CHAPTER LI INSIDE A LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 390, 3 August 1889, Page 6

CHAPTER LI INSIDE A LUNATIC ASYLUM.

x pursuance of his determination to get in the asylum if he h.iri to break the gates, Wat picked up a large stone from the roadsido and began pounding on the gates so vigorously that the man in chargo of the lodge evidently came to the conclusion that he had bettor have at least a word more to say to this man who would get in. He threw up his window, and cried out : ' Stop That, or I'll shoot you. : ' Better talk first,' answered Wat, calmly. ' I have an order from your magistrate to see one of the patients heie, and &cc him I am eoing to-night.' ' Wait till I have spoken to Dr. Martin." 'Go ahead ; only don't keep me waiting too long, or I'll begin at tho gates again.' Presently another voice was heard at tho •window : ' Now, then, what does all this mean ?' *It means that I have a magisterial order to see one of your patients to night ?' ' What patient?' 'Ivan Horwitz.' ' No such person here. ' ' He is a young man with bl je eyes and fair skin, tall, and powerfully built.' 'Not here.' 'He iss here, you old fool ! I know he is here, and I warn you that if you don't open your gates and Ist me talk with him I will return with a squad of gendarmes and ioice ycur old nest.' ' I tell you,' repeated the man, much less firmly, ' that he is not here." ' And I tell you he is here. You old idiot, do you suppose I would come all ohe way out here only on the chance that he might be here ? I know he is here. And I also know that if you don't open to me I will have every penalty of the low exercisod on you.' ' You are very violent. When was he brought here ?' 'Two nights ago.' * Who brought him ?' ' None of your business. It is for me to ask questions, not you. Are you going to open this gate ?' ' If anybody is here who oughfc not to be here, it is not my fault.' ' Who said anything about it being your 3 or anybody's fault ? Open the door.' The man evidently thought he had delayed long enough, for in a moment Wat could hear him hushing the dogs, and then he began to undo the fastenings of the doors. ' Let me see your authority for this extraordinary visit,' was his first word to Wat on opening the gates. Wat handed him the order from the magistrate. ' It is unusual, but I suppose I must sub mit.' •If you bad been a wise man you would have submitted long ago. Show me to Monsieur Horwibz at once.' 'I am not sure that any such person is here, but I will let you pee the latest patients, and you may sue if the person you inquiie tor is here.' 1 You needn't waste your time or mine by any such nonsense. Show me the man I mean if 3'ou know when you are well off.' ' You are so decided, and it is so late, that Derhaps I am not as clear as I might be. A young man, you said, tall, and — oh, I think I know tbe one you mean. A \ery quiet, well disposed patient. Yes, yes. His would be a very quick cure.' * Yes I think it would be. In fact, I think it will be. Indeed, 1 am not sure he is not well even now.' 4lt may be as you say, ' agreed the man ; ' we do make some quick cuies here.' ' Just so. Now, then, Monsieur Horwitz. if yon please.' Doctor Martin, seeing he could not put off the evil moment any longer, yielded as gracefully as he could, and asked Wat to step into the pailour while he went to get the patient. ' I'll go with you,' said Wat. 'We don't allow visitors in tho wards except at certain times.' ' We'll consider this a certain time then. For, as sure as you live, I am going to follow you. Now no more nonsense, if you value your liberty.' ' How violent you are,' expostulated the doctor. ' You'll find me a great deal worse it you don't huiry.' Evidently the doctor took him at his word, for with a sigh he led the way to a wing of tbe house and there unlocked an iron door. He had taken up a lamp as he went along, and this threw a. light into the room disclosed by the opening of the door. * Who is that :' demanded a voice, which Wat joyfully recognised as Ivan's. 'It is I, Wat Denton,' he answered in English. 'Thank Cod ! Bub I knew you would come,' was the fervent exclamation from Ivan as he sprang from his bed. ' 'Dress yourself a< quickly ns possible — or, no. do nob until 1 have had a talk with you. Doctor, leave us alone for a while.' The doctor uneasily retired, wondeiing what the man who ordered so brusquely would do with him lor his part in the affair, Wat, after assuring himself that Ivan had not sutleredany bodily injury, proceeded to tell him as rapidly as possible what had taken place. 'Veia is safe, then ?' was Ivan's first cry. 'Perfectly safe.' ' Then let me get out of this place as quickly as possible. 1 ' Pardon me, but I -want you to stay one night longer.' , But why?' ' Because 1 am not ready to let Sofia know that her plans have gone awry.' 4 But what good will it do for me to stay in this vile place ?' 1 She will come here to-morrow to let you out.' •The wretched creature !' ' Don't say that to her when you see her.' ' Why not ? Must I keep up the dreadful farce any longer ?' 'For to-morrow only. Pretend to be very grateful to her for saving you, and keep it up for a short time, and I promise you not to ask anything like it of you again.' ' Well, I will,' sighed Ivan. * Doctor, come here !' called out Wat. The doctor came, and Wat addressed him in severe tones : 'I could have you pub in prison for ten years for thi.«, as you know very well. Now, do'n'b interrupt me. I was going to e»y that if you will lend yourself to a little

plan of mine to catch the principal culprib, I will agreo to loft you off.' ' I assure you ' * Don't waste your breath assuring me anything. Will you do as 1 bid you, or not? You may take your choice.' * I shall be glad to do anything for you, but ' ' Nevor mind the •' but. " This gentleman will romain horo until a lady cornea hero tomorrow to have him set at liberty.' * .But if you say he is not insane, he is at liberty now.' I You old hypocrite ! But I see that you are quite equal to playing your part creditably.' * Thank you. I will do my best.' ' You are to pretend that the gentleman has seen nobody, and that ho hay been almost frantic for his liberty. Do you understand ?' * Yes, monsieur.' ' Very well, then ; see that you do not play mo talsc, for you will iind mo an u^ly customer it you do.' I 1 will do my best. ' ' Good-bye, Ivan, and keep up your spirit?, for you will be united to Veia tomorrow without fail.'