, 1898-10-14
with me
~ f

as i VIZ 70 BdUner SOME u ~ I1h
about there, and I gradually got my head
over the bank, and saw the Colonel COM
ing slowly down the road. l watched tll
he disappeared on his way back, then |
went on picking specimens here and
there, till l came pretty nigh where had
watched him STOPPING down. Not a SOUL
was to be seen. When | was there in the
autumn time, there used to be bits of boys
herding sheep and goats, but there were
none now. When | got eS@st the part
where l had noticed the Colonel, l looked
we'll around under the bushes, and at last
. came upon a spot where the grass looked
a bit disturbed and mixed with mould, as
if someone had been digging for roots.
! took the bearings of it and went away
back to Fordsea with enough leaves n
twigs to set up a botanist. Very early
next morning | found the Colonel was go
ing off to London, so l bought a troWel,
and then l watched him start off in the
train. As 0 as l saw him safe | trudg-
ed away to the place l had marked. l
would take no one with me. 1t was easy
to dig, for the soil had been lately stirred,
and scarce a foot below the surface l
came to a gold chain and locket, then a
bracelet, then I picked out three or foul
rings, then a gold bangle all messed with
mould. There are more there, but these
are enough for me-"
He took a brown paper parcel from his
pocket, and opening it carefully, displayed
the trinkets, soiled and bent.
Standish took up and examined each.
He was stunned, yet did not let himself
: go. Dillon was not the man to whom one
should make an unguarded admission.
aNOur av+ra ordinarv inpnnuitv has I'M.
earthed an extraordinary story he said
at length. THE circumstantial evidence
against Colonel Callander is of course
very strong, but it is not conclusive"
perhaps not returned Dillon, care
lessly. "still l think there IS enough tc
Justify me in applying to the Eastpor'
magistrates for the reward, and detanlns
my reasons for asking it"
"No doubt rejoined Standish, coolly.
seeing Dillon's drift, while the revolving
of publicity rushed into hi
mind. ST do not suppose Colonel Callan
der's family, would wish to rob you OF
reward which you have so justly earnet
by your zeal. and, perseverance, though
certainly l little anticipated the curious
direction your inquiries have taken! You
own experience must nave shown you nov
misleading circumstantial evidence YER
often is; further search might show a dlf
ferent side to the story!-suppose l prom
ise o another thousand if, by your tram
ed skill and natural acuteness, o dis
cover any other solution to the mystery!
Look here, Mr.. Standish," said tn
detective impatiently, fyou are a little to
exacting. Why should l work any hare
er for that second thousand than l nav
done? The more we seek, the worse tn
!, case will be against your friend. IN
best piece of service you can do hin an
/ all the family is to keep it all dark.
don't believe the poor fellow is quite rigf
t in the upper story. Take a day to thin
over it-and If you won't seal my lips wlt
l a second thousand, why, I'll make sure
the first through the magistrates of Eas
; port" >.
! Paul's heart thrilled with painful pit
when he thought of what the man'g tie
( rible sufferings must have beenl 3ut WI