Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-03-31
CHAPTER XVII.

You seem surprised, Mr.. Stantonr'
exclaimed the inspector.
Il am surprised / echoed, land /
intend to explain why presently. Mean
while. / suppose you are trying to get
on the track of the second man who
lived in that tentY'
That's what we are doing, sir
hard at It."
You will never find him." I said.
mo, sir? May 1 ask what makes you
so sure OF that?"
simply because my opinion is that
he does not exist-never did exist"
The inspectors jaw dropped. But
but Mr.. Carson Wildred"-ne began,
when 1 turned on him and cut him
short.
You shall Judge for yourself
whether 1 have any evidence to offer
worth building upon" I said. And
then l told him everything, beginning
with my chance meeting with Harvey
Farnham at the theatre on Christmas
Eve.
His face grew graver and graver as
vent on, and when at last (having
dwelt with due insistence upon the
mysterious proceedings attending my
call at the house by the lock- / men
toned the temperance of the ring on
a young lady's finger he shook his head
regretfully.
You've made out fairly good case
against Mr.. Mildred, sir" he observed.
Would ii be indiscret to ask whether
you've any personal enmity against
the gentleman
81 don't like him." I admitted. And
then went on to describe In a few
words my haunting impression of hav-
ing been disagreeably associated with
him in the past.
81 would WISH" ! added hurriedlv.
Ito keep the name OF the lady now in
possession of the ring entirely out of
the question If possible. 1t must only
be brought in, Inspector, at the last ex.
tremity, should no other means remain
or detecting murderer. AS for the ring
itself, to save trouble in thatdirection. /
think 1 could If necessary engage to
get hold OF 1t, and am quite ready AT
any time to swear to its identity with
the one worn by my old friend Farm.
ham,"
The Inspector thoughtfuny scratched
his head It'll be a nasty business to
examine Mr.. Wildreds house. in casa
your friend, Mr.. Farnham. shouId
prove to be over in the States Rut we
can't lose any time. What you've told
me to-day is very serious. sir, and mnss
be attended to at once. A couple OF de.
teetives will call at the house by the
lock with a search warrant before
nightfail. i can assure you OF that. I'm.
Ill some definite conclusion is arrived
at, Mr. Stanton ] suppose you would
prefer that your name didn't appear in
the matter?'
II don't care q hang whether it ar
pears or not" retorted recklessl
Perhaps If had been little less reck
less. But 1t is never profitable to
dwell on or brood over the mistakes OF
cre's past
The Inspector assured me that a de
tective should call that highs at the
hotel in Great NARROW, where ] had
volunteered to remain, and give me all
particulars concerning-the examination
OF the house by the lock. The ap-
pointment was made for 8 o'clock, by
which time, allowing for obstacles and
delays, all was sure to be well over.
Though the inspector had promised
that the New York police should be
communicated with. great restlessness
was upon me, and resolved myself to
cable to America.
1t was possible that the st. Paul, the
ship In which Farnham had been sup.
posed to sail In was arriving in New
York that day, though the chances
were, as the weather had been rough
that she would not have made one OF
her record trips. However, there could
be no harm In wiring, and II the ship
had got In all waste Of time would be
avoided. s.t~s vss,r az
| I wrote out a SiisDatch To the Office
OF the American Line in New York, ia
be answered, (reply prepaidl the mo-
ment the St Paul got tn. In this In
CURED whether Mr.. Harvey Farnham
OF Denver. Col. had been among the
passengers. And, not containing my.
self with this. 1 -cabled Farnbam. both