The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-08-23

| we shall meet again. There Is q singular at
traction in you, Gaskcll, for which cannot
account You promise me honorablyr
Eyes, honoraby."
Gas gentlemanT
| made pitiful motion with my hands;
could not help it. There was so much true
| sincerity and feeling In his voice that 1t
| touched my heart l could not, could not
restrain the little sob OF thankfulness which
burst from me- Was it possible that 1, q
murderer, q thief, could still win the re-
spect of menu turned from him, ashamed
that he should witness my agitation, and
partly afraid that it might betray me.
"As gentleman2' he repeated.
"If you will have it so."l / said. "as gen.
tleman."
II hold you to It," he said.
Then he took his Sketch-book from his
pocket, and, detachiug a leaf, handed it to
me. / stared at the drawing In dumb amaze
mont.
1t represented bedroom, the bedroom he
and had occupied on the preceding night.
On the table was lighted candle. and near
| it stood a man, apparently just risen from
his bed In his right hand were two articles,
upon which he was gazing with On expression
OF unutterable woe and despair upon his face.
| The man was myself. The articles was
gazing on were the ring ard the cord.
"It is yourself you seo," said Stanmore
II see," muttered
"Do you remember2" he asked.
"No."
"It occurred last night, at three o'clock by
| IL. 80
wife, amused at the surprise l had In store
| for her. A movement from the part of the
room Ia which you slept attracted my atten-
ton. You rose from your bed, struck a
match and lit the candle. l called. and asked
| you whether you were unwell; you did not
answer. You searched your pockets, and
produced therefrom q diamond ring and u
piece of string. You approached the candle,
and looked down upon them, with Just that
expression upon your faoe have caught SO
faithfully. / called to you again, and again
| you did not answer. Then / rose, got my
sketch. book, and made the drawing. 1t
struck me as good subject for picture. 1t
Is seldom an artist has the chance Of catching
such an expression as that. When the sketch
was finished. came quite close to you and
looked at the ring and the piece OF string. 1t
was a common strong piece OF cord, but the
ring startled me, the diamond IN it being Of
such extraordinary briiancy. tits strange
thinks l. that Friend Gaskell works as ahop-
| picker and lives on bread and water'-I know
that, you see-'when he owns ring which he
could sell or pledge for good many pounds
You were fast asleep, Gaskell, and was more
than ever convinced that you are the hero Of
some strange story. For at least quarter
| of an hour you stood In the attitude In which
you are depicted then you put out the candle &
In the dark you replaced the articles In your
pocket, and heard you creep into bed. That
is ALL"
1t was sufficient. Was It fated that myself
should be compelled by inexorable justice to
supply evidence Of my guilt2 Not for my life
did care but the honor and good nameof my
wife and daughter were In my keeping, and
those must protect so long as it lay in my
power
"Stanmore," said, "release me from my
promise. 1 must 30 away at once-at once.'
"You are afraid OF me-"
"lam. Better for me mover to speak to
| mortal man again."
"Look again at the sketch. Gasket. Ex-
anime it we'll"
obeyed him, but saw nothing in It that
had not seen before.
II am skilled in the nuances Of expression
| he continued. Frivolous person as l am,
claim to be subtle in my art There is de-
spair In the face OF this drawing, but, Cas-
kell, 1t is not the despair OF guilt it is the de-
| spair of innocence. decline to release you
from your promise. You remain with me at
least till tomorrow night. What do you
want2'
This question was addressed TO waiter,
who had entered the room without knocking
"a gentleman wishes to see you immedi-
ately, sir"
"Let him come in."
The waiter, departing, returned, ushering
In man, respectfully dressed. The blood
rushed to my head, and my heart beat vio-
lently; for recognized in him the detective
who, with two other officers. had come to my
house upon the morning of the murder of
Mr.. Wilmot. For moment thought that
| q trap had been set for me by Stanmore, and
that. through him. justice had overtaken me.
that was In error Evidently the detective
vas stranger TO him.
"My name is Stanmore," he said. "What
Is your business with meI"
81 am detective officer" replied the man.
He had looked at me when he entered. and
had turned away, apparently not recognizing
me-mY appearance was so changed.
81 do not know you. said Stanmore. "You
are not the detective 1 employed"
"No. but / am working with him in this
affair. Your wife has arrived, and is now
safely lodged at the Bull and Mouth. My
partner is watching her and the man with
her. She cannot escape"
"But why should she want to escape" in.
quired Stanmore, who. saw, was somewhat
puzzled.
"That," said the detective. sis what have
come to explain"
'Shan leave you. S6Inmorep I asked.
| 'No, sir; you had best remain"
1t was not Stanmore who answered me,
but the detective. When l spoke he had
turned towards mo again. and his sharp eyes
took in every detail OF my appearance.
"You had best remain, sir, he repeated.
''What have to say may be of interest to
YOU" He enow addressed Stanmore. 81 have
a story to tell which it will interest you to
hear"
"Let US hear it, then, by all MEANS" said
Stanmore. "If it is q long story, take o
Seat"