The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-05-03
The Piccadi||y Puzzle.
THE STORY OF A TERRIBLE EPISODE
In THE LIFE OF An ENGLISH
NOBLEMiN.
BY F. w. HUME
CHAPTER IN.
The MISSING LINK,

Miss Penfold; so, going to his patron s
| office, he repeated 1t in due course TO Dow
ker. The result was that the detective
! became much exercised ID his mind over
| the whole affair He could not under
| stand Desmon Is refusal to lie | the name
| of the woman he saw on the night of the
| murder. True Desmond denied it was
| Lena Sarschine, but then his denial went
| for nothing, as he would do so to save
| himself from suspicion. Mrs. Pow said
| Lena Sarschine had been there between
| II and Y, and it was unlikely she would
be wrong, seeing how we'll acquainted she
was with the appearance Of the dead
woman. But then, nd ing from the drift
of Desmond's remarks, his refusal TO
| speak was dictated by desire TO screen
| the honor of a woman.
You see this?" asked Dowker, show
| ing Flip the dagger lie had distracted
from Cleop IRA Villa.
| Flip intimated by a vigorous nod of
his head that he did.
I've got an idea," explained Dowker,
| smoothly, that a dagger very similar to
| this is to he found in the possession of
| Mr.. Myles Desmond, the gentleman you
saw to-day, so | want you by some means
| to get into his rooms and find out if it S
| there.
Flip screwed his face into look of
| profound thought and then smiled in a
satisfied manner.
I'll do it, guy nor he said, saga
ciously
How" asked Dowker, curious to learn
how this Juvenile detective proposed to
| deal with the problem
"I'll doss on his doorstep tonight"
said Flip, -and when he comes 'ome do Il
perish '-you knows in an explana-
tory tone-"say I'm dyin for yictuals-
ell take me inside, and when | gifts there
You leave me alone, guv nor, I'm fly"
Well. You can manage it as you
please" id Dowker But don't you
prick yourself with it, as it's poisoned
| and Flip, if You bring me that dagger
without him knowing about it, Ill give
you half a SOW.
Done, guvnor." said Flip, joyfully.
and. bidding aiieu to his patron, went
of to get something to eat and prepare
his plan of action.
1t was now about six clock and very
dark, the sky being overcast with clouds.
Soon 1t began to rain steadily and the
streets became sloppy and dlsm II. Flip
drew his rags round him. shivered lit
tie i'll a professional manner, and then
going Oft to cook shop he pitronized
in Drury lane, had n lunch of bread
and steaming cup of coffee for small
sum.
Being thus prepared for his work Flip
wiped his mouth and, sailving forth into
the dirty lane, took his way up to Blooms
bury, combining business with pleasure
by begging on the road.
1urnin 2 into Primrose Crescent he soon
found the house he wanted and, curling
himself on the doorstep, waited patiently
for chance 10 deliver Myles into his de-
signing hands.
The rain continued to pour down stead
lily, ana as 1t WIS now dark Flip could see
the windows all along the street being
lighted up. The gas-lamps also shone
brightly through the rain, and were re-
Elected III dull, blurred splashes on the
paSemenis. Occasionally a gentleman
would hurry past with his umbrella up,
and ragged tramp would SLOUGH along
singing dismal ditty 1t was dreary
waiting, but Flip was used 10 such times,
and sat quite tententel. thinking how
he could lay out his prom seI half SOW
erelgn to the best adyantrge, till his
quick ear caught the sou1d OF footsteps
inside.
This was his cue, go he Immediately
lay down on the VT stones and COM
| menced to moan disma!ly. Myles opened
the door and would have stumbled over
him, for ne was right in front OF the en-
II nee after the fashion of the clown in
the pantomime, only he caught sight Of
him IN time
"Hullo, sail Myles, GROSSLY, what the
deuce IS the natter"
Flip made no reply to this but gronned
with renewed vigor, upon which Des-
mond, who WIS II kiud-hearte man,
bent down and touched the ragged little
figure.
Are YOU ILL.," he asked, gently
oh, Lor-awful- my insides, groaned
Flip, pressing his dirty hands on hs
stoma Ii. Amt had a bit for days"
Ny les was doubtful as to the genuine
ness of this ease, as he knew how decep-
tive tramps are, but as the poor lad did
seem n la1u and 1t was raining heavily
lie determined to give him the benefit of
the doubt.
-caa you rise2" he asked, sharply. If
so. get up aud come lnSi Ie I'll give YOU
something to do you good.
With many groans ana aSseverations Of
extreme pam FIip stru ,glea to his feet.
aud aided by Myles Wen inside un tie
stairs ald was ut last safely deposited on
| the hearthrug in front OF the fire, where
he lay and groaned with great dramatic
effect.
III give YOU some hot port vine. said
Myles, gong 10 the sld.hoard and taking
ont a glass and bottle, SO Ill have to
go downstairs and set some hot water
You wait here.
Flip groaned again and 9yrated on the
floor like Young eel; but when the door
had closed behind his bene,act he
sprang 10 his feet aud took a survey of
the room
1t was large and lofty apartment,
with pair Of folding doors on one side,
which being half open showed Flip that
| the other room was a bedroom.
There WAS sideboard In the sitting
room, aud near this a writing table
toward which Flip darted and commenced
10 turn over the papers rapidly with the
idea OF finding the dagger hidden under
meath.
Nothing. however, rewarded his efforts,
and though he looked into the siieboard,
examined the bookcase and lifted up the
covers of the chairs. he found 10 sign of
the weapo
Must be in tie bedroom, thought Flip.
scratching his head IN perplexity and
wondering how he could get in. when
suddenly II occurred TO him that he had
not examined he mantel-piece.
There Vas not q moment 10 be lost, rs
| AiyIes might return at any moment so in
a second Flip scrambled up on chair.
and was eagerly looking among the orna-
ments on the mantel- piece.
There was mirror framed in furnished
gold. and in front of this a tawdr7 French
clock under q glass shade, two Dresden
china figures slmpering at one another
| AMI two tall green vases at each end
Flip saw nothing Of what he wanted till
he peered into one OF these, vases, where
he saw something looking like steel. and
drew forth a slender shining blade with
no h4nile.
Wonder il this Is what the gnv nor
wants: he said TO himself. turning IL
over ngerly; talnt get no 'andle.