The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-14
MORNING, JANUARY IA, 1870.

no living person un England, at any nte) can claim
10 have had such an intimate connection with the
twas trusted with the secret OF Colonel Ierncastle
plan for escaping assassination. received the
living man. drew his WIN. leaving the Moonstone
On the chance that tie jsvsi might prove . %
valuable acquisition 70 the hmily. And, lastly, !
eombated Mr.. Franklin Blake's scruples, and In
mond 70 Lady yerinder's house. II any one can
claim prcscriptive right OF Interest in tho Moon
stone and In every thing connected with u, think
10 q hardly TO bo denied that am the man.
Tho moment my mysterious client was shown In
felt an inner conviction that Twas In the presence
Of ono OF the three Indians probably OF The chief
He was carefully dressed In Europear costume.
and his grave and graceful politeness q manner
were enough to betray his Oriental origin TO any
Intelligent eyes that looked ut him., :,
pointed 10 Q chair, and begged 70 DO iniormea oi
The nature Of his business with me.
After FIRST apologiIing In an excellent sciecuon
OF English words-for the liberty which ne had
SsIs. Sa Sasa Of %SeR Of
gold. Removing this and second wrapping OF
some slkon fabric, he placed little box, or ca:ket
my table, most beautifully and richly iniaid In
% have come, COL % Sir, he aid ito ask you to lend mo
some money. And leave this as an assurance 70
you that my debt Will DO pad JACK.
:. pointed TO his card And you apply 70 me-,
rejoined, at Mr.. Luker's recommendation ..r
MAY % ask how il Is that Mr.. Luker himself did
not advance the money that you rcquire,'
,Mr. Luker informed me, Sir, that no had no
money 10 lend.'
-sAnd 40 he recommended you to come 10 mer
The Indian, in his turn, pointed to the card. IL
Briefly answered, and thoroughly TO the purpose!
II the iMoonstonc had been in my possession, this
Oriental gentleman would have murdered me, am
we'll aware, without moments hesitation. AZ the
same time, and barring that slight drawback, am
bound 10 testify that he was the perfect model OF
client. He might not have respected my life. But
ne did what mono OF my countrymen had ever done
In all my experience Of thcm-he respected my
'1I am sorry said, that you should have had
mistaken in sending you here. ] am trusted like
other men Of my profession, with money TO lend.
But never lend II TO strangers, and never lend II
on such security as you have Produced
done, 10 Induce mo 10 relax my own rules, tho In.
dian only made another bow, and wrapped mp his
box in its two coverings without word OF protest
lie roso- this admirable assassin rose to 80; the
moment / had answered him! r...
'will your cOndcscenslon toward q stranger, ex-
cuse my askingone question: he said before take
bowed on my side. Only one question at part
inc, The average in my experience was my.
. .fsupposing, Sir. II had been possible, (and Gus
tOmaryO Tor 10 lenu me tIle nOncl, Hc saut
what space Of time would II have been possible land
customary for me to pay II backp
According 10 the usual course pursued IN TINS
country. answered, you would have been entitled
20 pay the money back Qf you liked In ono years
time ifom the date at which II was first advanced to
yos.' N
and suddenly and softly walked out OF the room'
cat-like way, which little startled me, own. rs
soon as was composed enough TO think, ! arrived
at ono distinct conclusion In reference 10 the other
wise incomprchonsiblo visitor who had favored mo
Ills face, voice, and mannncr-while I was In his
company-were under such perfect control that they
set all scrutiny Mt defiance. but no had given mo
one chance oflooking under the smooth outos sur
face 81 him, for all that. lie has not shown the
slightest sign OF attempting to fix any thing that
had said TO him In his mind. until mentioned tho
time at which II customary 10 permit tho earll-
est repayment on the part Of the debtor, OF money
that had been advanced as q loan. When gave hm
The face. while / was speaking. for the first time.
Tho Inference drew nom this was-tiiat no had
special purpose in asking mo his last question, anu
Especial interest In hearing my answer 70 It. The
1900 carefully reflected on what had passed be-
tween Us, tho moro shrcwdly suspected tho pro-
duction Of the casket and tho application for the
loan, OF having been mere f0rmalites, designed 10
pave the way for tho parting inquiry addressed 70
had satisfied myself Of the correctness Of this CON-
cusion-and was trying 10 get on stop further and
penetrate the Indians motives noxt-when letter
was brought 10 me, which proved 70 be from no less
q person than Mr. Septimus Luker himself ilo
asked my pardon In terms OF sickening seryility,
and assured me that he could explain matters TO my
satisfaction, II would honor HIM by consentinS TO
personal interview,
i made another unprofessional sacrifice 10 nero
curiosity. I honOred him by making an appointment
ut my Office, for the next day. ..,
Mr.. Luker was, In every respect, such an Inferior
20 cringing and so prosy-that no Is quite unworthy
Of being reported, Mt any length, In these pages
Tho substance Of what he had TO tell me may DO
fairly stated rs follows;
dian, Mr.. Luker had been favored with call nom
that accomplished gentleman. In spite OF his Euro
pean disguise, Mr. Luker had insanity identified his
visitor with tho chief OF me three indani VINO had
and who had left him no alternative but 10 consult
magistrate. From this startling discovery hc had
rushed to the conclusion Naturally enough ! own
that he must certainly DO In the company or one OF
the three men, who had blindf0ldcd him, gagged
him, and robbed him Of his bankers receipt. The
result was that hc became quito paralyIed with
terror, and that ho firmly believed his last hour had
come.
On his side, the Indian preserved the character Of
apcrfect stranger lie produced The little casket
and made 1S tho snssso. shTS eG
getting rid OF him, Mr. Luker had Mt once declared
that ho had no money. Tho Indian had thsreupon
asked to be informed Of the best and safest person 70
apply TO for the loan he wanted. Mr.. Luker hal
answered that tho best and safest person, In such
cases was usually respectable solicitor Asked to
ono individual OF that character and pro-
fession, Mr.. Luker had mentioned motor the ono
simple reason that, In the extremity Of his terror,
mine was the FIRST name which occurred 10 him.
The psrspiraton pouring of mo like rain SIR
tho wrctched creature concluded. Il didn't know
what was talking about. And hope you II look
over Il, Mr.. Bruf, sir In consideration OF my having
been really and truly frightened cut Of my wits
l excused the fellow graciously enough. IL was
the readiest way OF releasing myself nom the sight
Of him Before he LEFT me, i detained him TO make
ono inquiry. Had the Indian said any thing notice.
able at the moment Of quitting Mr. Lukcr,s housei
Yes! Tho Indian had put precisely the same
question 10 Mr. Luker, at parting which no had put
10 me receiving Of course the Same answer as the
answer which had given 20 him.
What did II meani Mr.. Lukers explanation gave
me no assistance toward solving the problem. My
own unaided ingenuity consulted next, proved quite
unequal 10 grapple with the difficulty. ! had q
dinner engagement that evening, and went up
stairs, In no very genial franc of mind, little sus-
pecting that tho way TO my dressng.room, and the
way 10 discovery, meant this particular occasion,
one and tho same thing.