOOLS Grand" Mr.. Cater