Morris tribune., 1905-10-14

| have made the affa1r FAR more dlfHcuit.
| What sort of burglars are they who
steal silver and then throw 1t into the
nearest pond?'
''It was certainly rather eccentric be-
havior I was merely going on the
idea that if the silver had been taken
by persons who did not want it-who
merely took it for blind, as it were
then they would naturally be anxious
to get rid Of it."
''But why should such an idea cross
your mind?"
'Well, 1 thought it was possible
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 a better hiding placer"
'Ah. a hiding place! That is BETTER"
cried Stanley Hopkins. Eyes, yes;
see it all now! 1t was early, there
were folk upon the roads, they were
afraid of being seen with the silver,
so they sank it in the pond, intending
to return for it when the coast was
clear Excellent, Mr.. Holmes! That
is better than your idea of a blind"
''Quite so. You have got an admira-
BILE 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 l have had bad setback"
"a setback?'
eyes, 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 a murder in Kent last
night"
1T is fatal, Mr.. Holmes-absolutel
fatal. Still there are other gangs of
three besides the Randalls, or it may
be some new gang of which the police
have never heard
"Quite So 1t is perfectly possible.
What, are you off,"
eyes, Mr.. Holmes. There is no rest
for me until l have got to the bottom
of the business. I suppose you have
no hint to give me?"
81 have given you one."
''Which?"
"Well, suggested blind"
"But why, Mr.. Holmes-why 2" s..
"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 won't
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 matter
again. He had lit his pipe and held his
slippered feet to the cheerful blaze of
the fire. Suddenly he looked at his
watch.
81 expect developments, Watson"
"When?
"Now-within a few minutes. dare
say you thought l acted rather badly
to Stanley Hopkins just now
81 trust your judgment"
ga very sensible reply, Watson. You
must look at it this way: What know
is unofficial; what he knows is official.
1 have the right to private judgment,
but he has none. He must disclose all
or he is a traitor to his service. In a
doubtful case I would not put him in
so painful a position, and so l reserve
my information until my own mind is
clear upon the matter"
"But when will that be-"
'The time has come. You will now
be present at the last scene of re- |
markable little drama"
There was sound upon the stairs,
and our door was opened to admit as |
fine specimen of manhood as ever
passed through it. He was very tall |
young man, golden mustached, blue
eyed, with skin which had been burn
ed by tropical suns, and springy step |
which showed that the huge frame was |
the door behind him, and then he stood |
with clinched hands and heaving |
breast, choking down some overmaster- |
ing emotion.
''Sit down. Captain Croker. You
got my telegram
and looked from one to the other Of us
with questioning eyes.
81 got your telegram, and came at
the hour you said. | heard that you
had been down to the office. There
was no getting away from you. Let's
hear the worst. What are you going to
DO with me? Arrest me? Speak out.
man! You can't sit there and play
with me like cat with mouse"
'Give him a cigar" said Holmes.
Bite on that, Captain Croker. and
1on't let your nerves run away with
you. should not sit here smoking
with you if I thought that you were
common criminal, you may be sure Of
hat Be frank with me, and we may
10 some good. Play tricks with me.
md I'll crush you
"What do you wish me to do?'
ITO give me true account Of all
hat happened at the Abbey Grange
asst night-a true account, mind you,
With nothing added and nothing taken
,ff. I know so much already that If