The citizen., 1905-08-04

"No: l couldn't do it, Watson" said
he as we re-entered our room. "Once
that warrant was made out nothing on
earth would save him. Once or twice
in my career | feel that | have done
more real harm by my discovery of the
criminal than ever he had done by his
crime. | have learned caution now, and
had rather play tricks with the law of
England than with my own conscience.
Let us know a little more before we
act"
Before evening we had a visit from
Inspector Stanley Hopkins Things
were not going very well with him.
81 believe that you are a wizard, Mr..
Holmes | really do sometimes think
that you have powers that are not hui
man. Now, how on earth could you
know that the stolen silver was at the
bottom of that pond?"
81 didn't know it,
But you told me to examine it."
"You got it, then?"
"Yes. got it."
Il am very glad if | have helped
you"
But YOU haven't helped me- You
have made the affair far more difficult.
What sort Of burglars are they who
steal silver and then throw it into the
nearest pond%'
at was certainly rather eccentric be-
havior. was merely going on the
idea that if the silver had been taken
by persons who did not want it-who
merely tool; it for blind. as it were
then they would naturally he anxious
to get rid Of it,
"But why should such an idea cross
your mind?"
well. 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 better hiding place."
"Ah, hiding place! That is better"
cried Stanley Hopkins. Yes. yes; l
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 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
yes, 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 absolutely
fatal. Still there are other gangs of
three beside 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,"
yes. Mr.. Holmes. There is no rest
for me until have got to the bottom
of the business. l suppose you have
no hint to give me?"
IL have given you one"
"Which?
'Well, suggested blind"
"But why. Mr.. Holmes-whyY
"Ah, that's the question, of course
But l 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 1 acted rather badly
to Stanley Hopkins just now"
~ trust your judgment"
"a very sensible reply, Watson. You
must look at it this way: What l 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 traitor to his service. In a
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 will that be?"
"The time has come. You will now
be present at the last scene of a re-
markable little drama"
There was sound upon the stairs,
and our door was opened to admit as
fine a specimen of manhood as ever
passed through ". He was a very tall
- 81. "a