The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-07-21

But nave had bad setback"
"A setback =
Yes. Mr. Holmes. The Randall rans
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"
1T IS fatal, Mr.. Holmes-absoiutel
fatal Still there are Other gangs of
three besides the Randans. or it NAV
be some new gang OF which the police
have never heard
quite so. II is perfectly possible
What. are you orr
Yes, Mr.. Holmes There is no rest
for me until ] have got to the bottom
Of the business. suppose you have
no hint to give meT
Il have given you one"
"Whichy
"Wcll. l suggested a blind"
"But why. Mr. Holmes -whyT"
"Ah, that's the question of course.
But commend the idea TO your
mind You might possibly find that
there was something in II. You won't
stop for dinnerl Wen, goodhy, and
let us know how you get on"
Dinner was over and the table clear
cd before Holmes alluded 10 the matter
again. He had lit his plpe and held his
slippered feet to the cheerful blaze OF
the fire. Suddenly he looked at his
watch.
Il expect developments, watson
"When?
Nov within few minutes l dare
say you thought l acted rather badly
to Stanley Hopkins just now.p
Il trust your judgment"
"a very sensible reply. Watson. You
must look at it this way: What know
is unofficial; what he knows Is official
have the right to private judgment
but he has none. He must disclose all
or he Is a traitor % his service. In n
doubtful case | 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 viii that beT'
"The time has come. You will now
be present at the last scene OF a re-
markable little drama"
There was a sound upon the stairs.
and our door was opened to admit as
fine a specimen Of manhood as even
passed through II. He was very tall
young man, golden mustached blue
eyed, with a skin which had been burn,
ed by tropical suns, and a sprlngy step
which showed that the huge frame was
as active as II was strong He closed
the door behind him, and then he stood
with clinched hands and heaving
breast, choking down some overmasser
ing emotion.
"Sit down. Captain Crocker. You
got my telegram"
Our visitor sank into an armchair
and looked from one to the other of us
with questioning eyes
II got your telegram, and I 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 me2 Speak out,
man! You cant sit there and play
with me like a cat with a mouse"
Give him a cigar" said Holmes
Bite on that, Captain Crocker, and
don't let your nerves run away with
you. l should not sit here smoking
with you If thought that you were a
common criminal. you may be sure OF
that BE frank with me, and we may
do some good. Play tricks with me,
and I'll crush you"
"What do you wish me 10 dof"
''ro give me true account OF all
that happened at the Abbey Grange
last nlght-a true account mind you.
with nothing added and nothing taken
off. l know so much already that II
you go one inch of the straight I'll
blow this police whistle from my win
dow and the affair goes out OF my
hands forever"
The sailor thought for little. Then
he struck his leg with his great sun
burned hand.
'I'll chance IT," be cried. II believe
you are a man OF your word and a
white man, and III tell you the whole
story. But one thing l will say first.
So far as I am concerned l regret
nothing and fear nothing, and !
would do 1t all again aud be proud Of
the job. Damn the beast, II he had as
many lives as eat he would owe them
all TO me, But it's the lady, Mary
Mary Fraser-fOr never viii call her
by that accursed name When l think
OF getting her into trouble. who would
give my life just 10 bring one smile TO
her dear face, it's that that turns my
soul into water. And yet-and vet
what less could do? III tell you my
story, gentlemen, and then IN ask you.
as man 10 man, what less could do.
Il must 90 back bit You seem 60
know everything, so ! expect that you
know that ] met her when she was a
passenger and l was first officer Of the
Rock OF Gibraltar From the FIRST day
! met her she was the only woman 10
me Every day OF that voyage loved
her more and many a time since have
] kneeled down In the darkness Of the
night watch and kissed the deck Of
that ship because knew her dear feet
had trOd H. she was never engaged 10
me She treated me as fairly as ever a
woman treated a man. have no com
plaint 20 make IL was al love on my
side and all good comradeshlp and
friendship Oh hers. When we parted
she was free woman, but l could
never again he a free man