The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-04-20
ThePiccadiny Puzzle.
THE STORY OF A TERRIBLE EPISODE
In THE LIFE OF An ENGLISH
NOBLEMAN.
BY F. w. HUME
CHAPTER TX.
THE MISSING LINK.

Miss Penfold; so, going to his patrons
Office he repeated 1t in due course to DOW
ker. The result was that the detective
became much exercised in his mind over
the whole affair. He could not under
stand Desmond's refusal to tell 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. Povy said
Lena Sarschine had been there between
IL and IL, and it was unlikely she would
be wrong, seeing how we'll acquainted she
was with the appearance Of the dead
woman. But then, judging from the drift
of Desmonds remarks, his refusal to
speak was dictated by desire to screen
the honor Of a woman.
You see this2" asked Dowker, show
ing Flip the dagger he had abstracted
from Cleopatra Villa.
Flip intinated by vigorous nod OF
his head that he did.
i've got an idea," explained Dowker,
smoothly, that dagger very similar to
this is to be 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 q
satisfied manner.
I'll do it, guv'nor," he said, saga
siously.
-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
.perish'-you knows'-in an e1plana-
tory tone-4say I'm dyin' for victuals-
ELI take me inside, and when I gifts there
you leave me alone, guv'nor, I'm hy!"
Well. you can manage it as you
please said 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, I'll give
you half SOW"
Done, guv'nor," said Flip, joyfully,
and, bidding adieu to his patron, went
off to get something to eat and prepare
his plan Of action.
It was now about six o'clock and very
dark, the sky being overcast with clouds.
Soon it began to rain steadily and the
streets became sloppy and dismal; Flip
drew his rags round him, shlvered lit
tie in professional manner, and then
going off to cook-shop he patronized
in Drury Lane, had hunch of bread
and steaming cup of coffee for small
sum.
Being thus prepared for his work Flip
wiped his mouth, and, ssllying forth into
the dirty lane, took his way up to Blooms
bury, combining business with pleasure
by begging on the road.
Turning into Primrose Crescent he soon
fo,,-I {hn ho uonfa1 Qn6 nnrIInD
himself on the doorstep, waited patiently
for chance to deliver Myles into his de-
signing hands.
The rain continued to pour down stead
lily, and as it was now dark Flip could see
the windows all along the street being
lighted up. The gas-lamps also shone
brightly through the rain, and we're re-
Aected in dull, blurred splashes on the
pavements. Occasionally q gentleman
would hurry past with his umbrella up,
and ragged tramp would slouch along
singing a dismal ditty. 1t was dreary
waiting, but Flip was used to such times,
and sat quite contented, thinking how
he could lay out his promised half SOW
ereign to the best advantage, till his
quick ear caught the sound of footsteps
inside.
This was his cue, so he Immediately
lay down on the wet stones and COM
menced to moan dismally. Myles opened
the door and would have stumbled over
him, for he was right in front of the en-
trance after the fashion of the clown in
the pantomime, only he caught sight Of
hiE in time.
"Hullo," said Myles. GROSSLY, what the
deuce is the matter?"
Flip made no reply to this, but groaned
with renewed vigor, upon which Des-
mond, who was kind-heartei man,
bent down and touched the ragged little
figure. .,,o,,
~Oh, Lor'-awful-myi insides, groaned
Flip, pressing his dirty hands on his
stomach. Amt had bit for days"
Myles was doubtful as to the genuine
ness Of this case, as he knew how decep-
tive tramps are, but as the poor lad did
seem in pain aud it was raining heavily
he determined to give him the benefit of
the doubt.
Can you riser" he asked, sharply. If
SO, get ap and come inside. I'll give you
something to do you good.
With many groans and asseverations OF
extreme pain rip struggled to his feet,
and aided by Myles went inside, up the
stairs and was at last safely deposited on
the hearthrug in front of the FIRE, where
he lay and groaned with great dramatic
effect.
-pll give you some hot port wine, said
Myles, going to the sidebosrd and taking
out glass and bottle, so I'll have to
90 downstairs and get some hot water
you wait here"
Flip groaned again and gyrated on the
floor like young eel; but when the door
had closed behind his benefactor, he
sprang to his feet and took a survey OF
the room.
1t was o large and lofty apartment
with pair OF folding-doors on one side,
which being half open showed Flip that
the other room was bedroom.
There was sidebosrd in the sitting
room, and near this writing-table,
toward which Flip darted and commenced
to 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 sideboard,
examined the bookcase and lifted up the
covers of the chairs, he found no sign OF
the weapo
Must be in the bedroom, thought Flip,
scratching his head in perplexity and
wondering how he could get in. when
suddenly It occurred to him that he had
-a< tho ypoDta1 r;aoa