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THE MYSTERIO ,___..â€"- ‘ ‘Ithn did you see Vassalla again?” "I went to my husband’s cabin, and net Vassalla coming out. He tried to prevent me from going in, but Ieuâ€" lered, and saw my husband dead,with Ma'tteo's stiletto in his breast. Matteo implored me to be silent, and Iobey- yl. I went on shore at once, and Wrote the letter you saw. I would have kept silent still, clnly I heard that he was gpimg to marry my sis- ter and determined U0 save her.” " You say Vassalla’s stiletto was in plcor Verschoyle’s breast,” said Foster, quietly, fixing his kecen eyes on her face. “\Vill you kindly describe the weapon Cl” " An brdinary stiletto," she repliâ€" ed, with a curiously carved ivory han- dle, representing the head of Bacâ€" chus surrounded -wi-tl1 wreaths of grapes and vineâ€"leaves.” “ Yes, that is the description of the Weapon,” said Foster, “but how do you know? it was Vassalla’s l” ' ‘Because my sister told me she had given it to 111111.” Ronald started, mud would have Spoken, as he remembered CaTmcla had said the same thing; but Foster stopped him. " You say,” observed the barrister, smoothly, " that Miss Cotoner gave your cousin the stiletto; may I ask when i” ' "01]., six or seven years ago.” _ . " And! it has been in Vassalla‘s pos- session ever since i” "' Yes,” defiantly; “who else could ’have it f” Foster made no answar; so Ronald {look up the conversation. ‘ ‘What motive had Vassalla for com- mitting this crime 9" he asked, in a puzzled tone; “he would not have nourished revenge all these years.” "Ah, you don’t know a Maltese gentleman,” "he. never forgets an insult. ’My hus- band insulted him seven years ago, and the swore he would kill him. It US CHIN! ON THE 8.5. NEPTUNE the bill, gut their dressingâ€"bags, and =in a few minutes they were on their lway to the station. ' .IVhile I‘Lsfter was getting the tie-- =kets, Mrs. Versclrcyle being on the [platform, Ronald took the opportun- li‘ty to ask his friend a question. "Do. you Ithink her story is true i" I he. asked. ‘ ' ] " If it isn’t, Vassalla can easily l clear'himself," was the ambigulous reâ€" ; ply. l _»â€"â€"â€" CHAPTER. XXV. IilIeanwhile, Vassalla, quite uncon» i'sciu'us of the storm that was about its break over his head, was enjoying ‘himsolf in London, and had made arâ€" ran-gemenvts to go to Marlow and see Carmela. He thought he had quite subdued Mrs. Vverschluyle, ‘and that every impediment to his marriage was r‘elim-ve(l. So he sat in his room at the Langham, smuking and moralizing carinplacently 0n the state of affairs. “ Fortune favors me,” he‘sai-d aloud, idly watching the blue wreaths of snack-e curling round his head. “I have silenced that devilish Bianca, and won my beautiful Carmelaâ€"~bnth at the some. time. But, how wonderful it is -hat the death of Versch'oylc should have been the means of winning me both a wife and a fortune! Now, when I am married lmust be quiet. I will take my charming wife to Malta, and live-crn the estate. She does not care for me now; but she will grow f-cndâ€"y-esâ€"s‘ne will grow fond.” And so he went on building castles in the air, and dreaming vain dreams, that were destined never to become true, for at that moment there 0.1.1110 a‘ kngck at the door, which, if he had known its {All}. purport, would have alarmed him as much as the knocking at the gate did ll/Lacbeth. But, as he said Mrs. Verschuoylegdid nit-t know, he merely called out, “Come. in,” and went on smoking. Enter a [)llZZJBd-LJO'kinug VValter,Sh0\\’- in);r in Mrs. Versclwyle, Ronald Mont- is like the Corsican vendetta with’eith, Gerald Foster,'and a stranger. us.“ "Are you prepared to make this statement in a court of law?” asked Foster, eyeing iher keenly. "Yesl I will swear ’th it on the cross.” ' ' "Vassalla will have to be arrest- Edy) “Of course,” she retorted, defiantâ€" stranger advanced l 5 1y. "I want him to be arrested.” “' For the murder of your husband "at Valetta ?” " Yes I" “ Good 1 We will go up to London toâ€"- night, and take out a warrant.” “ The sooner the better 1” she said, Vindic'tiveiy. “‘\Vill you let me offer you some refreshment?” said Ronald, as he arose to leave the room. “Yes; send me a glass of brandy and soda,” she replied. “I feel worn otut.” [Ronald bowed, and then went out with? Foster to see after their things. They sent up the drink to Mrs. Versâ€" ch‘oyle, and them Ronald wrote alct; for to Carmela, telling her he was goâ€" ing up to .London on business, but did not mention what. Foster paid Vassalla, turning his head saw, them, and sprang to his feet in astonishn uncut. “What the devilâ€"3’ he began, but Mrs. Verschogvlc interrupted him. “ That is the Marchese Vassalla,” she said, pointing to the dumbfounded Maltese gentleman; whercat the and produced a warrant. " Matteo Vassalla, I arr-est yo-u'in the Queen’s nameâ€"” “ Arrest me i” interrupted the Marâ€" chesc. "For the murder of Leopold Ver- schcyle,” finished the (left-olive. “Is this a joke?” asked Vassalla, angrily. ’ ll 17' L011 will not find it so,” said Ron- aid. “ It is my duty to inform you,” said thedetective, stclirlly, "that whatever you say will be used in evidence at your trial.” "Bah l" snarled Vassalla, with a ges- ture of contempt, turning his back om the officer of the law. " Who acâ€" cuses me of this crime f” " I do,” said Mrs. Verschoylc stepâ€" ping forward. W “has iffii 3 fdilgiitlfii ~ By Thoroughly Curing Coughs and Colds Before They Reach the Lungsâ€"'03: Chase’s Syrup of Linseed and Enormous Sale. There would be no use for sanitar- lums for consumptives if Dr. Chase’s advice were more generally accepted. Not that Dr. Chase claimed to be able to cure consumption in its last stages, though his treatment is a great rc- lief to the consumptivc’s cough, but what he did claim was that consumpâ€" tion can always be prevented by the timely use‘of his Syrup of Linseed 1nd Turpentine. It is not a mere cough medicine, but a far-reaching and thorough cure for the most severe , wlds, bronchitis and asthma. It is a pity that everybody on this, great continent does not know of the: ' surprising effectiveness of this great? throat and lung treatment. The news is spreading fast, and Dr. Chase‘si Syrup of Linseed and Turpentine has by far the largest sale of any: similar ' work I procured Turpentine Has an fared in my head and throat and all over my body since last summer from a very heavy cold, which I could not get rid of. I have tried several of what are considered good remedies, but none seemed to be of any avail. I began to think that my cold was de- veloping into consumption, as very many have to my knowledge. I am thankful now to say that Dr. Chase‘s Syrup of Linseed and Turpentine has worked a complete cure, as I am now entirely free of the cold.” Mr. le. Davids-on, St. Andrews, Qua, stateszâ€""Dr. Chase’s Syrup of Linseed and Turpentine has cured Inc of bronchitis. I have, wtihout suc- cess, tried many remedies for the past six years. Last winter when I had la severe attack and was unable to a bottle of Dr. remedy. It should be in every home Chase’s Syrup of Linseed and Turpen- in the land'for prompt use in case pf croup, bronchitis, sudden colds or sore throat. It is truly wonderful in its healing effects on the raw and in- flamed linings of the air passages. It aids expectoration, loosens the tight: chest coughs and positively cures: colds. 1' Mr. J. J. Dodds, of Pleasant avenue, ' Deer Park, Ont, writes :â€"“I have suf- ' tine, and am happy’ to state that the third bottle made me a well man." Insist on having Dr. Chase‘s Syrup of Linseed and Turpentine when you ask for it, and beware of druggists who offer mixtures of their own for the sake of ailittle more profit; 25 cents a bottle, all dealers, or Ed- manson, Bates & 00., Toronto. by far the largest sale of any, other " You l”_'he cried out, recoiling; "you I are: mad to do such; a thing." "No; I am not mad,” retorth Mrs. Verschoyle, " but I would have been --â€" 1 if I had let you marry Carmela." “ 011 l” he said, viciously, looking at Ronald; "So this is a plot to rob me of my promised wife.” “She is null: your promised wife,” cried Ronald boldly; ” she imade the promise under compulsionéâ€"now she is free.” ‘ . “ To: marry you,” said Vassalla savâ€" agely. " If she’ll have naeâ€"yes,” retorted Mo-nteith. ‘ The Marchese turned to Foster. “Mr.â€"~â€" whatever your name is,” he: said, " do you believe this charge.” - " l‘. ted the murder,” returned Foster. " Mrs. Verschlo-yle,” said Matteo, con-'temptuously, " is a madwornan.” “ Am, I?” she returned, quietly; "you’ll find there’s some method in my madness." " I can disprove the whole charge,” said Vassalla, moving toward his writ- ing “table. ‘ “ C-ctue, sir,” said the detective, “we must be going." “Goringâ€"with you?”, retorted Vasâ€" II can disprove this charge," and he threw hpen the and took his portfolio from it. ‘ “fry,” said Mrs. Verschlo 'le, lacon- ically. ' Mu'ttering a curse, the Marchese opened his portfolio, and ran through a number of letters. ,Su-ddcnly he turned round with a ghastly face: “W'here is the paper ?” he asked. " What paper '0” said lvfrs.Ver.râ€"uclnoy1e calmly. “ \Vhat paper? Curse you l” he cried; "you know the paper I meanâ€"the one written by your husband, whom you accuse me of killing.” "I knlhv of no paper,” she said, Iquic'tly, with a sneer; “ this is af'ab- rica‘ticn to delay justice.” " I tell you it’s false,” cried Vassalâ€" la, in despair, " I did n‘c't kill the mun. I defy you to press this charge. When the time comes I can prove my innoâ€" cence, and I decline to. make any statement new.” "Prove your in'noeence,” she said, per, I suppose t” i “Yes; and you know, where it is,” he said. " Maltese dog,” she shrickcd, "you sarcastically, "with the missing paâ€"' and Rcmald looking all: one'anot'her. “What do you think i” asked the Australian. - ' 'I don’t know what to think,” said Foster, " the Marchese says he is inâ€" nncentt.” “All men accused of a. crime say that.” I “Yes; but Ifancy in this case it’s true." “ Then, who killed Versc'hoyle ’3" “I believe his wife did.” "\Vhatl” » .\.§5.â€"l-Z w Sry firemtifc. SHOWING HOW SUFFERING CAN BE ovnnconsx . _._., A )llll operator “1m Suffered from Kidney Trouble Spent Harry Dollars In Usr-lesl Expcrhuvms to restore “ll Hearthâ€"Dr. \‘Hlllnms’ Pink l‘llls Actcd Prompuy and Eirecuvcly. Good health is the chief requisite to happiness, low spirits, morosetness and " Yes, I think she’s accusing Vas- irritability can in most cases be trac- salla out of jealousy.” ell to ill health, and in not a feW' “ But he did not accuse her of the instances are direct symptoms of kid- crime.” “ Not,” he'cer'tainly did not,” about t” “I don’t know,” said Ronald. " It Jordan, Out. is, as you ney trouble. These, added to the seâ€" said vere pains in the back which accomâ€" Focster, musingly. “ It’s a queer case. pany the disease, Irs. Versclmyle says you commit- What was the paper he was talking the SUffel‘er one of abject misery. One mnke‘?‘ the life of such sufferer was Mr. Darius Dean, of Mr. Devan in an inter- say, a. very queer. case. view with a reporter recently gave I’m going d0wn to Marlow toâ€"mor- his experience as follows :â€"“I am a. rbtw.” ” What for i" saw and grist mill operator, and naâ€" turally‘ a strong man; but the life of f‘I ’want to see Carmela, and tell a miller is a hard one, with long her all about the affair.” hours of habor and frequcmt exposure. “Yes, it will be best for you- to do Some years ago as the result of this that,” said Foster, “Perhaps she-may exposure I was afflicted with kidney throw some light on the affair.” trouble, and although I spent much I “I don’t think so; we know eve-ryâ€" money in various remedies I did not salla, in an angry tone, “are you mad? thing she knows.” find a cure until I was persuaded to “ I expect the real reason» you want try' Dr. Williams’ Pimk Pills. In the to .go down is to tell her she is free f” autumn of 1898, the trouble began to said Foster, quizzically. assume an aggravated form. I sufâ€" " She‘s not free yet,” retorted Ronâ€" fered from most severe pains in the ald. back, and a feeling of drowsiness. "To all intents and purposes she and yet so severe was the pain that is.” many a night I scarcely closed my "I want to hear from her own lips eyes. My appetite was poor, I suf- that she considers herself free.” fered from headaches, lost flesh, was “ But you don’t think she’ll marry miserably and wholly unfit for work. ‘Vassalla, normâ€".3, man accused of mur- it was while in this condition that der ?” I was advrsed to try Dr'. Williams’ “I don’t know," said Ronald, with Pink Pills, and procured three boxes. a sigh, "women are such queer area- Before i had finished the third box I tures. She may consider luck.” ,“ I’ll bet you she don’t 1” " I’ll' bet you she does 1" herself felt much better, and I then procuer doubly bound. now he’s down on his a half dozen boxes more. I'used all ~ these, but before they were all gone I felt that my health was fully re~ stored. In the interval since then I "Very well,” said Foster, philoso_ have had just one slight return of phically, “ the Wager will be decid- ed toy-marrow night.” To Be Continued. â€"-â€"-<>-â€" _ WORLD’S BREAD PRODUCERS. Fisllmatm of [he Yield {Pfilclnlly Reported l’rcxa: .‘liany Emu-ems. the trouble, and Dr. Williams Pink: Pills soon .drove this out, and my health smce has been the Very best. I have gamed much in weight, cat and sleep well and consider myself as healthy 9. person as there is in the county; and the credit for this I feel is emtirely due to Dr. Williams’ European reports show'that the con- Pink Ping", (litions of‘faIl-sown wheat, spelt and rye in Germany, as officially report- lie,” and she Wlquld have sprung forâ€" ad by the'Gex-man Statistical Office, war-d, bmly Ronald hold her back. “ I have to thank you for this,” said Vassallu to Ronald, as he put on his hat and (rout, " but I do not forget, is considerably above medium. 'Ihc preliminary official estimate » of French cereal crops for 1901) show the production of 43,612,498 bushels of bar- Dr. Williams Pink Pills increase the supply and the richness of the blood, and in this way cure physical and functional weaknesses. Most other medicines simply act upon the symptoms of the disease, hence .when the medicine is discontinued the pa- I will repay you; and as for you, jade ley and 252,877,918 of oats. The final want is soon as wretChed as ever; that you are. I'll prove myself irnno- estimate, for the 1859 crops is for 45,- cent and then punish you." “Bah! I defy you,” she said, mu:- termptuously ; "you’ll never marry Car- mela, bu't hangâ€"hang, like the (log you are l” “ Confouan it, Mrs. Vcrschoyledeawe 3'06,122 bushels of barley and 270,436â€" 556 of cats. Both grains were a little lighter in yield than in 1899, besides returning a smaller yield per” acre in measured bushels. Comparison of the wheat, maslin, the man alc-nc,” said Ronald, ratherlrye, barley, and oats production in _ f _ . annoyed at the way she was behavâ€" France for ten years shows that each hams: medlcme 00" Brocknlle’ ont' ing. ‘ ' .Vassalla walked to the door with tho. detective beside him, and faced round as he was {going out. ‘ ‘As sure as there’s a God in heav- en,” he said, proudly, “ 1 am linnOcen‘t, and that woman only brings this ac- cusation against me, to satisfy her absurd jealousy, I can prove my in- nocence, and she ”â€"â€"pointing to Mrs. Versch‘oyleâ€""holds the proof.” When the door closed, Foster turnâ€" ed to Mrs. Verschoyle. “ What does he mean i” asked the lawyer. ' of these crops is below the decennial average, as well as below the crop of 1899, though the deficit, as compar- ed'with the decennial average, is small in the, case of the more import; ant ceregds. The final general memorandum of Dr. Williams Pink Pills go directly to the root of the trouble and. cure to stay cured. Hence it is unwise to waste money in experiments with other medicines. These 'pills are sold by all dealersvor will be sent post paid at 59 cents a box or six boxes for $2.50 by addressm'g the Dr. Wil- â€"_‘_____ A SHOW]! CUT. TO GLORY. This amusing story from the chroni- cles of an English. ruraltow‘n illus- trates the danger in kindling ambi- tion in the rural breast. , An offiwr of a Yorkshire ryeomanry cane crop for the season of 18994909 regiment in an address to his troops shows that in both Northern and made a stirring allusion to the med- Southern India the season began well “13 Worn by some army Veterans in for this crop, and the area planted was larger than in 1898, being approxi- mately equal to the average. IFailure of rain, however, later, seriously inâ€" jured the crop. In the Punjab district One of the volunteers afterward went home in a very thoughtful frame of -mind, and the next morning he" came on parade with several medals on his breast. the ranks. “IdODLt know,” She said. “I page“ at least one-third of the crop was Sula the Officer; no! proof of his innocence, and Pm lost, and the crop of the northwest ready. to go into the witness box and swear he killed my» husband.” “ He says he is not guilty,” said Ron- aid. " He’ll say anything to save his neck, but the is guilty; I’ll see him hanged, 'till he is dead." There was something so repulsive in the vindictiveness of this woman, that both the young men were dis- gusted, and left the mom, followed by Mrs. Verschoyle, who was laughing to herself in a satisfied manner. "\Vhy' don’t you thank me W’she said, savagely, to Ronald ; “ I have pre- vented Carmela from marrying anâ€" other man, and secured your happiâ€" ness.” "I don’t care for happiness that is founded on the ruin of another man,” said Momteith, coldly. "Bah! you are a fool; ho is guil- ty." . ' ., ' “That,” said Foster quietly, " has yet to be proved.” . ‘ She flashed a look of anger at him then went out of the hotel door'and stepped into a hansum. "I will see you toâ€"morrow,” she called out, “ and then I can prove what I say is true.” The cab drove off leaving Foster. u. movie -‘ rm- ” 5 R , . “uh...- “‘x l provinces was estimated at only 62 per cent, but in Bengal and Madras Provinces from 83' to 87 per cent. of an average crop was reaiized. The area under rice in the 1899â€" 1900 season is estimated at approxiâ€" mately 52,000,000 acres,I somewhat smaller than that in .1898, but more than the average. The yield was esti- mated at somewhat over 23,345,000 tons, being, like the area, smaller than that of last year. This reduction is in Madras and Bengal Provinces. German governmnet advices from Chili report that {or the first six months of this year the weather has been favorable to the wheat newly sown for the; crop of 1900-01, and that fer the same period the Cnilian ex- ports of wheat were. very small, due to the-short .crop of 1899â€"1900. The Roumanian government reports give 3,928,841 acres of 'wheat in 1900, waiTh a production of 56,462,869 bushels. â€"â€"â€"â€".___.- AHEAD 0F fil‘lllfl'f. HUstlerâ€"Wh'at was that man talk- ing about? Livery Proprietorâ€"He saidhe mere- ly came in to ask if we were going i have any, automobile sleighs to - re out. I I didn’t know you had been in the regulars. No, I ain’t said the man. Well, how about the medals, my good fellow ’l They can’t be yours. Can’t they? the man promptly re- plied, Alye, but they be. My old coo won '01:). all at Otlcy cattle show’ NO CHINESE OFFICERS. The Chinese regiment of British in- fantry at Wei-Haiâ€"Wei consists of nine companies, none of which are offic- ered by Cclcstials. The chwgkong regi- ment, however, has native subadara and jemadars, the junior of the latter being young Muhammed Kusin Khan. A REWARD OF MERIT. I like to have my husband go hunt- ing. . Does he hit anything? I don’t think so; but, as I never, ask any questions about the game he brings home, he always buys me a. handsome present of some kind. l -. FOR SAFE-KEEPING. Mr. Fijjitâ€"JSay, that’s the rottenest tobacco I ever smoked! Mrs. Fijjitâ€"JO George, ryou’re smok- ing up my fancy silk! I put It in you-r tobacco ,jar for safe-keeping.