Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-16
THE MYSTERY AT MAMMA.


a mole on the left shoulder and a scar
on the left knee. evidently a very old one.
Beyond these there was absolutely no
thlng--not so much as n pins prick,
Then 1 examined the lips-I could not
open the mouth-but found no suggestion
that could help me. The idea Of poison,
which j had pondered over on the way
down. was untenab'e. Poisons left their
traces IN the eyes. the rigor OF the mus
cles. the perfume Of the breath. NO
poison had been used here. 1t was, after
al. as Martingale had said. heart or
apoplexy; probably rush Of blood 10 the
head.
So I came away and returned to the
camp. weary and sad. TO discuss the
funeral with the others.
We buried him on the hillside that
night ard sent full account OF what
had happened TO the resident at Bhamo.
Then we III our pipes and smoked ana
thought-at least I did, and so also did
Dick. / rather fancy that Martingale.
more hardened TO death than were we,
and perhaps less imaginative, had dis
missed tho subject from his mind. Any
way. he appeared to resent our silence,
and chaned US more than once about our
troubled looks
1.-THE poor beggar had n stroke. there's
no question about that; and he's gone,
Door chap SO may you or l be to-mor-
row. But what's the good OF being gluH1?
Il won't help him. and IL does you chaps
n deal Of harm, and bores me. Pull your
selves together and wen have a game OF
dummy"
We got the cards and started the game,
but It was a dismal failure. The Captain
took dummy. but his adversaries tried
him severely. Ny thoughts were con-
stantly straying, nor could l recall even
the aces that fell; while Martlngale's ir-
rltabllity was brought 10 a crisis, when,
towards the end OF the second round,
VALLEY revoked. Then Martingale rose.
II enjoy game" he said. land don't
mind winning your money; but I'm not
thief. and I don't want presents. Put the
cards away, for Heavens sake. I'll so
and play spool with Tommy"
He did not put his threat into execution,
however, but lay back in his chair and
pulled hard at his MANILA in silence.
Dick broke the spell.
Look here, Freddy" he said, IL don't
mind what you say TO me. and 1 don't
suppose Cranstone does either. or course,
we have both been playing avfully badly.
We know that, and admit 81. so you
needn't get in n puff about ii. Well, I'm
going TO tell you something. whether you
like IL or no; and I'm very much mis-
taken If Cranstone don't agree with me.
/ don't beleve-and | won't believe-thot
Wrottesley died a natural death. So you
can report il as apoplesy, or syncope, or
hydrophobia II you IKE, and you can re-
port me for characterization in the bar
gain. but I'll be hanged If / believe II II
you have me eourt-martialled. So there"
Martngale started TO rise from his
-. tie fy,I ~ turning
towards me, put the question:
"Do you agree with Valley"
II do and don't" I replied. II, OF
course, see that apopleXy or heart failure
are the only diseases that satisfactorily
account for the suddenness and apparent
ese Of death; but ! cannot bring my
self 70 regard poor Nrottesley as having
been subject TO either"
ut isn't necessary for man to be
subject to apoplexy in order to have IT,"
he retorted; you ought to know that.
The heat will often bring 1t on. It's
ridiculous trying 10 create mystery
over such a business; Of course. IL was
unexpected. but that doesn't make II i'm
possible For my own part / think you
chaps are a couple of hysterical girls,
and I've had about enough of you for
one day, so I'm going to turn in" and
Martingale emptied his glass and quilted
the tent.
glanced towards Dick.
Bring him back" he said.
rose end got outside just In time 10
see the Captain closing the inner flap Of
HIS sleeping-tent, which was pitched be-
tween Valleys and mine, opposite where
stood.
We sat broodinz In silence. broken only
by the occasional buzzing OF a mosquito.
Now and again the whirr Of a bats
wing as II careered over the canvas roof
struck our ear, but the rest was as still
as death We sat thus for the best part
Of an hour each fun of his thoughts.
For my part, ! was trying TO solve the
mystery which, in my own mind. l felt
certain overhung the death Of Wrottes-
ley. / strained every muscle Of ingenuity
TO invent some possible scheme Of VEN
geance or villainy which could have re-
suited I'm causing a death such as l had
seen, but to no purpose; and I at length
gave II UP and resolved that after all.
perhaps the Captain was right, and II
was apoplexy or syncope.
I'm going to turn in" said VALLEY
suddenly. II shall be glad when to-
morrow comes"
And ] echoed the sentiment as we quit
ted the tent together, and each made for
his nights quarters.
Contrary 10 expectation, I soon fell
asleep and slept soundly Nor was my
repose broken by dreams.
II.
woke with a start. to find Dick
shaking me by tho shoulder. 1t was
late, and the sun was high in the
heavens.
What's the natter" demanded, feel
ing a sense Of impending misfortune.
Nothing wrong, l hope?'
"Freddy's gone I'm the night"
Gone !Bolted? Disappeared"
Dead" he replied. like the other
chap"
Good Godw
We gazed at each other. We felt lost.
Neither knew what TO do or say.
VALLEY pulled himself together first.
Come along he said. and went with
| him towards the Captains quarters We
drew back the flap and entered
There. on the camp bedstead. lay Fred
ericls Martingale on his back, dead and
cold. His eyes were open, but his fea-
! lures were composed. No Sign Of suffer-
| ing no trace Of anguish, was TO be seen.
| There was nothing 10 point to the cause
| Of death. We carefully felt the body; we
| searched the bed; we stripped the corpse,
| and sought for wound, drop Of blood
| q little puncture. There was nothing there.
zone OF Us must go to Bhamo." l sug-
gested, land fetch the doctor. This must
be inquired into
VALLEY nodded.
Better send" he said. zone Of us may
be needed here"
I saw his point Who could tell who
would be the next victim?
We left a guard over the tent, and
having hastily dressed, we met again in
the mess tent. Then we drew up re-
port OF what had happened since des-
patching our details Of the Residents
death, and announced our intention OF
keeping the body above ground until the
| o,,.co 80 doafh mad hpap certified