Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-08-13

one, Iasked myself, who, by chance or
intention, had been present at each place
at the time of the robbery? Any occA-
sional water, for example, or servant
of any kindp | could not find that there
had been. Yet, If III thief were not one
of the household, how was it that
stranger shoull in three scarate in.
stances fix on an establishment whore
the circumstances w5rc favorable to q
robbery of valuable proDerty? Ii two
cases there had been illness and Il haI'y
summoning OF doctors. That led TO an
other thought; was il possible that some
experienced thief or gang of thieves had
laid themselves ont to track the brough-
ans of fashionable West End physic ans
on the chance of find NJ hall doors left
open and property somewhat loosely
guarded?
had not thought of such thing seri-
ously before; but il seemed now to bean
idea worth following up. Once more |
resumed inquiries. Who was the doctor
summoned in the ease of the Dowager
Lady A.? | easily ascGrtaincd. 1t was
one of the best known men, at that
time, in London. He and his brougham
would be familiar to every thief who
frcquent1d West End thoroughfarcs. |
next inquired at Colonel C.'s. To my
satisfact on, learnt that the same doc
tor had attended in this case Here"
/ sad to myself, II begin to see day
light" Shortly afcrward | made "A
further discovery. The coachman who
drove the famous physician to Lady
A. S on the night of the accident, and to
Colonel C's on the night of the ball,
had only been in his employ a few
weeks; and on the date of the Earl OF
L. Is wedding, the man had driven the
carriage Of one Of the guests at the
breakfast.
The clew, l felt, was becoming strong,
The thief, grew convinced, was a con-
federatc of the grave-faced man in spot
less black who drove the fashionable
doctor from one house of sickness TO
another resolved to obtain an inter-
view with the doctor, and, after cx-
planning my suspicious, plan some mode
Of detecting so oOnsummate rascal.
Circumstances occurred to mako me re-
solve to carry out my purpose without
delay.
Ny Journey took me to one Of tho
somewhat sombcr-looking streets that
run down TO the Thames, from the Chel-
sea side, between Chelsea bridge and
Battcrsca bridge. The name Gideon
West, NJ. d., Physician and Surgeon,
inscribed on brass plate told me when
| had reached my destination. DR..
West, was informed, was still out, late
though II was; aud the time Of his COM
ing home was most uncertain. ] was
determined, however, not TO return with
out seeing him; and, after assuring the
tired-looking servant that should Ger.
tainly await DR.. Vests return, even il |
had TO spend the night on the doorstep,
| was shown into the consulting-room,
where wood-iire was still burning on
the hearth. Seating myself in an arm
chair with high screen behind me,
settled down to my vigil, however long
it might bo.
Ihad often noticed the house; for who
did not feel some interest In so famous O
medical man as Gideon Westp Why he
had chosen such house did not learn
until afterward; but ! knew it was an
old-faShioned, rambling sort of place,
with room built on here at one time
and there at another time. Windows
had been blocked up at one place, and
windows had been let in at another. In
fact, it was house that seemed to defy
n stranger to explain upon what rule, or
what want of rule, it had been so con-
structed.
Those who first heard of Gideon West
as one of the most famous physicians in
London, asked in astonishment how he
could live in such u ramshackle-looking
building. Perhaps they forgot that
even famous doctors were not born
famous. Gideon West, when he entered
ON his professional career, was any thing
but famous, and, he was as poor as he
well could be. Father and mother were
dead, brothers and sisters he had mono.
An almost forgotten god-mother had, to
his surprise, left him the old house ut
/ Chelsea. This was about the time he
received his diploma. Thereupon, Gid
con West married, for love, girl with
out a penny, settled himself in his new
possession, had the brass-plate affixed to
the door. and awaited the patients who
were TO prove his skill and make his
fortune. 1t was weary whiting; but
the young bride had unlimited trust in
her husband, and Gideon West never
for an instant lost faith in himself.
Slowly, very slowly, q small practice
grew upon. his hands; but the struggle
that only braccd Gideon West for the
battle of lifc proved too terrible for the
frail young wife. But there was no
complaining, no ropining, no word 10
tell of doubt, much less of despair, and
Gideon West battled on. He knew as
though it had already come, that he
should at last prevail. He had meas
ured his own strength, and felt that he
could trust it, But-and it was that but
alone which troubled him suppose lie
should have to wait years and years
suppo Q, rs those years went by, he
should see the color pale,on the face he
loved; the br' ghtncss fade from the eyes
he delighted to gaze into-supposc his
long years OF waiting were marked in
the lines on his w'ft's young face
suppose when the golden gates of for
tune flew open, he Should find it was
too late
| How long | sat dreaming in Dr.
Vests room. know not but It is Ger.
| tnin | must have fallcn nslnnn before
the cracking cmbors. When | awolsc,
| found myself in all but darkness. The
| gas had been lowered, and only n flick
ering glow from the dying fire re-
NAMED to cast drear and fantastic
shadows on the ceiling. Many hours
must have passed. 1 must have boen
forgotten when the servants retired to
rest, and DR.. West either had not re.
turned, or had not boon made aware ol
my presence. My position was em-
barrassing. To wake UP in the middle
of the night and 10 find myself in a
strange house, was new experience
| / gropedabout the room and felt for the
door by which | had entered. 1t was
locked. Bell of any sort l could find
none. | tried to raise my voice, but
the death-stillncss and darkness of the
room seemed to stiilc mo. | found thu
window, and looked out. 1t opened
high above courtyard closed IN by
walls. Again / tried the door. Then
remembered that it was q sort of pas
sagc-room; that thero was door
lnoIiuu frnnn II In ON anna uln,onE ho