Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-04
{" Well, what nexssn we all cried in

and ] thought he would die without any |
explanation, but he came to at last
We all gave sigh Of relief
How did you get into these
clothesf' ] asked, forgetting my dag
nosis in my astonishment.
How did get here?" he asked
by way of reply, and even then profess
sional instinct was too strong for him.
De coughed a cough that could not be
beaten between here and San Fran
CISCO"
"Then that cough-mixture failed?"
broke in the curate.
There was roar Of laughter.
ut did, I'm bound to confess.
There was no apprecisble improve
ment," admitted the Doctor, with
great candor, though there was
twinkle in the corner Of his eye.
Again the Doctor continued his story.
"'Am | going to dies' suddenly ask
ed the sweeper.
60 We shall see, said soothingly.
SO You will, you mean he replied,
looking straight into my face. And
from that moment the mask was of.
He dropped the jargon of the street
and spoke as | had heard him speak at
Guarini's.
"' fear that is true correction |
replied. Is there anything ! can do
for you?'
"' Nothing he said sadly. yet
stay; do you know Barker's Paradise?'
A slight flush took the place Of the sick
ly psllor of his face.
mo was my reply.
"Do you know Seven Dials?'
go In way do, said wondering
ly.
"' Ask for Wexford street, then for
Thompson's court, then for Barker's
Paradise; then go on to the top attic
door on the left. That is my room;
you will find seven shillings and three
pence halfpenny in my box. The key
Of the room is in the breast-pocket of
my coat. Give five shillings and my
gold toothpick to John, the waiter at
Guaini's restaurant, in Gale street.
very assiduous and respectful was
John-and the change to Fritz. al
ways give them trihe at Christmas
90 Is that ALP asked in astonish-
nent, taking note at the same time that
it settled the Generals identity.
"'That is all he said, and he laid his
half-raised head down.
49, But what about the lady and the
little girl? p eagerly inquired.
at was too late. lie never spoke
again, and in ten minutes he was dead"
"0f course you went TO Barker's
Paradise?" said the curate.
Il did. | nearly broke my neck in
getting up the rickety staircase. |
opened the window. | never saw such
den in all my life. A bed fairly
clean, but almost no other furniture in
the room. On the bed lay complete
suit of clothes, military frock-coat,
stock, clean collar, clean shirt, with
studs in wristbands, and pair Of WELL
polished boots at the foot. In the
box-an old tin box-was another suit
more threadbare than the other, and
that was distinctly shiny, and at the
bottom lay a gold toothpick, seven
shillings and threepence halfpenny-all
in copper save two threepenny pieces.
One thing more | noticed-a photo
graph-but nothing else.
Invent straight to Guarini's. John
heart quite melted at the sight Of the
five shillings, and he fairly dropped a
tear as ] handed the gold toothpick into
his possession. | mention the fact be-
cause it is new to my experience.
have occasionally seen waiter drop
his napkin; | have seen waiter DROP
tureen, and the manager drop on him
Immediately afterward have often
seen a waiter who dropped his H's,
but never saw waiter who dropped
tear before"
"He would lose his place. He waits
till be gets home, :" said the curate com
passionately.
81 saw him decently buried" con
tinued the Doctor. "and now, gentle
men, that's all. That's the bog, ant
I've been landed in it ever since. IL
stop up the last avenue Of doubt,
NAV add that the General has neye
been seen at Guarini's from that day Il
this. The General is dead, and saw
him de-
Every unsatisfactory" said tho sal
low-visaged guest at last.
Every" said the vicar in his de
cided voice.
"what about the photograph?
asked one.
81 have it in my pocket-bOok, an
that is in my coat upstairs"
"Was it his own likeness ?" ques
toned Sir Robert.
mo; a lady's-a young lady's-
and as fair face as you could wish
see in days journey"
Fetch it." said the vicar decisiyely
The Doctor left the room. and in ar
other minute returned. We all II
stinctively rose and crowded round.
The sallow-visaged man took it an
: held it to the light. "Don't know it,
he said in dissatisfied voice.
We all had a turn at it. 1t was
strangely pretty face, sweet, lnnocer
expression, and the eyes seemed to star
, at us pleadingly.
D LET me see it," said Sir Rober
putting on his spectacles. lie surveye
l it yery deliberately. He put it imm'
= diately below the:gas-light. 81 kno
, that face" he broke out impetuously
, "but it's long time ago, and it was
t India. Yes, it's Clara. | could swe'
e to it anywhere. Strange, most strange,
he added solemnly.
"You know it!" asked the Doctor
eagerly.
G Most certainly. But how on cart
e did it get into this mans possession ?
t He still handled the photograph
n What's this?" he asked quickly.
There was some writing on Il
:, back.
e ".From G. NJ. to Claud r. That
e what it says" said the Doctor. "B
}. how can initials and baptismal nan
: help uss"
k Extraordinary" said Sir Rober
musinclv. not noticing the Doctor