The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-04-07
Il scarcely expected you
| grunted something In answer

Il scarcely expected you
grunted something in answer.
'But l might have known something
was up, if I'd only paid attention to my
flute. 1t and | are not in harmony to-
night. 1t doesn't like the secrets I've been
blowing into it. 1t has heard lot of
queer things in its time, but it's an inno-
centminded flute for all that, and I'm
afraid that what I've told it tonight is a
point beyond what its prepared to go
IL take it it knows id deal too
much, " growled l.
He looked at me sharply for an instant,
rose, whistled bar or two of 'Like Her
init Poor, reached down a couple of clay
pipes from the shelf, filled one for himself,
and gravely handed the other with the to-
bacco to me.
Beyond what it is prepared to go" he
echoed quietly, sinking back in his chair
and putting at the pipe. "It's nice point
that we have been discussing together, my
flute and |, and won't say but that I've
got the worst of it. By the way, what do
you mean to do now that you have fresh
start?"
Now | had not tasted tobacco for over
| four months, and its effect now upon nv
wits was surprising It seemed toaoil my
thoughts till they worked without hitch,
and saw my plan of action marked out
quite plainly before me.
DO you want to know the first step of
alp" l asked.
ITO be sure; the first step at any rate
determines the direction"
"Well, then, said very steadily, and
staring into his face, "the first step of all
is that | am going to kill you"
I'm, said he after a bit, and declare
that not so much as an eyelash of the man
shook, II thought as much. 1 guessed
that when you came into the ROOM And
what next?"
''Time enough to think of what next, ;"
| answered; for though l was set upon
blowing his brains out, longed for him to
blaze out into passion and warm up my
blood for the job.
"Pardon me, he said as cooly as might
be, that would be the very worst time to
think of it, For just consider in the first
place you will already be committed to
your way of life; aud secondly, if l know
anything about you, you would be far too
furried for any thought worth the name"
There was twinkle of frosty humor in
his eye as he said this, and in the silence
which followed l could hear him chuckling
to himself and tasting the words over again
as though they were good wine sat
fipgering my pistol and waiting for him to
speak again. When he did so it was with
another dry chuckle and long puff of
tobacco smoke.
"As you say know deal too much
Shall | tell you how much?"
"Yes, you may if you'll be quick about
it
very well, then, WILL Do you mind
passing the bottle? Thank you. | prob
ably know not only too much, but deal
more than you guess. First let us take
the case for the Crown. The jeweller is
travelling by coach at night over the moors.
He has one position only, Roger Tails by
name, and by character shady. The jew
eller has money Che was niggardly fool
to take only one postilliOn), and carries
diamond Of great or rather enormous and
notable value (he was a bigger fool to take
this) In the dark morning two horses
came galloping back, frightened and stream
ing with sweat. A search party goes out,
finds the coach upset by the Four Holed
Cross, the jeweller lying beside it with q
couple of pistol-bullets in him, and the
money, the diamond, and Roger Tallis-
nowhere. So much for the murdered man.
Two or three days after, you, Gabriel Foot,
by character also shady, and known to be
friend of Roger Tails, are whispered to
have suspicious amount of money about
you, also bloodstains on your coat. 1t
further leaks out that you were travelling
on the moors afoot on the night in ques-
ton, and that your pistols are soiled with
powder. Case for the Crown closes. Have
| stated it correctly?"
nodded He took sip or two at his
wine, laid down his pipe as if the tobacco
spoiled the taste of it, took another sip,
and continued:
"Case for the defence. That Roger
Tails has decamped, that no diamond has
been found on you, Cor anywhere,) and
lastly that the bullets in the jewellers
body do not fit your pistols, but came from
larger pair Not very much of case,
perhaps, but this last is strong point"
"Well?" | asked, as he paused.
'Now, then, for the facts Of the case.
Would you oblige me by casting look
over there in the corner?'
81 see nothing but a pickaxe and
shovel"
"Ha, ha very good; nothing buta pick
axe and shovel. Well, to resume. Facts
of the case. Roger Tails murders the
jeweller, and you murder Roger Tails; af-
ter that, as you say, nothing but pickaxe
and shovel /"
And with this, as am a living sinner,
the rosy-faced old boy took up his flute and
blew stave or two of 'Come, Lasses and
Lads r.
.aDid you dig him up?" 1 muttered
hoarsely; and although deathly cold could
feel drop of sweat trickliDg down my
forehead and into my eye.
"What, before the trial? My good, sir,
YOU have fair, very fair, aptitude for
crime; but believe me, you have much to
learn both of legal etiquette and of
lawyers conscience" And for the first
time since / came in saw something like
indignation on that ruddy face.
''Now," he continued, 81 either know
too much or not enough. Obviously |
know enough for you to wish, and perhaps