The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-03


II | were n detective | should 90 about
looking at thumbs. in most instances the
victim leaves scratches or cuts on the
hands of the assassin which would further
help 10 identify him in case of suspicion"
From that time on / instinctively
glanced at the hands OF every native with
whom came in contact, but without the
slightest hope Of making any discovery OF
value. Five weeks after the murder OF
the clerk the stranger was heard from
again. This time his victim was a SER
geant of infantry. and he met his death on
the highway between the town and the
camp. 1t was about o'clock in the even
ing when he started for camp, and it was
known that he was considerably under the
influence of liquor. He was almost a giant
in size and strength, and it was reasonable
to conclude that he had made something
Of struggle, even though half drunk
and taken undwares. Indeed, when the
surgeon came to look him over blood was
found in his finger nails to prove that he
had lacerated the hands Of his murderer.
This was point to go on, but was not
even considered by the authorities. They
followed the course previously pursued and
made several hundred arrests.
On the third day after the sergeant's
death had bit OF chain work to do on
piece Of land two miles east of the town,
and my helper was n native who had
served in the department for year. He
was middle aged man, very slender, and
his weight was not above 100 pounds. He
L, 4 Il tnf0 af fhn pinga nf
the war, and it was said of him that he
came from the north and had been faith
full to the English during the struggle.
When not acting as helper in the field he
had the care of some horses belonging to
the department. The Only name that he
was known 10y was Peter When l sent
him word that wanted him he returned
q reply that he was Ill, but half an hour
later he put in an appearance and eX-
planned that he was feeling better. We
had reached the field and had fairly begun
work when my attention was attracted TO
his hands. The backs Of both were
scratched and lacerated, though the
wounds were half healed.
at was the monkey at the stables who
did it, sahib," he explained as he held up
his hands for inspection; II was teasing
him and he got revenge. will sell him If
can find n buyer"
knew he had monkey at the stables,
and his explanation was perfectly satisfac-
;ory. The matter was forgotten in mo-
nent, and it would never have occurred TO
ne again but for what followed. 1t was a
,corching hot day. and after an hours
work we sought the shade to rest AS l
was lighting my pipe for smoke Peter
observed that he was very thirsty ana
would visit spring he knew OF about
quarter of a mile away. The field on
which we were working had once been
cleared, but was now pretty well grown
over with bushes and small trees. He dis
appeared at my back, and l gave him no
hirther thought for many minutes. had
,ut my book and was making some Held
notes when all Of a sudden it struck me
that Peter had a peculiar look as he ex-
planned how dc had received the wounds
on his hands. remembered that his face
hardened and that there was cruel glitter
In his eyes. Things Of this sort never
strike one at the moment, but are vivid
when recalled. When l remembered his
looks wondered chat he had not killed
the monkey for attacking him, and re-
fiected that the man must have hot tenn
per when aro.sed. | do not suppose de-
voted over five minutes to this train OK
thought. As Tina passed by forgot my
surroundings while busy with the pencil
Peter had been gone about thirty min
utes. as | afterward figured up, when |
Il, Iod Az fha throat /
was leaning back against a tree hardly
larger than mans arm, and was reclln-
ing to the left. Ny eyes caught no glimpse
of ANYTHING, nor had my ears detected tho
slightest sound to put me on my guard.
The first sensation was exactly like that
of falling. | remember a roaring in my
ears and fireworks dancing before my
eyes. and | Was perfectly conscious that
nv throat was in the clutch Of human fin
gers. What saved me was the tree and the
position in which sat. did not realize
that | struggled to break the clutch, but l
did put forth mighty effort. My right
shoulder and arm were lever against
the strangers right wrist, and as heaved
| broke his clutch and leaped to my feet.
II was Peter, as you have suspected. He
had only gone a few rods away and then
turned and crept back on ne like ser
pent. His route was through bushes and
vines, but when | came TO 90 over it
could net find that he had broken a twig.
NY springing up threw him down, but he
was on his feet like a cat, and with a cry
like that Of an enraged beast he sprang for
my throat again. His eyes were fairly
blazing, his face distorted with passion.
and realized in an instant that it was his
life or mine.
Under the new laws no native was al
lowed to carry deadly weapon. II one
was found provided with knife or pistol he
was sent TO prison. On the other hand. all
Europeans went armed. had IA revolver
buckled around me, and If Peter had
not been 50 sure Of strangling me he could
have secured the weapon rs he crept up be
hind me. He sprang upon me like a Wild
cat, seeking my throat at every clutch, and
we graprltd and rolled over and over on
the ground He made u dash for my throat
with his right hand rs we rolled about, and
caught the ends OF his FIRST two fingers in
my teeth and BIT to the bone. That one
bite gave me the victory. Still gripping
his fingers, struggled to my knees, reached
for my revolver, and had the muzzIe
against his body when the thought flashed
across my mind that he was the probes
sional stranger wanted by the police. Up
TO that instant had no thought as TO why
he attacked me. When | dropped his lin
gers and covered him with the revolver he
made no further resistance. The native OF
India. like the Arab. believes in fate.
"Sahib, you have won, he said as stood
over him. 1T was 70 be, and so il is. DO
as you will with me-"
peter, why should you seek my iifei'
asked oven vet half hoping there might be