The Virginia enterprise., 1908-09-04

once to 435 Fourth avenue"
They've only been gone about ten
minutes said the captain who handed
me Clarke's note. The inspector is
with him. Don't know what they're
up to-"
I lost no time getting to the address
named, which proved to be a low re-
sort knew we'll as the harboring place
of thieves, and breeding spot for the
worst forms of vice and crime. The
gaudy front opened into rather inno-
cent-looking bar and that on smaller
rooms beyond.
I went in boldly, and at venture,
said authoritatively to the barkeeper,
who was serving a solitary customer:
"The inspector just came in with a
plain-clothes man. Where are they
now?"
He. taking me as l expected him to,
for "fy cop," said nothing but jerked
his thumb expressively in the direction
of the depths beyond.
Just as I was about to enter the
swinging doors an awful hubbub arose
from within, the sound of chairs hurled
violently to the floor, the crash Of
breaking glass and overturning tables,
curses, and the deep breathing of men
in deadly battle The one customer,
who had pricked up his ears at the
mention of the inspector, fled incon-
tinently. The barkeeper, schooled by
long experience to no interference with
the law other than to break it where
safe, wiped glasses as if nothing was
happening. l pushed the doors aside
and rushed in.
The scene that met my eyes was
over in less than the time necessary
to describe it, but it was thrilling while
it lasted. Two men were locked in
deadly embrace, reeling about the
room, overturning tables and chairs,
while third circled around them
watching for a chance to administer
the quietus with the butt of pistol.
The man in the embrace of the stran-
ger was Clarke. The one with the
pistol the inspector. The stranger had
long knife in his right hand which
he was trying to bring to bear on
Clarke's anatomy. but was pleased to
note that the wrist of the hand that
held the blade was encircled with four
fingers and thumb that I knew pos
sessed grip like pipe-wrench.
The affair could have but one end
ing, and l did not see that could be
of any use. With one powerful effort
Clarke brought his opponents head
within range of the butt of the in
spector's revolver. there was quick
thud, and a limp form slipped out of
his arms to the floor
Despite the blood which ran down
his face from the cut In his forehead,
the CRIME, and the torn clothing and
disheveled hair, knew him from the
pictures that filed the days papers.
1t was Arthur Edgerton.
What devils trick is this you're
playing on me, Mr.. Clarke?" roared
the inspector "We left this man at the
station not half an hour ago. How
comes it that you lead me here on
false scent and then drag my own
prisoner out of that room and force
me to slug him."
Il didn't lead you on false scent,
inspector" returned Clarke, with a
grim smile. Il gave you my word of
honor that if you would come with me
1 would give you the privilege of ar
resting the real murderer of Harrison
Garner. There he is, and all you have
to do is to handcuff him. He'll be
coming around in a minute, though
don't think there's much fight left in
him. The police certainly deserve
great credit for this. 1 imagine the
morning papers will have good deal
to say about the wonderful piece of
work accomplished by Inspector Ship.
1t isn't too late for an extra, even."
That's all very we'll, Mr.. Clarke, but
what does it mean?"
"Tll tell you-ah, he's coming back
to earth. That was a scientific crack
you gave him, Just hard enough but
not likely to interfere with the later
duties of the hangman. Inspector and
Mr.. Sexton, have the pleasure Of in
PRODUCING to you Mr.. Arnold Edger-
ton, the twin brother of a most es-
timable man, who has risked his own
neck to save one that is absolutely
worthless. Now, inspector, you may
take the case and Mr.. Sexton and
will retire again to private life"
It was many months after these
events that first heard the connected
story from Arthur Edgerton's own
lips. Nothing came out at the trial,
as Arnold was induced to plead guilty
and accept a term of life imprison-
ment, there being little doubt that he
was insane. Edgerton, the virtuous,
lived in retirement until he could wind
up his business affairs, when he and
Miss Morrison were quietly married
and departed to make their residence
in Europe. The evening before they
left they called at our apartments to
express again their gratitude to
Clarke for making their great happ1-
ness possible.
Il was born in Rio Janeiro," began
Edgerton after, with some reluctance,
he had consented to tell his story.
my brother followed me into the
world a few hours later and our moth
er died at his birth. My father was
the younger son of titled English