Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-22

met me and fell into talk about the ways
of thieves. ana how they could get rid of
what they stole. l knew that he would be
true to me. for / knew one two things
about him: SO / made up my mind TO go
right on to Kilburn, where he lived. and
take him into my confidence He would
show me how to turn the stone into money
But how to get to him in safety? thought
or the agenies had gone through In COM
ing from the hotel. I might at any mo-
ment be seized and searched. and there
would be the stone in my waistcoat pocket
was leaning against the wall at the time,
and looking at the geese which were wad-
ding about round my feet. and suddenly
al idea came into my head which showed
me how could beat the best detective that
ever lived.
my sister had told me some weeks be-
fore that l might have the pick of her
geese for Christmas present, and knew
that she was always good her word.
would take my goose now. and in IL L
would carry my stone to Kflburn. There
was little shed in the yard and behind
this / drove one of the birds-a fine. big
one. white. with barred tail j caught 1t
and prying its bill open. l thrust the stone
down its throat as far as my finger could
reach The bird gave a gulp. and ] felt
the stone pass along its gullet and down
into its crop But the creature Tapped and
| struggled, and out came my sister TO know
what was the matter. AS turned to speak
to her the brute broke loose and futtered
OFF among the others.
Whatever were you doing with that
bird. Jem?' says she.
well said L, you said you'd give me
one for Christmas and ! was feeling which
was the latest
:. oh. says she. we've set yours aside for
you-Jem's bird. we call 1T. It's the big
white one over yonder There's twenty-six
OF them. which makes one for you, one for
US and two dozen for the market
THANK you. Maggie, says 1: but II II
is all the same to you, I'd rather have that
one l handling just now
1.-THE her is good three pound heaN-
ier,' said she, and We fattened 1t expressly
for you
I'll take 1t now, said 1.
"'Oh. just as you like said she. little
| hsffed. Which is it you want then?
4" That white one with the barred TAIL
right In the middle of the flock.
''Oh, very we'll. XIII 1t and take IT with
you
well, 1 did what she said. Mr.. Holmes.
and / carried the bird all the way to Kill
| burn. told my pal what had done, for he
was a man that it was easy to tell thing
like that to. He laughed until he choked,
and we got knife and opened the goose
My heart turned to water, for there was
no sign of the stone and l knew that some
terrible mistake had occurred. l left the
bird rushed back to my sisters. and hur-
red into the back yard. There was not
bird to be here.
Where are they all. Maggieg l cried.
leone to the dealers. Jem.'
(Which dealer's?'
" breckenridge of Covent Garden
But was there another with a barred
tail?' / asked. the same as the one |
choseY
Eyes, Jem; there were two barrett tailed
| ones and could never tell them apart
well, then. of course I saw 1t all, and
1 ran off as hard as my feet would carry
me to this man Breckenridge; but he had
sold the lot at once, and not one word
would he tell me as to where they had
gone. You heard him yourselves tonight.
Well he has always answered me like that.
My sister thinks that I am going mad.
Sometimes l think that | am myself And
now-and now am myself branded thief,
without ever having touched the wealth for
which l sold my character. God help me!
God help me.' He burst into convulsive
| sobbing, with his face buried in his hands.
There was long silence. broken only by
| his heavy breathing and by the measured
tapping of Sherlock Holmes finger-tips
upon the edge of the table. Then my friend
rose and threw open the door.
Get Quit! said he.
What sir! Oh. heaven bless you"
mo more words. Get outw
And no more words were needed. There
was rush, clatter upon the stairs. the
bang of a door and the crisp rattle of
running footballs from the street
after all, Watson" said Holmes, reach
ing up his hand for his lay pipe, Il am
not retained by the police to supply their
deficiencies. If Horner were in danger IL
would be another thing; but this fellow
Will not appear against him, and the ca Sc
| must collapse. / suppose that I am COM
| hurting felony. but it is just possible that
am saving a soul. This fellow viii not
| go wrong again; he is too terribly fright
ened. Send him to Jail now. and you make
him jail bird for life. Besdes.-it is the
season of forgiveness. Chance has put I'm
our way a most singular and whimsical
problem, and its solution is it's own reward
VI you will have the goodness to t5aIch
the bell. doctor, we will begin another
investigation. in which, also, a bird will
be the chief feature