Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
hawker has with the strange events Of the


far too wary"
But this man slade?" I said. "of late
your inquiries have always been of him.
What is his connection with the affair!
"Ah, that we have yet to discover. He
may have no connection for aught know.
| 1t is mere supposition. based upon log
ical conclusion"
What motive had you in meeting this
man here tonight?' inquired, hoping 10
gather some tangible clue to the reason OF
his cratic movements.
"Ah! that's just the point" he respond
ed. IF this poor fellow had lived he would
have revealed to me secret-we should
have known the truth"
1.-THE TRUTH I gasped "Then at the
very moment when he intended to confess
to you he has been struck down."
Eyes. His lips have been sealed by hts
enemy-and yours. Both are Identical" he
replied, and his lips snapped together In
that peculiar manner that was his habit
I knew 1t was useless to question him fur
| Their.
Indeed, at that moment heavy footsteps
sounded upon the stairs and two con-
stables, conducted by the shuhing old man.
| appeared upon the scene.
I'VE have sent for you" Amber explain
ed. This man is dead-died suddenly. We
| believe
who is he, sir?' inquired the elder Of
| the pair, bending over the PROSTATE man
and taking up the smoky lamp In order 10
examine his features more carefully.
His name Is Lane-a costermonger,
| known to his intimates as Lanky Lane
| The man with you Is one of his friends
and can tell you more about him tnan
cam
| us he dead?" queried the second con-
stable, touching the thin, pallid face.
Certainly" 1 answered. I'm DOCTOR
and have already made examination.
He's been dead some time"
My name and address was taken, to-
gether with that of my companion. When,
however, Amber told the officers his name
both were sisibly impressed. The name of
Jevons was well-known to the police, who
held him in something like awe as a smart
criminal investigator.
II know Inspector Barton at Leman
street-your station, 1 suppose?' he added.
YES sir" responded the first constable.
"And begging your pardon, sir, I'm hon
ored to meet you. We all heard how you
beat the C.. I. department in the Bowery
Square mystery, and how you gave the
without taking any of the credit to your
self. He got all the honor, sir, and your
name didn't appear at the Old Bailey"
Jevons laughed. He was never fond OF
of the ways and methods of criminals, but
only for his own qualification. The police
knew him well, but he hid his light under
the proverbial bushel always.
what is your own opinion of the affair,
sir?" the officer continued, ready to take
his opinion before that of the sergeant of
the criminal investigation department at
tached to his station.
well" said Amber, 'it looks like sud-
den death, doesn't it? Perhaps it's
poison
"Sucide?"
Murder, very possibly" was Jevons'
quiet response.
Then you really think there's mystery,
sir?" exclaimed the constable, quickly.
ut seems suspiciously like one. Let us
search the room. Come along, Ralph he
added, addressing me. "Just lend hand"
There was not much furniture in the
place to search, and before long, with the
aid Of the constables lantern, we had
searched every nook and Granny.
Only one discovery Of note was made,
and it was certainly a strange one
Beneath a loose board near the fireplace
Jevons discovered the dead mans hoard.
1t consisted Of several papers carefully
folded together. We examined them, and
found them to consist of a hawker's
license, receipt for the payment for a
barrow and donkey. post office savings
bank book showing balance Of twenty
six pounds four shillings, and several let
tiers from a correspondent unsigned. They
were typewriter, in order that the hand
that fimsy paper used in commercial Of
fees. All Of them were Of the highest
interest. The first, read aloud by Amber,
ran as follows:
Dear Lane-I have known you a good
many years. and never thought you were
such a fool as to neglect a good thing.
Surely you will reconsider the proposal I
made to you the night before last in the
bar Of the Elephant and Castle. You once
did me a very good turn long ago. and now
am in position to put good remunera-
tive bit of business in your way. Yet you
are timid that all may not turn out well.
Apparently you do not fully recognize the
stake hold in the matter, and the fact
that any exposure would mean ruin to me.
Surely I have far more to lose than you
have. Therefore that, in itself; should be
sufficient guarantee to you. Reconsider
your reply, and give me your decision to-
| morrow night. You will find me in the
saloon bar of the King Lud in Ludgate Hill
at o'clock. Do not speak to me there, but
show yourself, and then wait outside until
I join you. Have a care that you are
not followed. That hawk Amber Jevons
has scent Of us. Therefore. remain dumb
and Watchful. H."
That's curious" remarked. ''Who-
ever wrote that letter was melting Lane
to conspiracy. and at the same time held
you in fear, Amber.
My companion laughed again-a quiet
self-satisfied laugh. Then he commenced
the second letter, typewriter like the first,
but evidently upon another machine
Dear Lane-Your terms seem eXorbi-
tant. 1 quite understand that at least four
or five of you must be in the affair, but
the price asked is ridiculous. Besides. 1
didn't like Benefits tone when he spoke
to me yesterday. He was almost threaten
Ing What have you told him? Recollect
that each of knows something to the
detriment Of the others, and even in these
days of so-called equality the man with
contrive to shut Benefits mouth. Give him
money, If he wants it-up to ten pounds.
But, of course, do not say that 1t comes
from me. You can, of course. pose my
friend, as you have done before. 1 shall be
at the usual place tonight. H."
Looks as though there's been some
blackmailing" one Of the constables re-
marked. who's Bennett?"
IT expect that's Bobby Bennett, who
works in the meat market" replied the
atom Of a man who had accosted us at Aid
gate HE was friend Of Lanky's. and a
bad 'un. I've card say that g 'ad a record
at the Old Bailey"
What for?"
"'Ousebreakin."
'Is he working now7" Amber inquired.
Eyes. I saw i'm in Farrin don street yes
terday."
"Ahv remarked the constable. 1--WE shall
probab bly, want to have a chat with him.
But the chief mystery is the identity of the
writer of these letters. At all events 1t Is
evident that this poor man Lane knew
something to his detriment, and was prob
ably trying to make something out Of that
knowledge"
mot at all an unusual case" / said.
Jevons grunted and appeared to view the
letters with considerable satisfaction. Any
documentary evidence surrounding a case
Of mysterious death Is always Of interest.
In this case, being Of such suspicious
ot,r~n do, hi