The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-08-26

---
III.
Judge Marcellus wis In Q discursive
mood, one evening, o few weeks later,
when he called to see how the good people
at the old Lansha~ home wore progressing
At least II seemed 90 to Edward Barbauld
and Ruth Angel, 40 they exchanged glances,
vexed and amused, over his resemblance
to Tennyson's brook.
Margaret Lanshaw, however, looked
gratefully toward the old lawyer, who
addressed his chat to her as II be realized
that for days she had felt like o stranger
In her own land and among those who
should love her.
Perhaps the Judge did realize IL, for he
had a way Of putting n and one together
that was creditable to his sight and in
sight. At least he saw that the girl was
worn and anxious beyond the settled grief
OF bereavement. So be Yves glad to hold
her, attention while waiting for that which
would hold the attention Of all.
The Judge talked OF hs experiences,
true to his own time, the past; Of the cele-
brated cases with which he had been con-
:, nected and the number Of them that had
been determined by the logic Of inanimate
things. .
II sometimes think be said, shat crime
must be omnisoient In order TO DO success
full. And It won't be successful then.
either he added whimsically, 'for It will
know better
Il see what you mean.' replied Margaret.
Had not that unknown striker been too
ignorant to care he would not have fired
the wanton shot that killed my brother
1T was ignorance Of conditions rather
than consequences to which I REFERRED
explained the Judge gently. 'For instance,
q man might be absolutely safe in stealing
the Kohinoor, yet II he offered It for sale
! In any part Of the civilized world he would
be apprehended.'
mot II he knew enough to have It cut up
into small ~stones.' interrupted Barbauld
scornfully.
Oddly enough Miss Angel seemed to
take this break from her own side ak in
Ill part. There was genuine alarm in her
pretty eyes as she laid her hand furtively
on his arm.
'True,' responded the Judge, wheeling
about as II to o challenge, "but even the
the man who cut II up would know. How
ever, l will take q less conspicuous instance.
Suppose q ten thousand bill had been stolen
instead Of the Kohinoor. What then2'
at could be changed
"Yes: and II q gold certificate. without
especial remark. But suppose 1t was a
United States note, q ~greenbackf'
At don't know about such distinctions
said Barbauld uneasily. AN bills look
alike to me-
MIR. Barbauld, Mr.. Rarbauld.' cried
Miss Angel starting agitatedly, will you
be 80 kind as to fetch me a glass Of water2'
And her eyes said far moro.
wait q minutei' Numbered the Judge.
Then you in your ignorance would be In
the same case as the thief who stole the
| Kohinoor. Know that there Is only one
ten thousand dollar United States note.
or greenback, in circulation. 1t Is alb.
solutely unique. II offered for change
as you suggest, II would attract immediate
attention to the ono Offering II
aMr. Barbauldi Ned, oh, Nedi' again
cried Miss Angel, oblvious Of the look
Of amusement, horror, contempt on Mar
garet's face.
ITO be sure. the glass Of water. 7 will
40 at once muttered Barbauld. starting
forward.
As he opened the door Abs Cronkite
entered and laid q heavy hand on his
| shoulder.
Il arrest you. Barbauh,' be said, for
theft and murder
Nv.
Though livid and tremulous. Barbauld
did not lose his efrontery. He stepped
back, Strengthening his collar. He resumed
his seat.
"You and your man had best be careful
Of your facts" be said ooolly to the Judge.
AT worst this is a family affair
Margaret Lanshaw stood before the
Judge, once more a statue Of tragic woe.
YES, I must know FIRST she breathed.
sDon't you see I must
Go ahead, Cronkite,' said the Judge
tersely.
.The ten thousand dollar g~reenbaok was
deposited this morning by MI. Barbauld at
the Argent Trust, sir. There's ar article In
the evening paper about its appearing
again
ever possessed it9' demanded Barbauld
incsutiously.
who said anything about Mr.. Lam
shaw, sir? But, In fsot, he had carried that
identical bill In his pocketcase for years;
for so long a time that the shape Of the en-
velope, the fold Of the bill, and even the
bills vignette and lettering could be dis
cerned with a glass impressed on the soft,
damp interior lining OF the oase--'
The bill might have come into my pos
session innocently,' persisted Barbauld.
Il am a man Of means. l just said I knew
nothing about such Distinctions
If you hadn't made the payments you
did to-day you would have been arrested
for Fraud continued the pitiess Cronkite.
'You have been in desperate straits for
weeks Innocent possessionS YOU shot
your friend Frank down like q dog when he
went after the envelope, which you had
foolishly neglected to take also. You tore
up the envelope as you fed over the veranda
roof, stufing the bits in your pocket. all
but one, which I found, as I afterward found
the others. We beguiled you with our talk
knowing you were list ening-and that's
how you thought you could use the bill
with impunity.'
This is a vile conspiracy, Margaret. . the
wretched man pleaded. How could I
Ekl-- .>t-- 80 I~1a lAAA9