Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-06-15
1Be MYSTERY
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with her or thinking OF marrying her.
In the first place. I've only seen her
once or twice in my life. and in tho
next. the difference IN our financial po-
sitions. 10 speak OF nothing else. is
quite enough TO put out OF the Ques-
ton any such idea on my part"
"CatlOok-king," said MacArdel. be-
tween puns
i suppose you mean by that 70 in
Ter that dog may look at q Queenl~
/ replied testify but I tell you. man.
it's AL nonsense-utter nonsense.
Looks bad. thought" said MacAr-
del, specially when a fellow com
pares himself to = dog. and the lady
20 a queen" and he touched the bell
on the little table between us"
what's that for?" I asked. I've
got plenty OF cigars here in my
, pocket"
yellow chatreuse.- he replied. I
think you need f."
Now. seriously, Maci~ I resumed.
What do you think OF this man Car
nsys virtual denial Of any excuses ?"
Lie" said MacArdel.
Wen I went on. what DO you
think Of the servants behavior in
( practically admitting the whole bssi-
ness and then turning about as he did
at the last moment"
: Mother lie" he replied.
Then you think they are a pair OF
prescious scoundrels2" I asked.
NO; damned scoundrels." he said
slowly. L think they are unless the
matter can be explained IN another
way. But I'm not At ali sure OF IL.
That's merely the way things look
now"
Nae I said. you don't know as
much az I do"
That ho replied, is the most un-
kind thing you ever said TO me.
know things, my boy. that your philos-
ophy never dreamed Of have been
trying 20 think. while you have been
talking. and. in spite Of you. have
thought 70 some purpose
In the FIRST place. as said a min
ute ago. I think tho man is an ordi-
nary drunkard and that this servant
OF his IN Ia league with him to keen
the facts from you and his family.
Nov. I only think this because Il Is
the most plausible explanation that Of
fera; ] am not sure OF a By any
means. and want that distinctly I'M
dsrstood
In the second place, you don't know
anything about IL at all. and yet. In
your monumental assurance. you have
settled tho whole thing with the OK
ception Of one detail. and you have
como 70 me. as a physician. to supply
you with that necessary link in your
chain OF evidence. You think he Is
the victim OF some drug habit and you
want me 70 tell you. from his sym
toms. what drug no Is using Isn't
mat SOY and he blew out another OF
those Insulting streamers OF smoke.
was forced TO admit sheepishly that
he was right. and my good opinion OF
myself faded away like the smoke OF
our cigars.
Well" he continued, tho symp-
toms be presents could not be caused
by opium, nor by cocaine. nor by hash
Gosh Whisky is the mostly likely
thing Of all, and you have nothing but
a couple OF vague expressions OF aston
ishment from him and his servant 70
make you search for any other soIu-
ton OF the problem.
There is, however, one other thing
that might be at the bottom OF Il all,
but he could not got IL here, and 1t
would be pretty hard for him to get IL
anywhere. Moreover, I am not at all
sure myself about II, and would have
70 look IL up before I would ven
ture TO say anything definite on the
subject"
What is it7" asked inpatiently.
Never mind what K is, for the pres
ent," he replied. IF I am wrong In
my surmise you can safely put II
down 70 whisky, and II I am right,
you are no better of, though perhaps
no worse. Now, I am not going to
say anything more about IL tonight"
But In the meantime what am TO
do with him?' I persisted. 4 may see
him again or be asked for advice
concerning him at any time, you
know
Leave him TO Bobbs. Ware; leave
him entirely 10 Bobbs and let him go
his own way as he will" said Mac
Ardel earnestly. IF it's whisky. the
sooner he drinks himself 20 death the
better. and If it's the Only other thing
IL can be, Bobbs is yeritabls God
send to him and to al OF you, too.
whatever you do, leave him alone
yourself, for you can't 90 him any
good and you may get into a lot OF
trouble II you bother with him. Let's
go down and play q game Of bill
lizards"