The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-02
CHAPTER II.
tI-sf fSIs IT.
TJJE MAN WHO uAn THE RINC

1
| CHAPTER II.
THE MAN WHO HAD THE RING.
The murder at Bezil and Carat's came t
| light exactly twenty-four hours after TIL
! Alaska left the wharf. And it made ;
| sensation. But the police were puzzled il
spite of the clue of the new knife found il
| the bag of tools. They could not believe
| that the renowned "Toff Bird" would
give himself away in such fashion. MOI
was the job at all like one of his. Thus ;
| fortnight went by before it was suspected
that the murderer must really have got
off in the Alaska, and the cable began tt
talk to the Frisco authorities. Then the
arrival of the steamer was reported, and
word flashed under the ocean that no per.
son in the slightest degree resembling the
criminal had been found among her pos
sengers.
Couldn't expect anything else," remark
ed Detective Barnes. 'iIe was there,
though, all the same. Good Lord! the
beggar's regular genius, It amt to be
expected that those chaps yonder could
twig him when he's done us times and
again. Why, 1 saw the boa: start. and
wouldn't like to swear that he didn't ask
ire for light for his pipe. The only
thing that might lag him is the ring. But
never knew the .Toff' to collar set stones
before. And the chances are that he's
chucked the gold over the side long ago."
Great was the surprise. then. of those
interested 10 receive word, {; month or two
afterward, that the San Francisco police
had actually arres.sd The man with the
ring in his possession. And about the ,at-
ter there could be no possible mistake, as
besides its high vaiue and striking appear
ance, 1t had not been the property OF the
firm-simply held by them for initial let
tering around the inside Of the oirclet.
This was just finished when the burglar
slipped 1t on his finger. Now IL seemed
likely enough to be the means Of slipping
rope around his neck.
Barnes, armed with full powers, was de-
spatched via London, where he was to
procure extradition papers, the Australian
colonies not being considered able as yet
to stand alone in that respect.
I'm blessed il l think I'll be able to
swear to him, SIR remarked the officer to
the Inspector General of Police as he
started. Il don't know whether l ever
saw his natural features. Once, / re-
member. he shaved himself bald; another
time his hard be thick and woolly as a
niggers. His features and person he
fakes, too. in such a way as to completely
and permanently alter his appearance"
Pooh, nonsense. Barnes replied the
L-G.-P., testify. I'D pick the fellow out
myself anywhere. Didn't we all see him
for days together whilst his case against
the Advertiser was on"
I'VE did. Sir" answered Barnes. trlum-
phantly, land week after he swindled a
bushman out of $500 by the confidence
dodge. / knew at once by the cut of the
trick that it was the 'Toff's' doing Still.
the countryman swore hard and fast he'd
been robbed by very stout man with fat
cheeks and thick lips, who walked lame
and had cast in the right eye. Can you
conceive. sir, OF anybody more unlike the
plaintiff in Hunter VS.. the 'Adyertiser?'
ana, doubtless, whilst We were taking
notes for future use, he was all made ND. - |
wen, we'll Barnes" replied his supe- |
rior, you must bring somebody. These |
newspapers keep on nagping
me about the case at every opportunitv
Bring the man who had the ring, and you |
IAN go very far wrong. Remember that. !
SarneS-bring the man who had the ring,"
Il viii, SIR replied the detective re- |
DICED at finding his instructions com
ressed into single explicit sentence. and /
happily ignorant of all that sentence held /
or him in the muture.
barnes first introduction to his pris-
ner at San Francisco somewhat stagger-
q him. he found him in a comfortable
Dom, surrounded by flowers. boxes of
isars, and sweetmeats-a dark complex
oned, clean shaver, rather handsome
niddie-aged man, who seemed in the best
II spirits, TO be heartily enjoying him
ell, and who, despite a resemblance to
he accepted official description might or
night not be the "Toff Bird for all the
elective could say.
Well remarked the prisoner. as he
uiied cloud of fragrant smok. into
'arnes' amazed face, 81 suppose the fun's
ii over now, eh? And can tell you I've
ad good time of it. Now you'd better
Ell 10 work and find the real Simon Pure"
oh, SAID Barnes, what do you call
ourself, then? And what does all this
inny business mean? Cad it looks like a
Gene in bloomin burlesuue,"
1t is-exactly-my friend" replied the
Their. as he lit a fresh cigar but YOU
ont meant TO say that you're going TO
airy IL any farther?'
You bet, Mr.. James Hunter that
N. replied the detective: or rather
m going TO carry you on to Sydney. there
stand your trial for murder and rob
cry" /
For minute or two the other looked
ave. Then, leaning back IN his chair he
Al St ihto sEuut AFTER Snout OF laughter |
Well, said he at last, growing calmer.
we had some curious things happen to
e in my time, But this bangs 'em all,
we. What will Jack Darcy say? Yes,
II see IL through-dashed II | don't,
onder II there's any damages hanging
the business" c
It's no use gagging. 'ToT Bird re-
led the detective. grimly. Were pret- I
well up to your moves by this time. q
I'd I'm blest if / think much of this one l
lstaken identity, of course Why don't p
u say you're bloomin' lord at once. a
d ha' done with it?" n
But at this the prisoner nearly choked a
an excess of merriment j
So am, you fool" he gasped at length. u
We told 'em SO here over and over p
ain. And now tell you. only took my y
nily name Of Brown SO as to have a "
tie peace among these democrats. I h
nght the ring you're making SO much S
IS about from chap up yonder in Sc Il
lie. Go and find him. He might be your Il
rderer." 81
Too thin" replied Barnes, shaking his al
I'd. You're the 'Ton Bird right So