Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-02-13

est clue. Yesterday | was on the point
of giving 1t up in despair, when l re-
membered that one of my foreign col
leagues had, through the help of a
medium, obtained some valuable in
formation that put him on the right
trail. | decided to make a final at
tempt, and went to that little restau-
rant, where l hoped to meet man
who l know, is well versed in these
matters. My man did not turn up;
but, fortunately, saw you, and pos
sibly you may assist me-"
Look here, Goron," he cried, with
an excitement such as l should not
have thought was in his nature. Il
can, and will, help you. Strictly be-
tween ourselves, have gone in for
spirituaism. l have splendid me.
dunn for you, man called BOLSTER,
who assists me in my researches. He
Is now. dare say, waiting for me at
restaurant / will bring him here"
Hold hard, Xavier!" I cried. II
shall be delighted to make the &C.
quaintance Of your friend BOLSTER.
You must, however. remember that it
will never do for me, the Chief of the
Detective Police, to let stranger
know that | have recourse to the &C.
cult science to detect crime. The
comic papers would make fine sport
of me. Since you kindly offer to help
me, only you and | must know OF It.
p,f En
me to NJ BOLSTER under another
name, always supposing he does not
know me by sight"
"There is no fear of that" cried
Xavier; "Boissier has been all his life
abroad. and returned to France only
some six months ago. III fetch him.
A moment later Xavier came back,
accompanied by a clean-shaven man
with a large face. My friend intro
duced me as M. Martin from Bor'
deaux, and l had the pleasure of shak'
ing NJ. Boissier's fat, flabby hand
alleged an engagement. and soon
took my leave, after having made
an appointment with Xavier for the
following day.
When we met, Xavier informed me
that Boissier would put himself at
my disposal II wanted to hold any
intercourse with the other world.
"Boissier," he added, 'is wonder
full chap. have the greatest conf.
dence in him. and through him you
will, am sure arrive at good re-
suits" Suddenly he turned to me
with the question:
"Have you heard I am getting mar
ried?"
mo. have no time to 60 into So
ciety. Let me congratulate you. Who
is the LADY,"
He remained silent a moment, ran
his fingers through his hair, and re-
marked:
Her name is Germaine F.. Since
you are interested in spiritualism, |
want you to make her acquaintance.
You will find her an accomplished
girl. She is young. very young-too
young for me-" he added in almost
whisper.
Ieyed my friend narrowly, and dared
not question him, for | felt | was
nearing the secret But he shook his
head, and as we walked together In
the direction Of his house. we did not
exchange a word. On reaching his
door wished him goodnight, when
he seized my arm and said:
"Come in; I want to talk to YOU
We went into his smoking-room,
and his valet had hardly closed the
door, when he exclaimed:
"Goron, don't go in for spiritualism!
The human mind cannot stand It,.
Mine Is giving way under the strain
And then l saw in his eyes the
haunted look that had scared his Sis
ter.
I put my hand on his shoulder, and
said soothingly:
81 see you are fearfully worried.
You know you can trust me-"
With his eyes half shut, as If In
trance, he spoke so rapidly that had
some trouble to follow him.
"Goron, the future has been re-
vealed to me. have heard voices,
and they told me what would happen.
I will perform great deeds, with the
help of woman, my wife, and her
name Is Germaine E.. Evil infiu-
ences are at work against me; but
will escape them, thanks to that wom-
an. She, too, has heard the same
voices. and must obey their injunc-
tons"
Xavier paused moment, wiped the
Precipitation from his forehead, and
continued in quieter tone.
Were 1t not for these mysterious
commands. would never marry that
girl-in every way unsuited to me.
But it is in the decree Of fate. Next
week our banns will be published
had come prepared for something
OF that sort; but this was much more
serious than I had expected, and / be-
gan to wonder how much villany
should detect before l came to the
bottom of the affair.
To reason with a man apparently
under kind of spell would have been
folly. therefore refrained from COM
ment, and said:
81 know OF cases where persons, hav-
ing misunderstood the words OF the
spirits, have tested the accuracy of
their commands by other means. Sup
pose We, too, make another test?"
Xavier, who had been nervously pa