The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-08-02

through the window, l saw him lying
in his bed, with his sons on each side
of him. I'd have come through and
taken my chance with the three of
them, only even as looked at him his
jaw dropped, and 1 knew that he was
gone. got into his room that same
night, though, and l searched his
papers to see if there was any record of
where he had hidden our Jewels.
There was not a line, however, so /
came away, bitter and savage as a man
could be. Before l left I bethought
me that if l ever met my Sikh friends
again it would be satisfaction to know
that 1 had left some mark of our ha-
tired; so 1 scrawled down the sign of the
four of us, as it had been on the chart,
and pinned it on his bosom. 1t was
too much that he should be taken to
the grave without some token from the
men whom he had robbed and befooled.
1--WE earned living at this time by
my exhibiting poor Tonga at fairs and
other places as the black cannibal. He
would eat raw meat and dance his war
dance; so we always had hatful of
a L
heard all the news from Pondicherry
Lodge, and for some years there was
no news to hear, except that they were
hunting for the treasure. At last, how
ever, came what we had waited for so
long. The treasure had been found.
1t was up at the top of the house, in
Mr.. Bartholomew Sholto's chemical
laboratory. / came at once and had
look at the place, but 1 could not see
how with my wooden leg was to make
my way up to it. learned, however,
about a trap-door in the roof,
and also about Mr.. Sholto's sup
per hour. 1t seemed to me that
could manage the thing east
" through Tonga. 1 brought him
out with me with long rope wound
round his waist. He could climb like
cat, and he soon made his way through
the roof, but, as i'll luck would have it,
Bartholomew Sholto was still in the
room, to his cost. Tonga thought he
had done something very clever in kill
ing him, for when I came up by the
rope l found him strutting about as
proud as a peacock. Very much sur
prised was he when l made at him with
the ropes end and cursed him for lit
tie bloodthirsty imp. took the treas
ure-box and let it down, and then slid
down myself, having first left the sign
of the four upon the table. to show
that the jewels had come back at last
to those who had most right to them.
Tonga then pulled up the rope, closed
the window, and made off the way
that he had come.
Il don't know that have anything
else to tell yOu. / had heard a water
man speak of the speed of Smiths
launch. the Aurora, so | thought she
would be handy craft for our escape.
l engaged with old Smith, and was to
give him big sum if he got us safe to
our ship. He knew, no doubt, that
there was some screw loose. but he was
not in our secrets. All this is the
truth. and if | tell it to you, gentlemen,
it is not to amuse yOu-for you have
not done me very good turn-but it is
because l believe the best defense
can make is just to hold back nothing,
but let all the world know how badly
| have myself been served by Mai
Sholto, and how innocent am of the
death of his SON"
"A very remarkable account" said
Sherlock Holmes. "A fitting wind-up
to an extremely interesting case.
There is nothing at all new to me in
the latter part of your narrative, eX-
cept that you brought your own rope.
That | did not know. BY the way, |
had hoped that Tonga had lost all his
darts; yet he managed to shoot one at
US in the boat"
He had lost them all, sir, except the
one which was in his blow pipe at the
time"
'Ah, of course" said Holmes. 81
had not thought of that"
rs there any other point which you
would like to ask about?" asked the
convict, affably.
Il think not, thank you my COM
panion answered.
We'll, Holmes" said Athelney
Jones, you are a man to be humored,
and we all know that you are con-
noisseur of crime. but duty is duty, and
have gone rather far in doing what |
you and your friend asked me. l shall |
feel more at ease when we have our
story-teller here under lock and key
The cab still waits, and there are two |
inspectors downstairs. l am much |
obliged to you both for your assistance. |
OF course. you will be wanted at the |
trial. Goodnight to you"
Goodnight, gentlemen, BOTH" said |
Jonathan Small.
You first, Small, remarked the wary |
Jones as they left the room. Iii take |
particular care that you don't club me |
with you wooden leg, whatever you |
may have done to the gentleman at the |
Andaman Isles"
We'll, and there is the end of our |
drama" remarked, after we had sat |
some time smoking in silence. Il fear |
it shall be the last investigation in |
which ] shall have the chance of study |
ing your methods. Miss Morstan has |
done me the honor to accept me as a /
husband in prospective"
He gave a most dismal groan. 81 /
feared as much" said he, Il really can
not congratulate you"
l was little hurt. "Have you any |
reason to be dissatisfied with my |
choice?" asked.
Not at all. think she is one of the /
most charming young ladies ever met,
and might have been most useful in |
such work as we have been doing. She |
had a decided genius that way; wit /
ness the way in which she preserved .
that Agra plan from all the other pa
pers of her father. But love is an emo
tlonal thing, and whatever is emo
tional is opposed to that true cold rea-
son which / place above all things l
should never marry myself, lest l bias
my judgment"
Il trust said I, laughing. that my
judgment may survive the ordeal. But
you look weary"
Yes, the reaction is already upon
me. shall be as limp as a rag for 4
week.
Strange" said !. ''how terms of
what in nnnthnr man SLn11ld call |