The Republican journal., 1911-09-14

AAceuy' unuel circumstances which lead me to
rear that ne may have made way with himself
I, He left his room in Grafton street at n
or MonGay evening last and so far as can as
certain has not been seen since.
Il understand that Charles was friend of
yours and that he was in the habit of playing
bridge with you for high stakes. 1t occurs to
me that he may possibly have lost more money
to you than he could afford, and that this NAV
supply the reason for the rash and fatal act
into which fear he has been hurried. NAV
De quite wrong in supposing this. But / feel
IL incumbent on me to make the inuuirv.
BILE. 90 poe'i-
GEORGE HERoNDYKE, Solicitor
M Etheridge, Esq"
Holcott plunged his hands deep into his
pockets and gave vent to prolonged whistle.
"By George!" he added, by way of supple
ment.
dashed awkward-eh?" said Etheridpe,
cunning look came into Holcott's face.
20, don't know" he said. 1.-THE old man
evidently knows nothing He's only spelling
for information. No need for us to admit
anything, as far as l can see."
ave must say something" declared Ethe
ridge.
"Quite. But only what it suits US to saw.
Why not simply tell the old boy that we left
Laceby at the Empire on Monday night and
that was the last we saw of him."
"Need we say that he was with us at all on
Monday night? querled Etheridge
"Oh, yes! Better tell the truth up to that
point Some one may have seen US together
at the Ritz or the Empire, you know" replied
his companion with an astute smile
You're right there, l suppose" admitted
Etheridge. "Well. suppose we put our heads
together at once and concoct an answer to this
inquisitive old person."
So said, SO done. The joint composition of
the confederates, when at length completed,
ran in these terms:
los Sackvile street, W
dear Sir: In reply to your letter, am truly
sorry to hear of your nephews disappearance
and trust that your more serious apprehen-
sions concerning him may prove to be I'M
founded,
"Laceby dined with my friend Mr. Holcott.
and myself at the Ritz on Monday night. AT
terward we all went to the Empire. There we
left Laceby at about II o'clock. Neither of us
have seen him since.
SIN regard to your idea that Laceby may
have lost money to US at bridge, l am happy to
occasionally and for fairly high stakes. I'm
afraid he's born gambler. But, SO far from
having lost, he has won pretty consistently.
Indeed. the last time he played here he took
over 970 off me, and l should say that, on the
whole, his winnings have not been much short
Oh Az00' Yours ' aMERVYN ErHER1DeE."
George Herondyke, Esq"
"But say. Holcott what if Laceby hasn't
made away with himself after alp" exclaimed
Etheridge, pausing in the act of sealing up his
letter. "Rather awkward should he turn up and
refute' our little fairy tale. WHAT"
Wouldn't much matter if he did" rejoined
the other coolly. when all's said, it's only
his one word against our two: Besides, if he's
alive. there'll be beastly inquest to give
publicity to the affair. No dear boy. We're
safe enough in any event.
Eyes; don't think we have an occasion to
worry" said Etheridge, thoughtfully. And he
proceeded to address the letter. Shortly af-
terWard he went out and posted it.
A few evenings later Etheridge and Holcott
were sitting over whiskeys and soda in GER
tain restaurant near Piccadilly Circus which
they occasionally frequented. The waiter who
served them eyed them curiously. Presently
he went over and said something in an under
tone to the manager, who in his turn stroled
round to gentleman who was sitting near the
door and whispered omething in his ear
Meanwhile our two fri ends continued to drink
and smoke in blissful Inconsistencies of the
interest they had excited Presently they
called for their bill. 1t was brought. Ether
idge rendered IS note in payment. The
waiter took it to the manager at the desk; the
manager looked at it. Then he beckoned VI
the gentleman of whom mention has just beer
made. After brief colloquy the latter ap-
preached the table where Etheridge and Hol
colt were sitting.
81 am a police officer" he said. You tive
gentlemen were concerned in uttering forg
ed Bank of England note here two nights ago
and have just attempted to utter another now
l must ask you to accompany me to Grea
Marlborough street at once
The two friends sat staring at the detectiv.
in blank ADVANCEMENT. The accusation had takel
them utterly aback. For the moment the,
were too much dumfounded to find words
the magistrate The evidence which the polio
produced came on them like bolt from tn
blue. 1t was proved that upon being searche
at Great Marlborough street a number 0
forged f5 notes was found on each of the &C
cused; further, that in cash box at Sackvill
street other forged Bank of England notes t
the fat value of more than $500 had been dis
covered. These facts, of course, impaired t
the case against them an extremely ugly look
And though, seeing there was now no help 70
it, they told the true story of how they com
by the notes, protesting that they had take
them from Laceby in perfect good faith, neve
suspecting anything wrong with them, it wa
easy to see from the magistrates manner tina
he considered their story rather thin. In tn
end he remanded the accused for week,
give them the opportunity of calling in ev
dence in support of their statements.
At the next hearing they were representa-
by well known police court solicitor, who's
services they had retained The latter did h
best for his clients, but in default of corrobors
tive evidence of their story, he could do littl
On the other hand the prosecution called
fatally damaging witness against them in tn
person of George Herondyke. Herondyke
appeared. having read report of the proceed
in ps at the previous hearing had in the inte]