The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-12-30
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It was while John Canning was in
Switzerland, in 1S9-, taking 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 en- 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 series OF
precipitous paths, he suddenly came
upon the mangled body of man. He
was well dressed, strongly made, OF
about IS 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 q
few shreds of tobacco, the nicotine
soaked end Of a u1pe-fll, 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 pocket lens carefully examined
the ground.
HUM" he muttered. Whats be.
come of the walking stick? / have
seen nothing OF it. What's this? THAI
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 OF
agitated men. Yes; and also absent
mindedly picked off the bruised barb
of his stick, for these shreds of bari
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 rifled the pockets OF thu
Norfolk jacket upon the body and pro
dIced from one pocket silver match
box and a crumpled letter. From an
other pocket he drew a tobacco-pouch
slipped in which was packet of Gig
arctic papers. In the inside pocket O.
the jacket he found a pocket-book ant
some letters addressed to Captain
Spender, Hotel Lurice, Vervener, Swift
zerland. This address rather surprised
Canning. as 1t was the hotel at which
he had put up the night before. How
ever from the letters he turned his at
sention to the smoking matters. H,
examined the tobacco.
Straight cut, Turkish; only fit To-
cigarettes" he said; "as unlike tn,
shreds and the pipe-fill end as two to
baccos could be; point, the other mai
smoked pipe. Now to the matches!
He emptied the matches into hi
hand, measured them against the frs
unburnt matches he had picked up, ant
found that they were all OF the sam,
make and size, very different to tn,
matches he had subsequently picket
up.
las l Gufpected," he said under hi
breath. Tive n:skes OF matches, tw,
brands OF tobacco. 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 II
Switzerland for the benefit OF hi
health; that he was not wanting TO
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 1t 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
~ date on letter. Dear George b
read, my party will reach Brass Tues
dry. Will walk over next day to 20
ros.-Dick.'
Canning twisted the letter In his nm
gers, glanced at the body at his sidt
then at the path before him. lie CAV
soft, low whistle, put the letter /
his pocket and rose.
Does Dick smoke pipe, wonder
he said.
After vainly searching high and lo'
for the stick, of the presence of whic
he had seen unmistakable signs, b
gathered together the articles he ha
taken from the pockets OF Capital
SpeDder, threw his coat over the deaf
white face, and strobe away in th
direction of Verrener.
After little more than an hour
stiff walking Canning reached the He
tel Luriee, where he Immediately d.
manded to see the manager.
This gentleman. the Usual type {
Swiss hotelkeerer, came forward.
Captain SpeDder." began Canning
"He slept here last night. eh?"
HE has been staying here som
weeks" was the reply. But al
! afraid you cannot see him as he Ia
gone to Brass"