Sunday Washington globe., 1902-03-16
BENEDICT GORDON.
[writteu for the SUNDAY GLoBE.l
81 REVERE RODGERS.
cHAPTER Xxx


filed with the good things from out OF the
kitchen, and soon the guests were all assem-
bled about tie groaning board, aud seemed
as IL prepared to do Justice to their morning
meal
. Mrs. Bobbin, as a sort Of female master of
a ceremonies, superintended the whole affair,
N receiving the different viands and dishes
from the servants hands and distributing the
same with peculiar uicety just where and
when they were needed With a carving
knife she was also very much at home ana
upon the whole there were many ooardlng
house keepers far less dexterous IN tue
management of the same than was MIS-
Bobbin
''Oh, by the way, Iollyby. what was ever
done towards capturing those fellows con-
uected with that Allwine AFFAIR." lazuy IN
nuired Mr.. Horatio Perkins Everything
has been done towards capturing them"
answered Mr.. Jollyby, but up to the pres
ent moment we are as far from accomplish
ino that purpose as we were an hour after
the murder was committed.
"Of what use then is 1t to have police
foyce if they cannot catch the criminals
after a crime has been committed" an
orilv inquired Mr. John c. Beall, glaneiug
sro1nd the table as if to offer a challenge to
anvoue there, to come out aud meet him in
an argument upon the subject
Mr. Perkins having considered the matter
fora little while, and perhaps taking note
h of the fact that the conversation was likely
Ato die out from lack of argument to keep 1t
alive now came to the rescue WITH the roll
Flowing brilliant observation, that "damme
Y Beall, you may be right, but think that
W Won do those fellows an injustice. Ban
NJ love do" he added, slipping his coffee
ali az Nrg uNt T.
sarv Now for some nexplicable reason,
Horatio S. Perkins, whether Intentionally
upinteutionally, never saw fit to take the
side espoused by John c. Beall in any OF the
discussions which would very often arise al
Bobbins' his failure to do so was often
the means of working that irate gentleman
mn to the boiling over pitch and IN the pres
emf instance, Horatio's objection to Beall's
criticism of the police caused the latter
gentleman to flush augrilY and to reply
sarcasucally
"Siuce YOU appear to have formed an en-
tirelv different opinion of the police force
than have the greater majority Of the citi-
zens of this town, perhaps you may coude-
scend to enlighteu those Of US who have
grave doubts of the efficiency of that well
paid, though-in our estimapon-useless
body of menP" cried Mr. Beall rapping
angrily on the table, as if 10 emphasize mis-
remarks.
In nv opinion, (" said Dawson, ,pausing in
the act of raising his spoon sroon, Mr. Beall
is entirely right, his opinions are identical
to the ones have expressed upon several
occasions since that affair mp at the Allwine
place"
II heartily endorse the statement made
bv nv friend. " chimed in Golden, as
have frequently heard him voice the self
same opinions as Just now uttered by MIR.
Beal. might also state for the benefit OF
the present company that yours truly is
possessed of the same convictions also"
II is doubtful whether Mr.. Beali was
altogether pleased with having two such
gentlemen as Dawson aud Golden TO sup
port him in his assertions, for these two
disciples of the healing art occupied but a
doubtful standing at Bobbns. For several
reasons not the least either in Mrs Bob
bins opinion was their failure at times to
promptly settle for their board aud lodging,
and when they so readily expressed them
selves in favor of Mr. Beall's side Of the
argument that impetuous person eyed them
steruly and with a suspicious glare.
"Ohl don't know anything particularly
good or bad about the police, said Horatio,
seeming to lose all interest in the discus
sion. II merely wished to put in good
word for the poor devils who seem to have
the whole town down on 'em because OF
their inability to capture the chaps who
murdered old Allwine." !"
"Aud why shouldn't the town be down on
them, angrily retorted Beall
And why shoNld the town be down on
themP" inquired Mr.. Jollyby
Because they have not apprehended the
murderers that is why" answered Beal
sharply.
but there is reason in all things" goud
q. humoredly replied JOllyby, and while Il
may take some time to catch those fellows
still am pretty ueahy certain that they
will at last be made TO suffer for what they
have done, aud you must remember that 4
has been but a comparatively short tim'
since the murder was co4umitted, F" he added
Never will catch them. No sir never
said Silas Beddoe, who invariably seconded
whatever opinion John c. Beall advocated
and il mightbe we'll to state here that tn,
last named gentleman always coincideC
with whatever statement Mr. Beddoe ad
vanced, so it seemed as il the two were in
some sort Of an alliance against the rest o.
the house
"Oh, that's merely the opinion OF one
man." yawued HOratio, in answer to Mr.
Beddoe's assertion "and can only carry
just 50 much weight, you know"
II prefer not to argue this matter any
farther" testify replied Silas, as aside
from its being decidedly distasteful sub
iect to converse on at a breakfast table, i
appears to be also the means by which gen
tlemen OF recognized respectabilty are sub
jected to er-er-mauY petty anuoyauces b.
men much younger in every way thar
themselves" added Mr.. Beddoe with az
angry snarl.
Gould 1 trouble you, Mrs Bobbin, 70
that vinegar" asked Silas, after he hac
waited few seconds as if expecting some
one to reply to him. mo, nop he hastily
cried, as Horatio Perkins attempted [,
grasp the handle Of the receptacle contain
ing the vinegar II beg of you to allow Mrs
Bobbin to pass il, as am not desirOus o
nj incurring any needless obligations" h,
added, glaring angrly at the selfsatis6eC
Homdo, upon whom sneers, innuendoes anC
sarcasm made not the slightest impression