Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-29


put him over the rail in the middle
watch Of a dark night two days before
We sighted the Shetland lights.
well. kept my knowledge to my.
self and waited to see what would
come Of It. When we got back to Scot
land 1t was easily hushed up, and no.
body asked any questions. A stranger
died BY accident. and 1t was nobody's
business to inquire. Shortly after Pc.
ter Carey gave up the sea. and 1t was
long years before could find where he
was. I guessed that he had done the
deed for the sake Of what was in that
tin box and that he could afford now
to pay me we'll for keeping my mouth
shut.
Il found out where he was through
q sailor man that had met him in Lon
don, and down l went to squeeze him.
The FIRST night he was reasonable
enough and was ready to give me what
would make me free Of the sea for life.
We were to flx 1t all two nights later.
When I came found him three parts
drunk and in vile temper. We sat
down, and we drank. and we yarncd
about old times. but the more he drank
the less I liked the look ON his face.
I spotted that harpoon upon the wall,
and thought might need it before
was through. Then at last he broke
out at me, splitting and cursing, with
murder in his eyes and a great clasp
knife in his hand He had not time
to get II from the sheath before had
the harpoon through him. Heavens,
what a yell he gave! And his face gets
between me and my sleep. stood
there, with his blood splashing round
me. and waited for bit. but all
was quiet, so l took heart once more.
I looked round. and there was the tin
box on the shelf. had ms much right
to 1t as Peter Carey. anyhow. SO took
It with me and left the hut. Like a
fool. I left my baccy pouch upon the
table.
Now III tell you the queerest part
VI the whole story. I had hardly got
outside the hut when heard some
Sne coming, and hid among the
bushes. A man came sinking along,
went into the hut, gave n cry as If he
Aad seen ghost and legged it as hard
Is be could run until he was out of
tight. Who he was or what he wanted
Is more than I can tell. For my part,
walked ten miles, got train at Tun
bridge Wells. and SO reached London
and no one the wiser.
well. when came to examine the
box found there was no money in 1t
Ind nothing but papers that would
not dare TO sell. had lost my hold
on Black Peter and was stranded in
London without a shilling. There was
only my trade left l saw these ad-
vertisements about harpooners and
high wages, so went to the shipping
agents, and they sent me here. That's
Ill I know. and I say again that II
killed Black Peter the law should give
me thanks. for saved them the price
Of hempen rope"
"A very clear statement" said
Holmes. rising and lighting his pipe.
II think Hopkins. that you should
lose no time in conveying your pris-
oner to place OF safety. This room
is not we'll adapted for cell, and Mr..
Patrick Cairns occupies too large
proportion Of our carpet"
"Mr. Holmes" said Hopkins, II do
mot know how to express my gratitude.
Even now I do not understand how
YOU attained this result"
'Simply by having the good fortune
to get the right clew from the begin.
ming. 1t IL very possible II l had
known about this notebook it might
have led away my thoughts. rs it did
sours. But all l heard pointed in the
one direction. The amazing strength.
the skill in the use Of the harpoon. the
rum and water, the sealskin tobacco
pouch with the coarse tobacco-all
these pointed to seaman and one
who had been whaler. l was con-
WINGED that the initials r. c. upon the
pouch were coincidence and not
smoked and no pipe was found In his
cabin. You remember that asked
whether whisky and brandy were in
the cabin. You said they were. How
many landsnen are there who would
drink rum when they could get these
other spirits? Yes, was certain it
was seaman"
And how did you ind him?"
MY dear sir, the problem had be-
come very simple one. II 1t were
seaman 1t could only he a seaman who
had been with him on the Sea Unicorn.
30 far as ! could learn lie had sailed
IN no other ship. spent three days in
wiring to Dundee, and at the end OF
that time ! had ascertained the names
OF the crew OF the Sea Unicorn In 1888
When l found Patrick Cairns among
the harpooners my research was near
Ing its end. l argued that the man
was probably in London and that he
would desire to leave the country for
time. I therefore spent some days
In the east end, devised an arctic ex.
petition, put forth tempting terms for
harpooners who would serve under
Captain Basil-and behold the result"
Wonderful" cried Hopkins. "Won.
derful!''
"You must obtain the release of
young Neligan as soon as possible"
said Holmes. II confess that I think
you owe him some apology. The tin
box must be returned to him: but, of
course. the securities which Peter Ca
rey has sold are lost forever. There's
the cab, Hopkins. and you can remove
-FOUR man. II you want me for the