Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1913-11-13

ble A deep plot, Mr.. Ransom; one
that should prove to you that Mrs.
Ransom's motive in leaving you was
of a very serious character. Do you
wish that mot: re probed to the bot
tom? cannot do it without public
ity. Are you willing to incur that
publicity"
81 must" Mr.. Ransom had risen
in great excitement. Nothing can
hide the fact that my bride left me on
our wedding-day. 1t only remains
now to show that she did it under an
influence which robbed her of her own
will; an influence from which she
shrank even while succumbing to it.
I can show her no greater kindness,
and l am not afraid of the result.
have perfect confidence in her int
grity"-he hesitated, then added with
strong conviction-"and in her love"
The detective hid his surprise. He
could not understand this confidence
But then he knew nothing of the mem
cries which lay back of it.
Every WE'LL" he said. "You still
want me to find her. I will do my
best, sir; but first, cannot you help
me with suggestion or two?"
I?"
There must be some clew to so
sudden a freak on the part of a young
and beautiful woman, who, have TAX
en- pains to learn, has not only clean
record but a reputation for good
sense The Fultons cannot supply it.
She has lived a seemingly open and
happy life in their house, and the
mystery is as great to them as tc
you. But you, as her lover and now
her husband, must have been favored
with condolences not given to others.
Cannot you recall one likely to put
us on the right track? Some fact
prior to the events of to-day, l mean;
some fact connected with her past
life; before she went to live with the
Fultons?"
mo. Yet let me think; let me
think" Mr.. Ransom dropped his face
into his hands and sat for a moment
silent. When he looked up again, the
detective perceived that the affair was
hopeless so far as he was concerned.
NO." he repeated, this time with I'M
mistakable emphasis, "she has always
appeared buoyant and untrammeled
But then / have only known her six
months"
"TeIl me her history so far as you
know it. What do you know of her
life previous to your meeting herr"
1T was very simple one. She had
a country bringing up, having been
born in small village in Connecticut.
She was one of three children and the
only one who has survived; her sis
ter, who was her twin, died when she
was a small child, and a brother
some five years ago. Her fortune was
Willed her, as l have already told you,
by a great-uncle. 1t is entirely in
her own hands. Left an orphan early
she lived first with her brother; then
when he died, with one relative after
another, till lastly she settled down
with the Fultons. know of no secret
in her life, no ENHANCEMENT, not even
Of any prior engagements. Yet that
man with the twisted jaw was not I'M
known to her, and if he is a relative,
as she said, you should have no diff
Guilty in locating him.
81 have a man on his track" Ger
ridge replied. "And one on the girls
too; I mean, of course, Bella BurtOn's.
They will report here up to twelve
o'clock tonight. 1t is now half-past
past eleven. We should hear from
one or the other soon."
"And my wife?"
"a description Of the clothing she
wore has gone out. We may hear
from it. But doubt if we do tonight
unless she has rejoined her maid or
the man with a scar. Somehow
think she will join the girl. But it's
hard to tell yet"
Mr.. Ransom could hardly control his
Impotence. "And I must sit helpless
here!" he exclaimed. 81 who have
so much at stake!"
The detective evidently thought the
occasion called for whatever comfort
it was in his power to bestow.
Eyes," said he. For it is here she
will seek you if she takes notion to
return. But woman is an uncertain
quantity" he dryly added.
Voices here rose in the hall, and a
man was ushered in, whom Gerridge
Immediately introduced as Mr.. Sims.
A runner-and with news! Mr..
Ransom, summoning up his courage,
waited for the inevitable question and
reply. They came quickly enough.