Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04

|
poacher believed that his only chance was
present escape
Once free and beyond the immediate and
awful danger Of the moment. Daniel Sweet
land trusted that he might establish his in
nocence and prove the truth. But as a
prisoner on trial. with his present scanty
knowledge, there appeared no shadow OF
hope. He looked up at the man who drove
and instinctively strained the steel that
handcuffed his wrists. Escape seemed a
possibility as remote any miracle.
What be your name. policeman asked
an gentle an I thank you for it,"
I'm called Corder-Alfred Corder-alias
| the Infant That's a joke, you know, be-
cause I'm the biggest man In the foree.
AN so strong syou'm big, by the looks
| of it,
We'll. I've yet to meet my master said
| the huge Infant" He had one little van
| ity, and that was his biceps.
BE you any relation to ALT Corder, the
| champion of Devon wrestling, them
II am the man. said Mr.. Corder. Never
| been throwed since 1 was twenty-five, an
now I'm thirtyfour."
| Daniel nodded.
| "A very famous hero. I should have
thought you'd make more money wrestling
in London than ever you would doing cops
work to Plymouth"
The giant was interested at this intelli-
| gent remark.
not man that moves very quick in mind:
| though 1 can shift my sixteen stone of
carcass fast enough when it comes to
wrestling Or fighting. Once my hand gets
over limb, it sticks-like bulldogs teeth.
| It's the greatest grip known in Plymouth
| to say it without boastng."
| Daniel nodded and relapsed into silence.
| He was thinking hard now All his ideas
| centered on the wild hope to escape.
| Scheme after scheme sped through his
brains. Once shadowy enterprise actually
| developed, but he dismissed it as vain.
Then Luke BARLEY spoke to Mr. Corder
and suggested another line of action
This here was the man who had that
cute thought that the burglars to West
| didn't he, Gregory"
| The inspector admitted it.
Yes; | gave you all credit for that:
| the right one. I'm sure Of that. Hue an
cry quick that they never could
| have got clear off with any slower We
| hicle.''
Daniel made no answer; but he jumped
| at the topic of the recent burglary and
| turned 1t swiftly in his mind Here, per-
| haps, was the chance he wanted. For half
| an hour he kept silence; then he spoke to
| BARLEY.
Twas you who first thought as might
have a hand in that business myself,
Luke?"
mo, no: Mr.. Gregory here"
.'Of course, 1 hope you hadn't; but you
| might have had Anyhow that will be a
mystery for evermore, 1 reckon" said the
| inspector
Five thousand pounds worth of plate
| they took explained Daniel to his driver;
but Mr.. Corder knew all about It,
| Five thousand and more Twas always
great regret to me that 1 wasn't in that
| job
"You couldn't have done no better than L
done, struck in Gregory. That I'll swear
| to. The London man gave me great credit
for what l did do. He said he'd never
known such nose for a clue. That was
| his own word
| 1T was" declared Barley THAT was
| the Very word of the London man for
| heard it,
They are not bit smarter than US to
Plymouth really" said Corder 1--WE known
| them make mistakes that I'd have blushed
to make But tits just London If thing
! comes from London, it must be first chop.
| They only beat Plymouth in one matter as
| I knows about an that's their criminal
| classes
Not but what we've got our flyers at a
| crime, too" said Mr.. Gregory, who was
highly patriotic. Take that there burglary
| job to Westcombe. 'Twasn't a fool who
| planned and carried that out"
! But they coined down from London for
| certain" argued COrder.
They might or they might not" an
"Then, for murders like this here muir
| der of Adam Thorpe" added BARLEY, I'm
| sure the county of Devon stands high
as anybody could wish. 'Tisnt deed to
be proud of, certainly; but I won't allow
for one that London beats Devonsheer in
anything. AS many hangs to Exeter gaol
| as to any other county gaol in my knowl-
| edge
"shall hang over this job, do e reckon,
| Mr. Corder?" asked Daniel humtby
! "Ban't for me to say, my son. A gun be
a very damning piece of evidence. But if
| you can prove you wasn't there that's all
that need be done
Il was using my gun, but"
Don't say nothing to me-" Interrupted
the giant. Il wish you well; but anything
you say is liable to be used against you
| according to law. Therefore you'll do wis
est to keep your mouth shut till you can
get your lawyer to listen to you
Silence fell; then the Warren Inn came
into sight, and at the same moment Mr..
| Corder pulled up and looked anxiously
| down his horses flank.
Just jump out will e, one of you men,
1 an see If he's got stone in his shoe. He
| has gone lame all of sudden-in the near
hind leg, think
BARLEY alighted and lifted the horses
hoof. Then he examined the others. But
| there was no stone. Yet the horse went
lame when they started again
| Hes hurt his frog. He'll be all right In
an hour said Gregory. who was learned
on the subject. Here's the Warren Inn
! just handy. You'll do we'll to pu. up there
| for a bit Us can go in the Darlor an
wait; then. If there's any in the bar, they
won't us.
John Beer and his wife were, of course,
not yet at home; but pot man kept house
and waited in the public room.
| The place was empty. Mr.. Corder and
| Gregory took Daniel Sweetland into little
parlor, while Bartley stabbed the lame
| horse
Presently he returned and brought a
lamp with him, for it was now growing
| dark
IAN hour I'll wait and only an hour"
| declared Corder. "Then, If the horse be
| still lame, we must get another
The officers sent for. bread cheese and
beer. They asked Daniel to join them
and he agreed; then suddenly while they
were at their meal he spoke.
I've got a word to say to you chaps
IT'S a terrible matter. but I'd rather have
| 1t off my mind than on it just at present
| Will you do the fair thing if 1 tell you. an
| give me credit after?'
You'd better far keep quiet" said Cor
| der
| Ills like this. The cleverness of YOU
three men mazes me. To think as Gregory
| here saw so clear about the burglary an
BARLEY, too! Well, now your horse goes
lame an everything IT'S fate, an so I'll
speak if you'll listen. Only 1 AK this as
prisoner; 1 this as the weak prays
the strong for mercy; that you'll remember
to my credit how made a clean breast OF
everything without any pressure from any
Of you"
The Infant stared.