Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-02-02

educated CLASS OF DOlu America dId
England, and l had learned very little
about his antecedents, since he ap-
peared to be wholly absorbed in his
hobby of unraveling mysteries through
the medium of his peculiar optical
gift. That he had any interests out
side this line of occupation was borne
in upon me for the first time when
going to his Office to consult him rela-
tive to client of mine, | found him
reading a morning newspaper and CIV
ing vent to short and emphatic ejacu-
lations.
Did you see this?" he exclaimed.
THE American fleets middleweight
champion is to box our middleweight
champion at Coney Island tomorrow
evening at eight"
Our champion?" | exclaimed.
The champion Of the visiting Brit
ish fleet" Crewe explained; and then
I learned his nationality for the first
time.
care you interested in boxing?' l
asked in some surprise.
Il was a pupil of John L. Sullivan"
he answered proudly.
1t developed that Crewe had been
widely known at one time as a sue
cessful amateur boxer, and was still
held in respect as man of parts and
a stickler for all the best traditions
of the ring.
1T is strange that you should have
brought up this subject" | said. "be.
cause it is about this very man,
Thompson, the American middle
weight, that l have come to consult
you"
What is the trouble?" asked Crewe,
laying his newspaper aside
81 have an appointment with him at
three" l answered. Suppose yc1
come over to my Office and let him
tell you his own story"
Crewe agreed, and, promptly at tie
hour set, Thompson made his appear
ance. He was a handsome, well-set
up fellow, a seaman from the North
Dakota" and a man of evident intelli.
gence.
sit down, Thompson" I said.
Thompson complied, laying down his
head-covering upon the table. Nov
said, tell your story in detail.
We'll, it's this way, Mr.. Langton.
said Thompson, pulling up his trouscr
legs Next week | shall be twenty
one, and if I live to reach my majority
l inherit snug little sum of fifty
thousand dollars from the estate Of
my uncle in Ireland. If | don't live
that long it goes to q distant connec-
ton of my uncle known as Philip
Egan. 1t wasn't willed that way eX-
actly, but there was court case, and
the lawyers fixed it that way between
them after eating up half the estate in
litigation; the sum left was nearly a
hundred thousand"
"And you have experienced some
remarkable things during the past few
days." continued.
Yes, sir, as l told you this morn
ing. We came ashore last week after
years cruise, during which | hardly
ever left the ship. Phil Egan was one
of the first men l met on landing. He
Frank he said, of course | hoped
you wouldn't live long enough to get
that money, but we're not going to let
a little thing like that stand between
friends, are we? And though I've
always mistrusted Phil, what could
do but give him the glad grip? So we
saw the sights of the town together.
Now, sir, that was five days ago,
and of course I've been careful of my
self, being in training and having ey-
cry hope of whipping the Britisher at
the Island tomorrow. And yet, it has
seemed to me that my life wasn't in
particularly good standing.
THAT same night While Phil and
were strolling down the Bowery, Per
fectly sober, we were attacked by 4
gang without moments warning.
Phil got away; knocked down two OF
them, and the third nearly got hcme
with his knife on me-" He pulled down
his sailors collar and displayed faint
red scratch, almost encircling the
throat.
THAT would have been bad wound
if it had gone an inch deeper, Mr..
Langton," he remarked philosophical
". And the day before yesterday,
when was passing down side street,
l heard a snap at my side and crack
at window opposite. I looked, and
in the woodwork of door behind me
| found this, just embedded
He took from his kerchief As car
bine bullet.
You suspect Egan is trying to muir
der you for the sake OF the money" l
asked.
1T wouldn't become me to say that,
sir" replied Thompson, although
haven't seen him since we were set
upon by the gang. But If he's going to
get me, he'll have to do It quickly, for
l come of age on Saturday"
Odd you go anywhere else with
Egan?" Crewe asked.
1--WE took turn round Coney Isl
and; a couple hours before we were at
tackled on the Bowery, sir" Crewe an
swered.
Now think Did you do anything
unusual at Coney?"
why, yes, sir" answered Thomp-
son, reddening, but it seems such a
trife, hardly worth mentioning
Never mind; out with it"
We'll, the fact is, got tattoed by
Chinaman,' said Thompson. I'D al