Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-04-09

he was sitting In Mr.. CnarnWortn5
| easy chair by the open window en-
gagged in the perusal of a manuscript.
He rose as they entered and made a
slight bow.
MY name is Badderley-Maj. An
drew Badderley" said the soldier, and
this Is Mr.. Bornwood, our curate-in-
charge"
And what can I do for your" said
the inspector. politely.
The fact is. we are most anxiots
for the-er-"
Good name Of the village" inter-
jected the curate.
| And other reasons" continued the
major, with a hand raised In gentle
rebuke. ito avoid any unnecessary
scandal In this unfortunate affair.
Have you found Mr.. Charnworth?"
The detective shook his head.
May | ask what crime he has com
mitted?"
MIR. Charnworth Is accused of forg-
cries and frauds extending over sew
eral years. He was a trustee for two
maiden ladies, and they are left quite
penniless. So far as can gather he is
for years." said the inspector. He
pulled open a drawer In the desk and
held up a morphia syringe. THE
keeper of his conscience" he said,
dryly.
Il shall not feel easy until he Is In
JAIL" frowned the major. MY serv-
ices are at your disposal"
II shall be pleased to assist In so
Just a cause" added the curate.
stoutly.
Il am much obliged to you BOTH"
said the detective with an ungainly
bow. He stopped and picked up the
manuscript from the chair where he
had laid it. Il have been reading his
last book" he continued. 1T was
completed. so far as I can ascertain,
In the course of yesterday morning.
Mr.. Charnworth was a fine writer. He
had beautiful thoughts"
He robbed women" remarked the
major. as IL that settled Charnworth
once and for all.
HE had no moral sense" continued
the detective. This book is the life
story OF a man who was greedy of the
beautiful, who was decadent-in the
best sense of the worldwide was SUI
premely selfish. but had fine appre-
citation of what he enjoyed. Imagine
luxurious. non-normal Athenian re-
incarnated in q sordid. property-re-
| onnnffno nrt.hhfn4 M
you have the plot of Mr.. Charnworths
last contribution to literature. His
heroic Strange. by name-suffers
reverses, unimaginable miseries. Mr..
Charnworth is felicitous In his descrip-
tons of scenery. Take, for instance,
this sketch Of garden: In II there
grew all kinds of straight, aspiring
things. ambitious to spread abroad.
Amongst them he wandered soft-foot-
ed upon the old turf walks. Impatient
hollyhocks bursting through. all their
stems In glorious color enticed him on.
More humble flowers stared up at him
from the dull, red earth like the spir-
Its OF its hidden jewels. exhaled In
fierce desire to greet the sun. And so
at last he came to where the leaden
Mercury toe-tipped before the rose
flushed garden house Does this
suggest q scene to you. gentlemen"
It's his own garden" said the ma
jor, eagerly. Go to the window, and
you will see the Mercury at the end
of the central alley"
Thank you. In the last chapter LIE
Strange passes through this garden
and over the fields where the corn lay
soaking In the sunlight And SO he
reaches the foothills of the moor and
wanders up cleft. There is much
fern and stream. Does that recall
locality, Mr. Badderley?"
II should think he means the Erme
Gap" said the major. He turned to
the window as he spoke with an air
OF impotence. This pedantic, long
winded policeman was getting on his
nerves.
Il am going to the Gap. Would you
care to come with me, gentlemen"
"Of course" began the major.
eff could be of any real use." hesi-
tated the curate.
Your presence would assist me
very much" said the detective.
They agreed at once. The inspector
bestowed the MSS. safely In his
pocket, and they set OF together.
II was close upon two miles to the
Gap, and past midday when they ar
rived at the narrow gorge where the
stream came tinkling down. II was a
warm day. and they were glad enough
when their leader halted and sat down
upon boulder by the water.
Mr.. Charnworth." said the inspec-