Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1899-10-21 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.  In the opening chapter the reader is introduced to Cosmopolitan College and Professor Purfleet. That gentleman was not tall, but of a strong, well-knit figure, with an exceedingly fair complexion. He had, however, dark hair, moustache, and a crisply curling beard, his eyes being deeply mt. Reserved in character, and at the time of the opening of the story wore a troubled look. Herbert Torrington, a collegian and great friend of the professor's through his father, who was an old school friend, suddenly found himself penniless, and what was worse fatherless. A groat loss on the Stock Exchange had ruined his father, who wee a stockbroker, and the shock had killed him. Professor Purflett offers t-mporary assistanoe, which Herbert accepts. Herbert is neat found as a doctor in a small pracuce, oui of which he manages to support himself and hie widowed mother. For six years he was stationed here, and at the end of that period he is able to resume his chemistry studies and researches through a bequest of a wealthy cousin. His return is welcomed by Professor Purfleet. The, professor resigns Ins position at Uosmopoatan Col. legs to join a Colonial college, and Herbert is appointed to fill the vacancy. Herbert receives a mote from Bertha Purfleet, his cousin, which betokens that she is in distress. Berths Purfleet and her early life are both dwelt upon in this chapter. Herbert goes to see her with a view to persuading her to become the wife ct Professor Purfleet. He finds the interan awkward one. He has, however, a little emotes Be receives • letter from the professor informing him that lais embassy has not been in TAIII, end in less than a month Herbert &coma- , pastes the couple to the altar. The life of the professor proves en unhappy one. Herbert falls, it love with the professors daughter, and makes 1114 love known, receiving a favourable answer I both from his sweetheart Gladys and her father. These prominent events in Herbert's life took , tee just after his return from his country praoHe now journeys to see Bertha in answer to her note. He finds that the professor has disappeared very mysteriously, no one knowing wiciela why his has gone. informs Herbert o/ her unhappy life. Harbert suspects that Bertha has something to do in connection with the disappearance of her husband, as she expresses her gladness at his ishoenoli, and exclaims that oho does not want to see him again. Herbert resolves to sift the mystery. An exciting search takes place in the study. No clue is, however, found. Herbert visits all the hotels in the dity. He is deterto plain the matter in the hands of the polioe, and does so, in addition engaging a private detective. Ur We,nlock, a private detective, is employed to try and solve the mystery of the strange dieinansrance of Professor Pardon_ The definite uncial is that the Professor his run away. e examines the house, but finds nothing to =any light upou the affair. Had the Pro gone mad? That was the prevailing question. The conclusion is, as it were, amply proved, the Professor's bag and clothes being misting. A cheque for £5,000 has been presented at the Proferar's bank which justifies the conclusion arrived at. The detective concludes that he has, Eabroad, and expresses his hope of finding Herbert does not agree with the detective. hart also resolves to search. He visits the and gets a descrin of the man who peecanted the cheque. Professor's dress and general appearance are advertised. Herbert ha. a stra.nge experience at his eissoistry classes at the college. The mysterious young man Pelew—Herbert wonders where he hies esea him. He notices something which he soopises. In appearance this strange student ressenblee the man who presented the cheque. A . Herbert interviews Mr Weulock, but Ew no information. Herbert has an exciting with his cousin Bertha, the wife of the • Professor. The detective and Pelew visit trim* and during the evening a man brings * Eng with It. Purfieet's name in it, which had recovered from the river. HerScrt Torrington suspects that Professlar Perfleet has met ins death by foul play, the hat will& TM fetincl in the river gives him conclude* proof. Paley and Herbert become hard and fad friends, and Herbert takes him to the Pun flat' • Mr Wenloch, she detective, was of the opinion teat Mr Puilleet had very ingeniously effected his Teirelli from the cares and resporuribilittes of this He, and public interest was beginning to flag in themse. Bertha, the missing man's wife, arranges • donor party. Bertha would not aceount for a eill=for a large amount signed by Mr Pottiest before his mysterious departure. Berths endeavours to cause strife between Herbert and Gladys (his intended wife) by a wellwMted plot. lilihe details part of a conversation she heed, whioh sounds as though Pelew had teaproposing to Gladys. Herbert informs leadys of his wish that she sees lees of Mr Pelew In future. Berths goes on trying to embitter Herbert minuet Gladys and Pelew. He watches Pelew, and finds no difference in him, and promises Gladys to trust her in all things. Bertha tells Herbert that she has been very frightened by a step on the stairs for eeveral nights In succession. N. decides to watch with her and see who the parson is and to ascertain his bueiness there. They ad• • man enter by means of a latch key. The =is muffled up, and the features cannot be ed. Hubert is about to dash forward when Bertha stops him and whispers that Gladys's love' bee not been true. hut ssys that she loves him, I and she clasps him to her breast By this time the stranger waa returning from the stairs with Gladys. The two stood in the hall and conversed, end than parted with kisses, Gladys returning to her room. Herbert flew like a madman from Purffeet's house and paced the streets. He eventually returned to the house and meets Gladys, asking her the meaning of all he had seen. She reminded him of his promise to trust her, but he seid he could not. They parted. Herbert is about to ofounit suicide, but resolves first to hunt down the ✓illain who has crowed his love. He determines to go to Purfleet's house, where a dinner party was to be held that evening. The cashier at the blink soddenly drew him aside and said that the gsystericrus young man who had cashed the cheque for Professor Purieet was in the adjoining room. Ikljurns out to be Pelew. Mr Wenlook io gent for by Herbert, end is told *se the young man who cashed the cheque had been found. The detective says he has known IMP feat for some time prior to being told. Their reg:s plan is to watch and wsit.