The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-03-25

Could it be possible that after all be
heard a voice whisper:
"Mynheer Joe, awake-danger"
"They have gone but are not forgot.
ten." murmurs Grimes, humorously.
"You saw them, them" asks Joe,
quickly.
'Well, rather" replies the other,
chuckling; "and if that last fellow
don't feel sore tomorrow, I'm mista-
ken in my guess"
Il hope he Wilt may lead to iden-
tify the rascal. Mr.. Grimes:"
Yes"
"Was it you who warned me-"
II whispered through crack in the
wall in about the spot where be-
lieved your bed to be-
"a thousand thanks, my dear sir.
When awoke 1 hardly knew whether
1 had dreamed it or not. Then my
eye caught the fellows head at the
window. I waited until he crawled
in and then doubled both up together"
Very neatly done, sir, must say.
These rascalIy thieves are very daring
just at present"
Il have been thinking it over and
had about come to the conclusion that
these fellows were bent upon some
thing else.'
"Eh! You mean murder? That they
are some of the Mahdrs followers or
spies, determined to have vengeance
On you for the part you took at khar-
toom:" says Mr.. Grimes.
Perhaps so. Are you dressed, STRIP
Partially so. couldn't sleep and
was looking out of the window from
an easy chair when I heard a noise
and caught sight of the sly rascals
climbing up the wall like a couple Of
monkeys. I was puzzled at first how
to warn you, and only hit upon that
little scheme as a happy thought Glad
to know it worked so WE'LL
would you mind coming into my
room?"
Not at ALL" responds the pseudo sill
yer king, cheerfully. Il am always
at the service of my friends, and par
ticularly Mynheer joe"
II want to investigate something
think I've got a clew to a still dark
ar piece of business"
Good for you, my boy!"
Mr. Grimes's head vanishes from the
window. When. few minutes later,
he opens the door of Joe's room,
which the latter has unfastencd. he
iuds that worthy has lighted lamp,
with which the room is fortunately
provided in place of the ordinary cau-
lie.
Mynhcer Joe seems to be bending
low. as ii examining something on the
door. Has the man upon whom lie
bounced been wounded, and docs Joe
think he can learn anything from the
stains left behind
AS Mr.. Grimes bends over his shout
der he makes Il discovery that forces
an exclamation from his lips. Upon
the floor can be seen the fragments of
a small vial that has evidently been
shattered by some violent concussion.
This. in itself. is not what wrenches
that cry from the detective. He sees
the mating covering the floor discol-
ored and eaten into by some power
full agent.
What DO you say:' asks Joe. sol
EMMY.
Mr. Grimes rubs one finger over
the ruined mating and feels the re-
suit almost Immediately.
There can be no question about the
nature of that acid" he replies, and
his whole manner is sober, as though
he realizes the extreme gravity OF the
situation.
Mynheer Joe Rods his head.
1T is the proof l was looking for.
Ny suspicious now have Il double
foundation | no longer gropc in the
dark see"
"Cae thing is as evident to me as the
nose on your face. You have foe
who would hesitate at nothing in or
der to gain revenge. A fiend in mortal
shape for whom the fortunes of the
Inquisition would be too good.'
Exactly. You understand. this par
" does not seek my death. but would
make me h'deous object for life,
from whom women. and one woman
in particular. must turn with shudder-
ing horror"
Good heavens. Joe. can you mean
it,"
Docs not the evidence point that
way. The one woman to whom /
have reference-let me be plain in
this-is Molly Tanner Who is it hates
me because she smiles on me. You,
yourself. told me this baron was Il
human fiend who had fought numer.
Gus duels and who looked upon the
lives of his fellows as mere stepping
stones by means of which he could
climb upward"'
Perhaps you are right SIR says
Grimes. refiectively.
He cannot quite come TO the conyic-
ton that a white man could be guilty
of such dastardly piece of business.
And l grow more positive of it
with every breath that l draw. have
not yet told you of the first cause Tor