Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-10

was 10 take charge or tnelr new snip
the Bass Rock, sailing in two days
time from Southampton. He lived nj
Sydenham, but he was likely to be In
That morning for instructions, IL we
cared to wait for him.
No; Mr.. Holmes had no desire TO see
him, but would he glad to know more
about his record and character.
His record was magnificent There
was not IN officer in the fleet to touch
him. As to his character he was relia.
BILE on duty, but a wild. desperate fei.
low of the deck Of his ship--hot head.
ed, excitable. but loyal. honest and
kind hearted. That was the pth Of the
information with which Holmes left
the Office Of the Adelaldc.S Southampton
company. Thence he drove TO Scotland
Yard hut, instead Of entering. he sat
In his cab with his brows drawn down,
lost in profound thought. Finally he
drove round to the Charing Cross tele.
graph office, sent of a message and
then, at last, we made for Baker street
once more.
mo: 1.couldn't do II. Watson" said
he rs we re.entered our room. "Once
that warrant was made out nothing on
earth would save him. Once or twice
in my career feel that have done
more real harm by my discovery Of the
criminal than ever he had done by his
crime. have learned caution now. and
I had rather play tricks with the law Of
England than with my own conscience.
Let us know a little more before we
act"
Before evening we had visit from
Inspector Stanley Hopkins. Things
were not going very we'll with him.
~ believe that you are wizard. Mr..
Holmes. really do sometimes think
that you have powers that are not hui
man. Now, how on eaAh could you
know that the stolen silver was at the
bottom Of that pond:'
II didn't know IT,"
"But You told me to examine t."
"You got II. then?"
"Yes. got IT,"
II am very glad II have helped
you"
"But you haven't helped me. You
have made the affair far more difficult.
What sort Of burglars are they who
steal silver and then throw it into the
nearest pond:'
"It was certainly rather eccentric be-
havior. was merely going on the
idea that IL the silver had been taken
by persons who did not want it-who
merely took it for a blind as 1t were
then they would naturally be anxious
to get rid Of it,
"Bnt why should such an idea cross
your mind?"
"Well I Thought it was possibla
When they came out through the
French window. there was the pond
with one tempting little hole in the
ice right in front Of their noses. Could
there be better hiding placer
"Ah. hiding place. That ia betterl"
cried Stanley Hopkins. Yes. yes;
see 1t all now. 1t was early. there
were folk upon the roads, they were
afraid OF being seen with the silver.
SO they sank 1t in the pond. intending
to return for 1t when the coast was
clear. Excellent Mr.. Holiness That
IL better than your idea of a blind
"Quite SO. You have got an admira-
bic theory. have no doubt that my
own ideas were quite wild, but you
must admit that they have ended in
discovering the silver"
Eyes. sir-yes. 1t was all your doing.
But have had bad setback"
"A setback"
"Yes, Mr.. Holmes. The Randall gang
were arrested in New York this morn.
ing"
Dear me. Hopkins. that is certainly
rather against your theory that they
committed murder in Kent last
night"
ut Is fatal. Mr.. Holmes bsolutely
fatal. Still there are other gangs of
three besides the Randnlls. or 1t may
be some new gang of whc, the police
have never heard"
quite 40. 1t is perfectly possible.
What. are you OFF,"
Yes. Mr.. Holmes. There is no rest
for me until have got to the bottom
Of the business. I suppose you have
no hint to give me?"
II have given you one"
"Which?"
swell, l suggested blind"
But why. Mr.. Holmes-why;"
"Ah. that's the question. OF course.
But commend the idea to your
mind. You might possibly find that
there was something in it. You went
stop for dinner? Well. goodby. and
let US know how you get on
Dinner was over and the table clear.
ed before Holmes alluded to the mattoI
again. He had lit his pipe and held his
slippered feet to the cheerful blaze Of
the FIRE. Suddenly he looked at hia
watch.
~ expect developments. watson
"When?
"Now-withn n few minutes. dare
say you thought acted rather badly
to Stanley Hopkins Just now"
II trust your judgment"
"A very sensible reply. Watson. YOU
must look at 1t this way: What know
is unofficial; what he knows is official.
I have the right to private Judgment.
but he has none He must disclose all
;. or he ia a traitor to his service. In q
doubtful case l would not put him In
so painful n position, and so reserve
my Information until my own mind 70
, clear upon the matter"
But when will that beT'