ernment--in short, that he
was a British spy, and has gone to join Le Caron, his friend and
companion and near neighbor both here and in St. Louis. A startling
communication in cipher has been received from the other side, and
the information comes from a source whose accuracy cannot be
doubted. It is to the effect that agents of the English Government
have been arranging to place another American informer on the stand
in the Parnell inquiry. It seems that the informer has offered to
testify for a stated sum, which is said to be $100,000, and that
the Government is only awaiting the report of its experts, who are
inspecting his documentary proof before accepting his proposition.
That is the way the matter stands now. I have been asked to find
out who this new informer is. I have tried my best to do so, but I
can't say I have been entirely successful. Dr. Cronin's mysterious
disappearance has left a deep suspicion on my mind. I never liked
that fellow, anyway, for I always considered him a contemptible
rascal. I don't believe, either, that he has been assassinated,
because I don't know of any good reason for killing him. I wouldn't
be surprised if he turned up in London shortly. It wouldn't be at
all strange. He was Le Caron's friend, as nearly as I can ascertain
from Chicagoans, who knew them both, and what would be more natural
than for him to cross the Atlantic to pay the druggist a friendly
visit?"

On the heels of this came an alleged dispatch from London:

"Le Caron, the man who acted as a spy for the British Government on the
movements of the Irish leaders in America, and who testified for the
_Times_ before the Parnell Commission, declares that he and Dr. Cronin
were the closest friends. Le Caron believes that Dr. Cronin has been
killed, and that the friendship of the murdered man may account for his
removal."

Naturally enough, these diabolical insinuations had their full effect on
the public mind. The search for the body was practically abandoned by
the police, and the theory that the physician had left the town of his
own free will was generally accepted by the public.

Even some of those who had been closely associated with him were
inclined to the same view, except that they ascribed his possible trip
to London to different purposes to those advanced by his enemies.

"I believe Dr. Cronin is in