The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-09-11

| in ignorance of all this. The brougham
was ordered to be ready in the stable
yard and not to go round. while Mrs.
| Leithcourt's maid tried to bring the
| lady back to her senses. Leithcourt
himself, it seemed, rushed hither and
thither, Selling the jewel cases of his
wife and daughter and whatever valu-
ables he could place his hand upon,
while the mother and daughter were
putting on their things. AS he rushed
down the main staircase to the library,
where his check book and some ready
cash were locked in the safe, he met a
stranger who had just been admitted
and shown into the room. LeithcOurt
closed the door and faced him. What
afterward transpired, however, is a
mystery, for two hours later after he
and the two women had escaped, leav-
ing the house party to their own diver
slonS, the stranger was found locked
in a large cupboard and insensible.
The sensation was a tremendous one.
Cowan, the doctor, was called, and de-
clared that the stranger had been
drugged and was suffering from some
narcotic. The servant who admitted
him declared that the man had said
he had an appointment with his master
and that no card was necessary. He,
however, gave the name of Chatter"
Chatter" | cried, starting up. Are
you certain of that name?"
Il only know what Cowan told me-"
was my uncle's reply. But do you
know him."
Not at all. Only I've heard that
name before" | said. 81 knew a man
out in Italy of the same name. But
where is the visitor now"
In the hospital at Dumfries. They
took him there in preference to leav-
ing him alone at Rannoch."
"Alone?"
of course. Everyone has left, now
the host and hostess have slipped off
without saying good-by. Scandalous
affair isn't it? But, my boy, you'll re-
member that | always said | didn't
like those people. There's something
mysterious about them, feel certain.
That telegram gave them warning of
the visit of the man Chatter, depend
upon 1t. and for some reason they're
afraid of him. 1t would be interesting
to know what transpired between the
two men in the library. And these are
people who've been taken up by every
body-mere adventures, should call
them" And old Sir George shifted
again at thought of such scandal hap
pening in the neighborhood IF Gilrae |
must let Rannoch, then why in the |
name of Fortune doesn't he let it to |
respectable folk and not to the first |
Fellow who answers his advertisement |
In the Field? It's simply disgraceful,"
Certainly it is most extraordinary
story" l declared. "Leithcourt evil
IDENTIFY wished to escape from his Wis
ltor, and that's why he drugged him"
why he poisoned him, you mean.
Cowan says the fellow is poisoned, but
that he'll probably recover. He is al
ready conscious, hear"
/ resolved to call on the doctor. who
happened to be well known to me, and
obtain further particulars. Therefore
at eleven O'Clock | drove into Dunn
fries and entered his consulting room.
He was a spare, short, fair man, a
triiie bald, and when l was shown in
ne welcomed me warmly, speaking
with his pronounced Galloway accent.
well, 1t is a very mysterious case.
Mr.. Gregg" he said, after | had told
him the object of my visit. THE gentle
man is still at the hospital, and | have
20 keep him very quiet He was poi.
'oned without doubt and has had a
very narrow escape of his life. The
police got wind of the affair and Mac
kenzie called to question him. But he
to make any statement what
ever, apparently treating the affair
7ery lightly. The police, however, are
nystified as to the reason of Mr.. Leith-
courts sudden flight, and are very anx-
Gus to get at the bottom of the curious
lffair."
Naturally. And more especially
Ifter the tragedy up in Rannoch wood
short time ago." said.
That's just it." said the doctor. re- ,
moving his pince-nez and rubbing
hem. Mackenzie seems to suspect ,
ONE connection between Leitbcourt's ,
udden disappearance and that mys-
erious affair. 1t seems very evident !
hat the telegram was a warning to ,
.eithcourt of the man Chater's inten-
ion of calling, and that the last-named :
vas shown in Just at the moment :
'hen the fugitive was on the point of !
eaving." =.
knowing all that did, was not sur. :
'rlsed. Leithcourt had undoubtedly 7
AIKEN him unawares, but knights of in .
ustry never betray each other. >
My next visit was to Mackenzie for ,
HON | had to wait nearly an hour.
S he was absent in another quarter of II
he town.
All, Mr. Gregg" he cried gladly. as q
e came in to find me seated in a chair ~
atiently reading the newspaper. "You =
re the very person / wish to see. Have b
gu heard of this strange affair at 6
i have was my answer. HAS the =
ian in the hospital made any state. r
lent YETI" =,
None. He refuses point blank" an
rered the detective. But my own E,
lea is that 'he affair has very close G
"ds quarry on the Red Ds1 liver. n