Morris tribune., 1905-07-08

dainty form about Tie house and tc
hear the sdAnd Of her voice"
WELL" said l, you call that love
ME-. Carruthers, but 1 should call il
selfshness."
Maybe the two things go together
Anyhow, l couldn't let her go. Be.
sides, with this crowd about it was
we'll that she should have some one
near to look after her. Then, when the
cable came, l knew they were bound
| to make a move"
"What cableY'
Carruthers took a telegram from his
pocket
'"That's it," said he.
1t was short and concise:
''The old man is dead"
"Humw said Holmes. 81 think / see
how things WORKED and 1 can under
stand how this message would, as you
say, bring them to head. But while
you wait you might tell me what YOU
can"
The old reprobate with the surplice
burst into a volley of bad language.
"By heaven" said he, eff you squeal
ON us, Bob Carruthers, I'll serve you as
you served Jack Woodley! You can
bleat about the girl to your hearts
content, for that's your own affair, but
If you round on your pals to this plain
clothes copper it will be the worst
days work that ever you did"
"Your reverence need not be excit-
ed" said Holmes, lighting cigarette
1.-THE case is clear enough against you,
and all I ask is few details for my
private curiosity. However, if there's
any difficulty in your telling me I'll do
the talking, and then you will see how
far you have chance of holding back
your secrets. In the first place, three
Of you came from South Africa on this
game-you, Williamson; you, Carruth-
ers, and Woodley."
"Lie number one" said the old man.
II never saw either Of them until two
months ago, and l have never been in
Africa in my life, SO you can put that
in your pipe and smoke it, Mr.. Busy
body Holiness
What he says is true" said Car
ruthers.
"Well, well, two of you came over.
His reverence is our own homemade
article You had known Ralph Smith
in South Africa. You had reason to
believe he would not live long. You
found out that his niece would inherit
his fortune. How's that-eh?"
Carruthers nodded and Williamson
swore
"She was next of kin, no doubt, and
you were aware that the old fellow
would make no will"
Couldn't read or WRITE" said Car
ruthers.
$50 you came over, the two Of you,
and hunted up the girl. The idea was
that one Of you was to marry her and
the other have a share Of the plumber.
For some reason Woodley was chosen
as the husband. Why was that?'
1--WE played cards for her ON the
voyage. He Won"
Il see. You got the young lady into
your service, and there Woodley was
to do the counting. She recognized the |
drunken brute that he was and would
nave nothing to do with him. Mean
while your arrangement was rather up |
let by the fact that you had yourself |
ALLEN in love with the lady. You
could no longer bear the idea Of this |
'uffian owning herr"
"No, by George, couldn'tv'
There was a quarrel between you
7e left you in a rage and began to
make his own plans Independently Of
'ou."
ut strikes me, Williamson, there
sn't very much that we can tell this
,entleman," cried Carruthers, with a
litter laugh. Eyes, we quarreled, and
e knocked me down. I am level with
i'm on that, anyhow Then lost sight
f him. That was when he picked up
With this cast padre here. | found
hat they had set up housekeeping to-
ether at this place on the line that
he had to pass for the station.
ept my eye on her after that, for l
new there was some devilry in the
7ind I saw them from time to time,
or I was anxious to know what they
we're after.
1.-TWO days ago Woodley came up to
~ house with this cable, which show
d that Ralph Smith was dead. He ask
d me if would stand by the bargain.
said l would not He asked me if l
vould marry the girl myself and give
i'm share I said I would willingly