Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-01-16

again. Then she would meet me no
more. But the other day had no.
tice that was to start on my voyage
within week, and l determined that
would see her once before left.
Theresa was always my friend, for she
loved Mary and hated this villain al
most as much as I did. From her 1
learned the ways Of the house. Mary
used to sit up reading In her own little
room downstairs. l crept round there
last night and scratched at the win
dow. At first she would not open to
me, but in her heart l know that now
she loves me, and she could not leave
me in the frosty night. She whispered
to me to come round to the big front
window, and ! found it open before
me, so as to let me into the dining
room. Again 1 heard from her own
lips things that made my blood boil,
and again cursed this brute who mis-
handled the woman I loved. Well,
gentlemen, was standing with her
Just inside the window, in all inno-
cence, as God is my judge, when he
rushed like mailman into the room,
called her the vilest name that man
could use to a woman and welted her
across the face with the stick he had
in his hand. had sprung for the
poker, and it was fair fight between
us. See here on my arm where his first
blow fell. Then it was my turn, and
went through him as If he had been
rotten pumpkin.
"She had screamed when he struck
her, and that brought old Theresa
down from the room above. There
was bottle of wine on the sideboard,
and opened it and poured a little be-
tween Mary's lips, for she was half
dead with shock. Then took drop
myself. Theresa was as cool as ice,
and 1t was her plot as much as mine.
We must make it appear that burglars
had done the thing. Theresa kept on
repeating our story to her mistress
while I swarmed up and cut the rope
Of the bell. Then dashed her in her
chair and frayed out the end of the
rope to make 1t look natural, else they
would wonder how in the world bur-
glar could have got up there to cut it.
Then gathered up a few plates and
pots Of silver to carry out the idea Of
the robbery, and there left them,
with orders to give the alarm when I
had quarter Of an hours start. I
dropped the silver into the pond and
made for Sydenham. And that's the
truth and the whole truth, Mr.. Holmes,
uto y,,u v,nolx
Holmes smoked for some time in 81
lence; then he crossed the room and
shook our visitor by the hand.
That's what think" said he. II
know that every word is true, for you
have hardly said word which did
not know. No one but an acrobat OF
a sailor could have got up to that bell
rope from the bracket, and no one but
a sailor could have made the knots
with which the cord was fastened to
the chair. Only once had this lady
been brought into contact with sailors
and that was on her voyage. and It was
some one Of her own class Of life. since
she was trying hard to shield him and
30 showing that she loved him. You
see how easy it was for me to lay my
hands upon you when once had start
! ed upon the right trail"
II thought the police never could
have seen through our dodge"
"And the police haven't, nor will
they, to the best Of my belief. Now
look here, Captain Crocker, this is a
very serious matter, though am will
ing to admit that you acted under the
most extreme provocation to which any
man could be subjected. am not sure
!. that in defense Of your own life your
action will not be pronounced legiti-
mate. However, that is for British
/ jury to decide. Meanwhile have Sc
much sympathy for you that, If you
choose to disappear in the next twenty.
four hours, will promise you that nc
one will hinder you"
"And then it will all come out?'
Certainly it will come out"
The sailor flushed with anger.
"What sort Of proposal is that tc
make man? know enough of law
to understand that Mary would be held
as accomplice. For heavens sake, Mr.
Holmes, find some way Of keeping poor
Mary out Of the courts"
Holmes for second time held out
his hand to the sailor.
II was only testing you, and you ring
true every time. Well, 1t is great re
sponsibility that I take upon myself
but have given Hopkins an excellent
hint, and If he can't avail himself Of Il
can do no more. See here, Captain
Croker, we'll do this in due form Of
lew. You are the prisoner. Watson
you are jury. I am the judge. Now
gentlemen Of the jury, you have heard
the evidence. Do you find the prisoner
guilty or not guilty?"
"Not guilty, my lord" said /.
"Vox populi, vox Del. You are 40
quilted, Captain Croker. So long Al
the law does not find some other vic
tim you are safe from me. Come bacl
30 this lady in a year."
A Modern Miracle.
Truly miraculous seemed the re
covery OF Mrs. Mollie Holt of thi
place." writes J. o. r. Hooper, Wood
ford, Tenn, ssshe was SO wasted b.
coughing up puss from the lungs. Doc
tors declared her end so near that he
20 NJ IN a xnofoIad hu how baI.cid,