Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1899-10-14 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. In the opening chapter the reader is introduced to Cosmopolitan College and Professor l'urfleet. That gentleman was not tall, but of a strong,' well•knit figure, with an exceedingly fair complexion. He had, however, dark hair, moustache, mad a crisply curling beard, his eyes being deeply sat. 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 great loss on the Stock Exchange had ruined his lather, who was a stockbroker, and the shock had tilled him. l'rofessor Purflett offers temporary assistance, which Herbert accepts. Herbert is next found as a doctor in a small practice, out of which he manages to support himself and his widowed mother. For six years he was staticrud here, and at the end of that period he is able to resume his chemistry studies and researches through a bequest of a wealthy cous,n. 11,5 return is welcomed by Professor Purfleet. The professor resigns his position at t,osmopo,itan Co.. legs to join a Colonial college, and Herbert is appointed to fill the vacancy. Herbert rcceivec a note from Bertha.Purfleet, his cousin, which betokens that she is in distress. Bertha 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 of Professor Purfleet, lie finds the interview an awkward one. He has, however, a little success. Ile receives a letter from the professor 'informing him that his embassy has not been in vain, and in less than a month Herbert accompanies the couple to the altar. The life of the professor proves an unhappy one. Herbert falls to love with the professor's daughter, and makes his love known, receiving a favourable answer Poth from his sweetheart Gladys and her father. These prominent events in Herbert's life took place just after his return from his country practice. He now journeys to see Bertha in answer to her note. He finds that the professor has dutsppeared very mysteriously, no one knowing where or why he has gone. Bertha informs Herbert oi her unhappy life. Herbert suspects that Bertha has something to do in connection with the disappearance of her husband, as she expresses her gladness at his absence, and exclaims that she does not want to see him again. Herbert resolves to sift the mystery. An exciting search takes place m the study. No clue is, however, found. Herbert visits all the hotels in the City. H. is determined to place the matter in the hands of the police, and does so, in addition engaging a private detective. Mr Wenlock, a private detective, is employed to try and solve the mystery of the strange disappearance of Professor Purtleet. The definite conclusion is that the Professor has run away. He examines the house, but finds nothing to throw any light upon the affair. Had .the Professor gone road? That was the prevailing question The conclusion is, as it were, amply proved, The Professor's bag and clothes being missing. A cheque for L 5,0100 has been presented at the rf9ft for's bank which justifies the conclusion arrived at. The detective concludes that he hid gone abroad, and expresses his hope of finding Herbert does not agree with the detective. Herbert also resolved to search. He visits the bank, and gets a description of the man who presented the cheque. The Professor's dress and general appearance are advertised. Herbert has a strange experience at his chemistry classes at the college. The mystetious young man Peiew—lierbert wonders where he has met him. He notices something which be recogtusee. lii appearance this strange student resembles the man who presented the cheque. A mystery. Herbert interviews Mr Wehlock, but giu us no information. Herbert has an exciting taryiew with his cousin Bertha, the wife of the miming Professor. The detective and Pelew visit Herbert, and during the evening a man brings a hat with It. Purfleet's name 01 it, which had been recovered from the river. lier`iert, Torrington suspects that Profeactir Purffeet has met his death by foul play, the hat which was frond in the river gives him conclusive proof. Pelew and fle,bert become hard and fast friends, and Herbert takes hint to the Purfleet's. Mr Wenloek, the detective, was of the opinion that Mr Puitlaet had very ingettiouely effected his retreat from the cares and responsibilities if this life, and public interest was beginning to flag in the .caw. Bertha, the missing man's wife, arranges • dinner party. Bertha would not account for a cheque for a large amount signed by Mr Purteet a week blare his mysterious departure. Bertha endeavours to cause 'strife between Herbert and Gladys (hie intended wife) by a well. worked plot. She details part of a conversation she heard, which sounds is though Pelew had been proposing to Gladys. Herbert informs Gladys of his wish that she sees less of Mr Pelew in future. Bertha goes on trying to embitter Herbert against Gladys and Pelew. He watches Palew, 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 several nights in succession. He decides to watch with her and see who the person is and to aeoertain his bueinees there. They see a man enter by menu of a latch key. ll'e figure is muffled up, and the features cannot be discerned. Hubert ia about to dash forward when Bertha stops him and whispers that Gla,dya's love has not been true, but says that she loves him, and she clasps him to her breast By this time the stranger was returning from the Mains with Gladys. The two stood in the hall and conversed, and then parted with kisses, Gladys returning to , her room. Herbert flew like a madman from Purfleet's house and paced the streets. He eventuslly returned to the house and meets Gladys, asking her the meaning of all he had semi. She reminded him of his promise to trust her, but he said he timid not. They parted. Herbert is about to commit suicide, but resolves first to hunt down'the villain who has crowed his love. He determines to go to Purffeet's house, where a dinner party was to he hold that evening. The cashier at the bank iniddehly drew him aside end said that the mysterious young man who had cashed the cheque ter Professor Purfleet was in the adjoining room. It turns out to be Pelew.