Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-03


that the original seller had been Cap
tain Peter Carey, the owner Of this
hut. -
Naturally. l made some inquiries
about the man. found that he had
been in command OF whaler which
was due TO return from the arctic seas
ut the very time when my father was
crossing 10 Norway. The autumn OF
that year was stormy one. and there
was Il long succession of SOutherly
gales. My fathers yacht may well
have been blown 10 the north and there
met by Captain Peter Carey's ship. If
that were 50. what had become of my
father: In any case, if 1 could prove
from Peter Carey's evidence how these
securities came on the market II would
be proof that my father had rot sold
them aud that he had no view TO per-
sonal profit when he took them.
Il came down TO Sussex with the in
tention OF seeing the captain, but it
was at this mement that his terrible
death occurred. ( read ut the inquest
4 description of his cabin. in which il
stated that the old IogboOks of his YES
sci were preserved in il. IL struck me
that if I could see what occurred in the
month of August. 1888. on board the
Sea Unicorn might settle the mystery
of my fathers fate. I tried last night
to get at these logbooks. but was una
BILE 10 open the door. Tonight | tried
again and succeeded. but i find that the
pages which deal with that month have
been torn FROM the book. 1t was at that
moment found myself prisoner in
your hands,
els that all:" asked Hopkins.
Yes that is all" His eyes shifted as
he said il.
You have nothing else to tell u.s."
He hesitRted.
NO. there is nothing"
You have not been here before last
nght?r
's\O'
Then how do you account for that"
cried Hopkins. as he held mp the damn
ing notebook, with the initials of our
prisoner on the first leaf and the blood
stain on the cover.
The wretched man collapsed. He
sank his face in his hands and trem-
bled all over.
Where did you get itE' he groaned-
Il did not know. l thought had lost
il at the hotel"
THAT is enough" said Hopkins stern
Iy. Whatever else you have to say.
you must say in court. You will walk
down with me now to the police sta
ton. Well. Mr. Holmes, | am very
much obliged TO you and TO your friend
for coming down to help me. As it
turns out, your presence was unnec-
Sary, and l would have brought the
case to this successful issue without
you; but. none the less. am grateful.
Rooms have been reserved for you at
the Brambletye hotel, so we can all
walk down TO the village together"
"Well, Watson. what do you think OF
itE' asked Holmes as we Travelled back
next morning.
81 can see that you are not salts
fed"
"Oh. yes. my dear Watson; l am per
fectly satisfied At the same time.
Stanley Hopkins methods do not com
mend themselves TO me. | am disap-
pointed in Stanley Hopkins. l had
hoped for better things from him. One
should always look for a possible al
tentative and provide against ii. 1t IS
the first rule of criminal investiga-
ton
What, then. is the alternative
The line of investigation which
have myself been pursuing. 1t may
give us nothing. 1 cannot tell. But at
least | shall follow il 10 the end
Several letters were waiting for
Holmes at Baker street. He snatched
one of them up. opened IL and burst
out into a triumphant chuckle of laugh
ter.
Excellent. Watson, The alternative
develops. Have yOu telegraph forms?
Just write a couple of messages for
me: Sumner. shipping agent, Ratclin
highway Send three men on to arrive
10 tomorrow morning. Basil That's
my name in those parts. The other is:
Inspector Stanley Hopkins, 40 Lord
street. Brixton. Come breakfast to-
morrow at $50. Important. Wire il
unable to come. Sherlock Holmes
There, Watson, this internal case has
haunted me for ten days. l hereby
Danish it completely from my presence.
Tomorrow l trust that we shall hear
the last OF 1t forever"
Sharp at the hour named Inspector
Stanley Hopkins appeared, and we sat
down together to the excellent break
fast which Mrs. Hudson had prepared.
The young detective was In high spir-
it's at his success.
You really think that your solution
must be correct z" asked Holmes.
II could not Imagine a more complete
ease"
1T did not seem to me conclusive"
"You astonish me, Mr.. Holmes.
What more could one ask for?'
Does your explanation cover every
point?''
Undoubtedly. / find that young Nell
gan arrived at the BrambIetye hotel on
the very day OF the crime. He came on
the pretense OF playing golf. His room
was on the ground floor. aud he could
get out when he liked That very night
he went down to Woodlands Lee. saw
Peter Carey at the hut, quarreIed with
him. and killed him with the harpoon.
4. n Il.