The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-08-16

eriminology."
The Vigilant nodded.
"Quite so! 1t is possible ITO con-
ceive, for instance, man of that
stamp living, it may be for months, it
may be for years, innocuously among
people who have perhaps spoken to
him, perhaps dined with him and
thought him no better and no worse
than themselves. Now 1 come to think
of it, there is an almost parallel an
stance set forth with exceptional abil-
ity in your book of the criminal"
''The case of the Frenchman, Las
selle,' assented Lawson Hood. "It
struck me as typical at the time. He
committed no less than eleven crimes
yet in private life he was most kind
hearted and respectable tradesman.
By the way, what sort of weapon do
you think has been used? The point
was raised at the trial.
Marshall Third stretched out an arm
and picked up a heavy ife-preserver
from the table.
zone similar to that"
The great criminal barrister took
it and balanced it in his hand.
YES" said he thoughtfully; "yes,
that might do it. The man would
choose his victim and track him down,
waiting a favorable moment, then
creep up directly behind him, so di-
rectly that even if the poor wretch
turned he would scarcely see him, and
sweeping back-handed blow would
do the rest"
"And account for the wound always
being on the left SIDE" interrupted the
! Vigflant. But l have not yet dwelt
on the most curious feature of the
whole case. In each of the five cases
the victim was suffering from some
minor injury of a trivial character,
but sufficient to draw blood. The
messenger boy, for instance, had cut
his finger sharpening a pencil just
before starting out on the errand that
was to prove his last. 1t is well
known, of course, that the sight of
many madmen."
Lawson Hood nodded.
81 have" said the Vigilant, "been
watching these cases step by step.
| There will be no more of these crimes.
Had I only been more certain few
days earlier l could have saved the
Americans life"
"You know! Man alive, do you
mean to say that you have discovered
the criminal and done nothing? Who
is the man. What is he? You know
you can trust me not to speak,
| EYES," said the Vigilant slowly; "but
the secret is not mine" And he clap
ped his hands for Kioto, the Japanese
servant
"The whisky and soda" he said curt
ly.
Lawson Hood glanced at his watch.
Good heavens, had no idea it was
so late. l must CO.
"You will have something to drink
first said the Vigilant; you lock
over-tired.
Thanks, yes! I had a long day at
the courts
Marshall Third, unnotiaed ''ok Up
an open penknife from the table and
deliberately slashed himself across the
back cf his left hand, giving vent to
an exclamation of annoyance as he
did So He dropped the knife and his
hand bled freely.
Lawson Hood turned quickly.
What on earth are you doing?" he
cried
1--WE clumsily cut myself. I'll let
it bleed a little. 1 fancy there was
poison on that blade. l use it for
scientific work sometimes and it may
| have
The sentence was never finished. A
curious change had stolen over the
barrister's face. In place of the calm,
self-reliant, intellectual look, his fea-
lures seemed to become suddenly con-
vulsed. His eyes, riveted on Thirds
slim hands, glared wolfishly; his lips
drew back, showing the gums.
Suddenly he leaped UP with arm
raised to strike.
AS he did so the small brown SER
want who had been standing motion
less and unobserved in corner also
sprang.
1t was all over in a second. There
was click a horrible gurgling cry
and the now raving mailman was held
down helpless.
By the Vigilants side was a small
vial half filled with cQlorless liquid
He pulled out the cork, emptied the
contents on a handkerchief and threw
it to Kioto. With quick movement
the latter jerked it over the mailman s
mouth and nostrils, and the sweet
sickly odor Cr chloroform tainted the
air. After few moments the tension
of the muscles relaxed, The Japanese
looked UP again. Third nodded.
Through the quiet night hours they
watched.
When the sleeping man woke, for &
short time he lay staring about hin