Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-09-23


quite SO. You have got an admira.
bic theory. ! have 30 doubt that my
own ideas were quite Wild. but you
must admit thar they have ended in
discovering the silver"
Eyes. sir-yes. To was an your doing.
But have had a bad setback"
"A setback"
ayes. Nir Holmes. The Randall gang
Were arrested in New York this morn
ing"
Dear me- Hopkins that is certainly
rather against your theorr that thev
committed a murder iu Kent last
night"
1T IS fatal Mr.. Holmes-absolutely
fatal still there are other gangs OF
three besides the Raudalis. or IL may
be some new gang OF which the police
have never heard
quite so. Il is perfectly possible
What are you oGF"
yes. SIT Holmes. There IS no rest
FOR me until 7 have got 70 the bottom
or the business. 1 suppose you have
no hinr 90 give meF"
Il have given you one"
"Whchr"
well ! suggested q blind"
"But why. DIT. Holmes-why2"
"Ah. that's the question. OF course.
But I commend the idea TO your
mind You might possibly end that
there was something in &C. You won't
stop for dinner; Well g0odby. aud
let us know how you get on"
Dinner was over and the table clear
ed before Holmes alluded 10 the matter
again He had lit his pipe and held his
slippered feet 60 the cheerful blaze OF
the FIRE. Suddenly he looked az bis
watch
q expect developments. Watson"
When
"Now-within few minutes. 7 dare
say you thought I acted rather badly
70 Stanley Hopkins just now"
81 trust your Judgment
"a very sensible reply. Watson. You
must look at DO This way: What 7 know
Is unofficial; what he knows is official
I have the right 90 private Judgment.
hut Pc has none Ue must "a scIose an
or Doe is q ra.t1- CD his service. In q
doubtful case would not put Lim iu
So painful a position. ana SD 7 reserve
my Information until my own mul IS
clear upon Che natter"
"But when SSH. that bog"
"The time has come You viii now
De present at the last scene OF q re
uarkalle little drama"
There was q sound upon the stairs.
and our door was opened Co admit as
fine a s,-e.meu of manhood as ever
passed Through d. Tie was very tall
young man. golden mustached. blue
eyed. with skin which had been burn
ed by tropical suns. ami sp-'Dgy step
which showed chat the huge frame was
as active as 10 was strong he closed
the door behind him. and then he stood
with clinchcd hands and heaving
breast choking down some overmaster-
Ing emotion.
"Sit down. Captain Croker. You
got my telegram
Our visitor sank into an armchair
and looked from one 20 the other OF MS
with questioning eyes.
81 Eot your Telegram. and 7 came az
the hour you said. I heard thar You
had been down to the office There
was no getting away from YOU. Let's
hear the worst What are You going 10
do with me2 Arrest meg Speak out
man, You can't sit there and play
with me Ike cat with a mouse"
Give him cigar" said Holmes.
"Bite on that. Captain Croker. and
don't let your nerves run away with
you. ! should Lot SIT here smoking
with you 20 I thought that YOU were a
common criminal you may De- sure OF
that BE frank with noe. and we may
do some good. Play tricks with me-
and I'll crush YOU"
what do you wish me % dor'
''Io give me true account OF all
that happened az the Abbey Grange
last nicht-a true account. mind YOU.
with nothing added and nothing taken
OF. I know So much already that II
you 80 ono inch on the straight I'll
blow this police whistle from my win
dow, and the AFFAIR goes out OF my
lands forever"
The sailor thought Tor n little Then
he struck his leg with his great sun
burned hand.
"TH chance It." De cried. Il believe
you are a man OF your word and
white man, and I'm tell you the whole
story. But one thing j will say FIRST
So far as i am concerned / regret
nothing and ] fear nothing. and I
would do Il all again and be proud or
the job. Damn the beast ~ be had as
many lives as cat he would owe them
all 10 me, But it's the lady. Mary
Mary Fraser-for never VIII cali her
by that accursel name. When I think
OF getting her into trouble. I who would
give my life just 10 bring one smile 20
her dear face. it's that that turns my
soul into water. And yet-and yet
what less could doF I'll tell you my
story, gentlemen. and then Tn ask you.
as man 10 man. what less could do.
II must 90 back bit You seem 10
know erything, so / expect that you
know that ] met her when she was
passenger and l was first officer OF the
Rock OF Gibraltar From the first day
/ met her she was the only woman 70
me. Every day OF that voyage loved
her more, and many time since have
I kneeled down in the darkness OF the
night watch and kissed the deck OF
that ship because / knew her dear feet
had trod IL She was neVar an ocyal "a.