The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-10-26
A Detectives Adventure
p 4 3 q q HifftQrsfrp

tion," said the visitor, slowly
"and l want you to extricate me.
am very confident of your ability tc
do so, because of the successful way
in which you solved the Workinghan
mystery"
IF you will state your case viii
give it my attention." replied Des
mond, ignoring the compliment.
"Then you'll come with me to my
house?" went on the other, who hao
given the name of Phillips. "All my
documents are there, for, not count.
ing upon refusal, did not bring
them"
what is the distance to your
house?'
'Three miles or so. ] have cal
outside"
The jehu evidently knew where te
drive, for no instructions were givep
him before the two entered the ve
hicle. Phillips relapsed into silence
nor did he speak again until the cat
drew up at the door of large brick
house, situated in street that Des
mond did not remember having seen
before.
Here we are" he said, ascending
the steps and throwing open the door
Follow me-" And Phillips led the
way along dimly-lit passage and
entered cozy room at the other end
snow that you have brought me
this long distance you will kindly give
me the facts of your case at once,'
said Desmond, sharply. II may say
frankly | 40 not like this secrecy"
''You are safe in our hands," said
the other. "There is no need to be
afraid"
Desmond noticed the plural "You
are not alone, then?" he said, with a
quick glance around the room.
.By no means. I have few friends
here" He touched bell as he spoke,
and four men entered the room. The
detective was startled, but he did not
show it.
Phillips burst into a laugh. "Draw
your chair up to the table and take a
cigar" said he.
The others all proceeded to make
themselves comfortable, so the detec.
tive decided to do likewise; so far as
he could see there was at present no
cause for alarm.
"Now, sir" began Phillips, II must
tell you, first of all, that you are not
required to lolve any real case OF
mine. and Mr.. Smithson have made
bet regarding you. We were talk.
ing the other day about the Working.
ham affair, and as I said you had
found the truth very cleverly, he re
marked that circumstances were
greatly in your favor We began to
argue, with this result. We have i'm
agined case and wish you to solve
it. We shall tell you story and act
part of it. If you succeed in proving
to our satisfaction who the murderer
is-for the case is one of murder
you will receive the sum of 100 II
you fail, you will receive G 10 for your
trouble, What have you to say?"
81 do not like being made the sub.
ject of a bet." said Desmond.
"You must go in for it, put in Yer
non. The almost pleading tone caused
the detective to look more closely at
his pale, thin features.
VERY well. then, agree" said he
and, his eyes still upon the others
face, he thought an expression of re.
lief crossed it,
''Thank you,"' said Phillips. sWe
will start right away. 1t has been de-
cided that tell the first portion OF
the story. Last night and Lovely
there entered this house at. ten
o'clock. I called Smithson up from
his chemical laboratory in the base
ment, and Walters from his portion
of the house, and we awaited the ap.
pearance of Vernon and Jackson
But as these two failed to come after
ten minutes had passed we all went
upstairs to Jackson's room. There a
dreadful sight met our gaze. He was
lying dead upon the floor, and close
by was Vernon, just recovering oon-
seiousness.
ut was plain that jackson had been
murdered, and all things pointed to
Vernon as the one who had done the
dastardly deed. He had been stabbed
by the latter's knifel We formed the
idea that he himself had been knocked
senseless by blow upon the head,
dealt by the dying man in supreme
final effort. We charged Vernon with
the crime, and he denied it, but you
shall hear his explanation from his
own lips, Mr.. Desmond
"At nine o'clock" began Vernon,
trying to keep his voice steady, II
entered the house at the front and
proceeded straight upstairs to jack
sons room, having to see him upon q
purely private matter. There was no
one about that could see; indeed,
everything was so quiet when j
opened the door that thought Jack.
son himself must be out. But as ]
went inside quick footstep sounded
behind me. was about to turn when