The Washington times., 1912-10-20
CHAPTER Nv (continued).

- HERE was q dubious expression
on Ross face as he glanced
again over the lines.
what significance do ,you at
tach to this7" he asked, somewhat
grunly.
The postmark indicates that the let
ter was posted within two hours after
the murder Of Mr.. Ridgeley," replied
Saldrake. as he handed the envelope to
the superintendent.
Ross nodded.
well, what Of that?" he retorted
sharply. His knitted brows and a new
glitter In his eyes showed that he was
"As / have said, the letter came to us
this morning." the Newspaper man went
on. I'VE at once recognized the fact
that, II It was true. It constituted an
important piece Of news. Mr.. Ridgeley
OF Leeds and -"
Yes, yes, I understand its news
value" interrupted Ross, impatiently.
I've wired to our correspondent a.
the statement. We then made an at.
tempt to find Mr.. Ridgeley, to see wha,
he had 70 say about II, but"
you didn't find him." said Ross,
mo. It was not until 7 O'Clock tha,
the report Of the tragedy reached our
office. In the meantime, our Inquiries
concerning Mary Rylance ELECTED the
fact that her brother David. the writer
Of this letter was decorated with the
War"
e! remember the name." said Ross,
meditatively.
date when the cross was given might
give some data concerning his family
we referred to the files"
"WellT aueried the superintendent.
I'VE found rather more data than we
@ We foSnd .Sat The wfn mo,ss,
Of pay!d and Mary Rylance was born
That. she. was sister Of John Isbis.
"The devil!" exclaimed Ross, as ar
expression Of wonder settled on his face
h. nS. v ssr ssnss ,ss original %sn rsS 81
this picture" continued Caidrake, a.
he held out to the superintendent q
half-tone portrait which had been
clipped from a newspaper.
ct himselfr' exclaimed Ross. the veins
Of whose temples were standing out
like whipcords. The hand that held
the picture was trembling violently.
voice and looking up.
-Kirkwood is Eone-.stepped out
Just a moment ago" replied Purdow.
"Kirkwood" muttered Caldrake
Why. that's the name OF the man
whose life Rylance saved"
The superintendent, who had start.
ed toward the door. stopped sudden
What's that you say7" he asked
| "Oh, Just a coincidence-that's all
According to these clippings, Rylanct
won his cross by CARRYING into this
British lines at Ladysmith a wounded
| scout named Joseph Kirkwood."
| A dazed look came into the super.
intendents eyes.
"a wounded scout named Joseph
Kirkwood" he repeated. "Why, this
Kirkwood-Joseph Kirkwood-wasa ar
| army scout before he"
| A torrent Of profanity fell from
| Ross lips, and his face grew livid
| His face grew longer, and his eyei
resembled smoldering embers
| Occasionally this easy-going super.
intendent of police became a man o.
| action; at such times his features
| would become as expressionless az
| mask, and he was wont to DISPLAY
| a combination Of shrewdness and bull,
dog tenacity of courage which mad,
his men stand in awe Of him.
II was thus that Purdow and tn,
newspaper men saw him now.
"Purdow. call cab: then come witt
me-" said Ross Dryily. "The Cricko
has Scotland Yard with him now ant
u we can't overhaul Joe Kirkwoo,
IN the next half-hour the combina
| ton will beat us out"