The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-06-28

fare, and l kept in crowds until time
for dinner, when by appointment me-
my neighbor Mordaunt and remained
in his company until reached my owl
doorway, late at night Here he lef
me, and l stood ON the stoop until he
disappeared into his own house. Then
turned and apparently had much trou
BILE to place my latchkey in the lock.
| This offered the assassin the chance
which he had hoped for, and gliding
stealthily forward he made vicious
stab at me. But, in the first place, had
| put on chain armor vest, and, in the
second, expecting the attack to occur
| just as it did, | turned swiftly, and with
blow with club knocked the weapon
from the fellows hand, and with an.
other I struck him over the head so that
lie fell senseless at my feet. "
''Bravop' cried Mr.. Barnes. "You
have cool nerve. "
| II don't know. I think l was very
much excited at the crucial moment,
but with my chain armor, "a stout, load
ed club in one hand and derringer in
the other never was in any real danger
| y UOOh CuO llsth tOWA w Viz VIII
and locked him in one of the vaults.
| Then called cab and went down to
| the Imperial in search of Palma but
was too late. He had vanished.
$50 I discovered, interjected Mr.
Barnes.
81 could get nothing out of the fellow
in the cellar. Either he cannot or he
will not speak English. So have mere
ly kept him prisoner, visiting him at
midnight only, to avoid Williams, and
giving him rations for another day.
Meanwhile disguised myself and look
ed for Palma. | could not find him. I
had another card, however, and the
time came at last to play it. I deduced
from Palma's leaving the hotel ON the
very day when l took the emerald from
the custom house that it was prear-
ranged that his hireling should stick to
me until he obtained the gem and then
meet him at some rendezvous previous
ly appointed Hearing nothing during
the past few days, he has perhaps
thought that left the city and that his
man was still upon my track. Mean
while was perfecting my grand coup.
With the aid of physician, who is a
confidential friend, obtained cadaver
from one of the hospitals-a man about
my size. We dressed him in my cloth
ing, battered the head and face with
club and fixed the dagger which 1 had
taken from my would be assassin SO
tightly in the backbone that it would
not drop out. Then one night we took
our dummy to the river and securely
anchored it in the water. Last night I
simply cut it loose and let it drift down
the river"
"You knew, of course, that it would
be found and taken to the morgue, said
Mr.. Barnes.
Precisely. Then dressed myself as
blind beggar, posted myself in front
of the morgue and waited.
"You were the beggar?" calculated
the detective
Eyes. l have your quarter and shall
prize it as a souvenir. Indeed made
nearly 81 during the day. Begging
seems to be lucrative. After the news
papers got on the street with the account
of my death looked for developments.
Palma came in due time and went in. I
presume that he saw the dagger, which
was placed there for his especial benefit,
as well as the empty jewel case, and at
once concluded that his man had stolen
the gem and meant to keep it for him
self. Under these circumstances he
less cautious and more easily shadowed.
Before he came out you turned up and
stupidity brought cab which allowed
my man to get a start of me. However,
/ am good runner, and as he rode only
as far as Third avenue and then took the
elevated railroad I easily followed him
to his lair. Now, l will explain what I
wish you to do, if I may count on you?"
"Assuredly."
"You must go out into the street, and
when | release the man in the cellar you
must track him. l will go to the other
place, and we will see what happens
when the two men meet. We will both
be there to see the fun -
An hour later Mr.. Barnes was skill
fully dogging sneaking Mexican, who
walked rapidly through one of the low
est streets on the east side until finally
he lodged into blind alley, and be,
fore the detective could make sure which
of the many doors had allowed him in
sress he bad disappeared. A moment
later a low whistle attracted his atten-
tion, and across in doorway he saw a
figure which beckoned to him. He went
over and found Mr.. Mitchell.
''Palma is here l have seen him.
You see, l was right. This is the place
of appointment, and the cutthroat has
come here straight Hush, what was
that?"
There was shrek, followed by an
ether, and then silence.
"Let us go up" said Mr.. Barnes.
'Do you know which door?'
eyes. Follow me-
Mr.. Mitchell started across, but Just
as they reached the door footsteps were
heard rapidly descending the stairs
Both men stood aside and waited. A
minute later a cloaked figure bounded
out, only to be gripped instantly by those
ia hiding, 1t was Palma, and he fought
like demon, but the long, powerful
arms of Mr.. Barnes encircled him, and
with hug that would have made bear
envious the scoundrel was soon suhdped.
Mr.. Barnes then mapaQlea him, while
Mr.. Mitchell assembled the stairs to see
about the other man. He lay sprawling
on the floor, face downward, stabbed to
the heart.