Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-12-17
TTQgely Of he Costello PgSS


Switzerland, in 1S9-, taking a well |
earned rest after the tremendous labor
involved by his brilliant investigations
in connection with what has come to
be known as the Great Blue Pearl rob
berry. that he CHANGED to run into the
arms of the tragedy of the Cestella
Pass. and it is highly probable that,
had the chance not befallen him, the
manner in which Captain Spender
came by his death would never have
been known.
One of Canning's stopping places-he
was on a walking tour, alone-was
beautiful Vervener- He reached there
late one night with the intention of
leaving next morning and crossing the
Cestella Pass to Brass But Brass did
not receive him for the following rea-
son:
On his way along the pass, where the
mountains side is cut into a series OF
precipitous paths. he suddenly came
upon the mangled body of a man. He
was well dressed. strongly made, OF
about 35 years. and but for the horri-
bly, damaged condition of his face.
would doubtless have been remarkably
handsome
With the idea of discovering some
indications OF the manner in which the
fall occurred. Canning began TO look
about.
Presently he stopped. bent down and
picked up wax vesta, which he care
fully put into an empty snuff box
which he carried. A few steps farther
on he came upon another vesta, the
latter having evidently blown out i'm
mediately on being ignited. Close be-
side this was third match of similar
dimensions, but unignited. Both these
Canning put away with the first match.
Still farther along he came upon a
few shreds OF tobacco. the nicotine
soaked end OF a pipe-ill, and three
matches. Two Of the matches had
been struck and Immediately blown
out-by the high wind doubtless
while the third had been burnt down
to the end
Half way back, on the way to the
place where he had climbed up the
steep, he knelt down and, with the aid
OF a pocket lens carefully examined
the ground.
Hunt" he muttered. Whats be-
come OF the walking stick? l have
seen nothing of it. What's this? That
certainly looks as if the owner of the
stick, whoever he was, has stood here
some time and run his stick over the
path in the manner of thoughtful or
agitated men. Yes; and also absent
mindedly picked off the bruised bark
of his stick, for these shreds of bark
have been polished on the one side
Musing thus Canning retraced his
steps until he reached the body, which
lay as he had left it. With all posi-
BILE respect he rified the pockets Of the
Norfolk jacket upon the body and pro-
duced from one pocket a silver match
box and a crumpled letter. From an
other pocket he drew a tobacco-pouch
Slipped in which was a packet of Gig
arctic papers. IN the inside pocket OF
the jacket he found a pocket-book and
some letters addressed to Captain
Spender, Hotel Lurice, Vervener, Swift
zeriand. This address rather surprised
canning, as it was the hotel at which
he had put up the night before. How
ever, from the letters he turned his at
tention to the smoking matters. He
examined the tobacco.
Straight cut, Turkish; only fit fol-
cigarettes" he said: 'as unlike the
shreds and the pipe-fil end as two to-
baccos could be; point, the other mar
smoked pipe. Now to the matches!'
He emptied the matches into his
hand, measured them against the frs
unburnt matches he had picked UP, anS
found that they were all OF the sam,
make and size, very different to tn,
matches he had subsequently picked
up.
''As suspected" he said under hi
breath. 1.-TWO makes OF matches, tw,
brands OF tobxcco equal, in this cas-
at least, two men,"
Examination of the letters and peck
et-book demonstrated that Captain
Spender had been some six weeks il
Switzerland for the benefit Of hi
health; that he was not wanting 70
funds; that he had left in England
lady who was charming letter-write
and subscribed herself Ever your onl
Blanche;" that she had given him
lock of hair. and that he wore it on
small locket on his watchchain.
quite correct" said Canning, grim
ly, as he closed the locket. 'Wha
about this letter from the side pocket
Paris, Ell? Three days old postmark
no date on letter. Dear George h
read, my party will reach Brass Tues
day viii walk over next day to sc
you.-Dick.'
Canning twisted the letter in his fir
gers, glanced at the body at his side
then at the path before him. He CAV
a soft, low whistle, put the letter !
his pocket and rose.
Does Dick smoke pipe. wonder
he said.
After vainly searching high and 10
for the stick, of the presence of whic
he had seen unmistakable signs,