Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-05-09


'.TnE TREASURE Is Iosr,' SAID MISS
MoRsTAN
these riches, sealed my lips. Now that
they are gone can tell you how love
you. That Is why | said. Thank Cod
Then say Thank God too she
whispered, as drew her to my side.
Whoever Ind lost treasure, | knew
that night that had gained one.
CHAPTER XII
THE STRANGE STORY OF JONATHAN SMALL.
A very patient man was the inspector
in the cab for 1t was weary time be-
fore rejoined him. His face clouded
over when | showed him the empty
box.
"There goes the reward" said he,
gloomily. Where there is no money
there is no pay. This nights work
would have been worth a tenner each
to Sam Brown and me If the treasure
had been there
"Nlr. Thaddeus Sholto lisa rich mar"
Isaid lie will see that you are re-
warded, treasure or no"
The inspector shook his head de.
spondently, however, Its bad job, ="
he repeated, "and SO Mr.. Athelney
Jones will think
His forecast proved to be correct
for the detective looked blank enough
when got to Baker street and showed
him the empty box They had only
lust arrived, Holmes, the prisoner and
he, for they had changed their plans SO
far as to report themselves at station
upon the way. My companion lounged
In his armchair with his usual listless
expression, while Small sat stolidly OPP
posite to him with his wooden leg
cooked over his sound one As ex-
hibited the empty box he leaned back
In his chair and laughed aloud.
"This Is your doing, Small" said
Athelney Jones, angrily.
Eyes, have put 1t away where you
shall never lay hand upon IT." he cried,
exultantly. ut Is my treasure; and u
can't have the loot III take darned
good care that no one else does. tell
you that no living man has any right
to 1t, unless 1t is three men who are in
the Andaman convict barracks and my
self. know now that cannot have
the use of it, and | know that they
cannot have acted all through for
them as much rs for myself. Its been
the sign Of four with us always Well
I know that they would have had Inc
do Just what have done, and throw
the treasure into the Thames rather
than let it 90 to kith or kin of sholtc
or Of Morstan, 1t was not to make
them rich that we did for Achmet
You'll find the treasure where the key
Is, and whore little Tonga Is. When
saw that your launch must catch us,
put the loot in safe place. There are
no rupees for you this Journey
"You are deceiving us, Small" said
Athelney Jones, sternly. "lf you hat
wished to throw the treasure into the
Thames it would have been easier fol
YOU to have thrown box and all"
Easier for me to throw, and easier
for you to recover" he answered, witt
a shrewd, sidelong look. 1.-THE mar
that was clever enough to hunt mt
down is clever enough to pick an iror
box from tho bottom Of river Nov
that they are scattered over five mile
or SO, 1t may be II harder job. 1t wen
to my beart to do it, though. wa
half mad when you came up with us
However, there's no good grieving owe
It. I've had ups in my life, and w
had downs, but I've learned not to or,
over split milk"
"This slavery serious matter, Small
said the detective. III you had helpe'
justice, instead Of thwarting 1t in thi
way, you would have had a bette
chance at your trial"
"Justicels snarled the ex-convict. u
pretty justicel Whose loot Is this,
1t Is not ours9 Where Is the justic
that | should give It up to those VIII
have never earned it9 Look how hav
earned it! Twenty long years In tina
fever-ridden swamp, all day at wor
under the mangrove tree, all nigh
chained up in the filthy convict hut
bitten by mosquitoes, racked wit
ague, bullied by every cursed blacl
faced policeman who loved to take
out Of white man. That was how
earned the Agra treasures and you tai
: to me Of justice because cannot bea
to feel that have paid this price onl
that another may enjoy I'll | woul
rather swing n score of time
or have enc OF Iongas uarts
my hide, than live in eonvict's ce
and feel that another man is Mt his eas
in a palace with the money that shoul
be mine Small had dropped his mas
Of stoicism, and all this came out In
wild whirl Of words, while his cy'
; blazed and the handouts clanked +
gether with impassioned movement
his hands | could understand as
b saw the fury and the passion OF II
!. man, that 1t was no groundless or u
!. natural terror which had possesst
Maj Sholto when he first learned tn
Q the injured convict was upon his trac
b "You forget that we know nothing
i all this" said Holmes. quietly, "