Year: 1874

to put my resignation in their hands, to be
put into force if they thought fit. And there
would be little doubt that they would accept
it, How damaging, too, the story would be
to me when | tried to obtain another appoint
ment.


I had promised to take my wife and chill
drcn for an excursion down the river as soon
as the bank closed, and the youngsters eagerly
reminded me of my promise. [ replied so
savagely and sternly that the children made
off in tears my wife coming to see what was
the matter, Jared little better. | must have
had a sunstroke or something, she told me,
and brought bandages and eau de Cologne.
flung them away in a rage and went out OF
the house. l must be doing something, l
felt, and T hailed cab and drove to Thrap
slows lodgings.


Mr.. Thrapstow wasn't coming home that
night his landlady told me; she thought he
was away for little jaunt but she didn't
know. He occupied the ground-foor of a
small house in Ecclesford street, Pimlico--
two rooms opening into each other. l told
the woman would sit down and write let
ter. She knew me we'll enough, as l frequent
" visited Thrapstow, and she left me to my
self. Then began to overhaul everything,
to try to find out some clue to his whereabouts
A few letters were on the chimney piece; they
were only circulars from tradesmen. In the
fireplace was considerable quantity of char
red tinder. He had evidently been burning
papers recently, and a quantity of them. l
turned the tinder carefully over, spreading it
upon a newspaper. I found nothing legibe
except one little scrap of paper, which the
fire had not altogether reduced to powder, on
which I saw the name Isabel shining with
metallic lustre. Then l went to the bedroom,
and searched that. Here, too, were evident
preparations for flight; coats and other gar
ments thrown hastily into cupboards, boxes
turned out, all odd glove or two lying upon
the dressing table. carefully searched all
the pockets for letters or other documents,
but found nothing. The keys were left in
all receptacles; an instance of Charles
thoughtfulness for others, in the midst of his
rascality.


Lying upon the wash-stand was a card,
which was blank on one side, but on the other
had the name of the photographer printed
upon it. The card was wet, as if it had been
soaked in water; and near the upper end of il
was round irregular cut, which did noi
quite penetrate the card. 1t had evidently
once had photograph fastened on it; &C.
cordingly, the card had been wetted, to taclll-
tate the removal of the photograph, whilst
the face of the portrait had evidently been
cut out, in order to place it in locket or
something similar.


1t struck me at once that the photograph
about which man on the eve of flight would
take so much trouble must be person very
dear to him; probably his sweetheart. AL
though had been intimate with Thrapstow,
he had always been very reserved as to his
own friends and associates, and had no clue
to guide me to any of them except the pho
tographer's card.


ReGntering the cab, drove off to the pho
tographers. There was no number or dis
tinguishing mark upon the card, and the
chances seemed faint that he would be able to
tell me anything about it. Indeed, at first
when the man found that 1 wasn't customer
he seemed little inclined to trouble himself
about the matter The promise ofa fee, how
ever, made him more reasonable and he offer
ed to let me see his books, that l might
search for the name wanted to find 1t was
unlikely that the photograph had been done
for Thrapstow; if it had, there would proba-
bly, appear in the books only the useless re-
cord of his address, already known to me.
Then the man shook his head IT didn't
know the name it was no use looking; the
card was nothing, he said he sent hundreds
out every month. What information could
he possibly give me, then /? Then [ tried to
describe the personal appearance Of Thraps-
tow. But again he shook his head. If be
hadn't taken his likeness he would not be like
ly to remember him, hardly even then, so
many people passed through his hands.


All this time he had been carelessly hold
ing the card in his fingers, glancing at it now
and then, and suddenly an idea seemed to
strike him. "Stop bit," he said, and went
into his dark chamber, and presently emerged
smelling strongly of chemicals. "Look here"
he said, triumphantly. I looked, and saw a
very faint ghostly impression ola photograph.
"It's printed itself through" D." said the man
"they will sometmes-and I have brought it
to light" Eyes, know the original of that"
Again he dived into closet, and brought out
negative with a number and a label to it.
Then he turned to his book, and wrote down
an address for me-Mrs Maidmont Larkspur
Road, Noting Hill.


Away l went to Larkspur Road. Mrs.
Madmonts house was small, comfortable
residence, with bright windows, verandas, gor-
geous window boxes, and striped sunblinds.
Mrs. Maidmont was at home, said very neat,
pretty-looking maid and / sent in my card,
with message: "On most important busl-
ness" The maid came back to say that her
mistress did not recognize the name, but would
I walk in? Twas shown into a pretty draw
ing room on the first floor An elderly lady
rose to greet me with old-fashioned courtesy,
at the same time with good deal Of uneasy
curiosity visible in her face This was not
the original Of the photograph, who was
young and charming girl.


MADAME" said rapidly, Il believe that
my friend Charles Thrapstow is we'll known
to you now, it is of the utmost Importance
that should ascertain where he is at this
moment"


"Stay!" said the old lady. You are labor
ing under complete mistake. I know moth
ing whatever of the gentleman whose name
you mention name never heard before"


Was she deceiving me? | did not think
80.


"Perhaps Miss Maidmont may know" |
said, eagerly.


"Miss Maidmont is not likely to have
formed any acquaintance without her moth
er's knowledge" said Mrs. Maidmont, with
dignity. There seemed to be no alternative
but for me to retreat with apologies.


81 am very busy, you see" went on the old
lady, with wave of her hand, and indeed,
the room, now 1 looked about me, | saw to