Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-14

turning we Will say. Il Knew ne Woh""
be very long over it, 20 | just slipped
out of my room and waited outside bis
door until he came out. He started q
bit when be saw me and stepped back
wards into his room, and n nasty look
came over his face as followed him IN
and closed the door behind us.
"What the something very, very
wrohg-said he, edo you want here,
you grinnIng idiot of Frenchman 2"
"You need not hide that pretty little
toy you have in your hand in Mlss hes
ba's room," said /. dropping my foreign
lingo, "for it is yours, and you may as
we'll keep it, Mr.. Mark Scarford."
A gray sort of tint spread over his
face.
"Who are your" stammered he.
Z" am Matthew Wenlock, private do
tective," replied /. 81 was in court
when. you had two years for bigamy, and
/ can put my hand on your legal vile In
twenty-four hours"
He looked downright wicked for mo-
ment, and then burst into laugh.
"WeIl, Mr.. Private Detective" said
be. "there is no crime in q man living
apart from bis wife, and as for the other
little luxury, | have paid for it, and the
law has no hold over me, so just clear
out or III wiring your neck"
"No," answered i, slowly. "the law
has no hold OF you for an offence Tor
which yon have paid the penalty, but 1t
can touch you for attempted murder,
aud as L spoke / caught his right wrist
and twisted it round until with cry OF
pain he dropped something shining,
which fell with a clash upon the ground.
We both stopped for it, but l was the
quicker OF the two and managed TO Sc
cure it. Really, Mark Scarford was a
clever workman, and bad he stuck to an
honest line OF life might have earned a
very handsome income. What held IN
my hand was a miniature mincer, ex-
duisitely mado, to the blade OF which a
few particles OF horse-hair were still adj
herring. "Yes, Mark Scarford," con
tinued I, attempted murder can be
dealt with by the law. With this pretty
little instrument, tho manufacture of
which does you great credit. you have
been cutting up horse-hair into the finest
PARTICLES and dropping them into the
old mans beef-tea. Poor old chap, ]
don't wonder that he has been troubled
with n nasty cough. After doing the
work, you had the meanness to hide the
mncer in that poor young lady's room,
50 that il anything was discovered she
might swing, and 80 save your cowardly
carcass. For the sake of her and her
uncle ! shan't give you in charge; but
clear out OF this, or 10y the Lord Harry
III have in the first constable that
passes.
You never cav such down-trodden
cur as he looked, but he made no fight.
81 may pack my things, L suppose, "
he aske |.
81 won't give you minute" re-
turned Ls"They will pay your rent for
know you owe three weeks.
"Well, suppose | may take my bat, "
said he.
"Yes, you can take that" returned l.,
after moments consideration, which
seemed to aggravate him intensely.
He slouched out Of the room and | fol-
lowed him to the street door. "The
Lord have mercy on your SOUL" NUT
tered he, "if I catch you in quiet
place some dark night"
Better keep clear of me altogether, "
retorted /, "and remember, if sec you
within two miles of these diggings I'll
give you in charge Ia, ia. I'll give
Miss Hesba the address of your wife"
And 50 l did. The girl got quito
cured of her infatuation for the hand
some scoundrel and is now the prettiest
little doctors wife you would wish to
set eyes on. As for the old gent / told
him 1t was all fancy, aud as he got bet
ter rapidly he believed me. and behaved
like trump In monoy-rnatters.
A funny story, isn't it t.? But for oil
that, when feel bit seedy and my
good old mother says "haye nice cup
of beef-tea." l say, mo, thank you,
mother dear" for really, foolish as 1t
may seem, can't stomach it at all.