Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-22

1t was rather faint. Nevertheless that
man was the original of the photo
graph upon the mantel at FairvieW.
and the parcel was a box OF cigars
wrapped In a dirty cloth. Selim must
have learned of our coming and de-
terrlined to remove all evidence from
the scene of the crime. Not daring
to burn or bury the cigars, he re-
solved to go to London secretly ana
dispose of the box to some one OF his
compatriots who frequent the Wap'
ping and Tilbury purlieus. by great
good fortune his visit synchronlZed
with our arrival"
At Crewe's suggestion we purchased
cloth caps and threw away our felt
hats; we turned up the collars of our
coats and made ourselves appear as
much as possible in our role of ships
officers ashore. To find the junk shop
was easy. AS Crewe had surmised, 1t
was kept by an East Indian,
swarthy, ill-favored fellow who eyed
us with no very great appreciation.
Mate" said Crewe, Eve want some
smokes to take aboard with US in the
morning"
Without word the East Indian pro-
duced a handful of vile-looking che
roots. Crewe tossed them roughly
aside.
what dye take me for?" he said,
c1i p6t 11y
under the influence of liquor. Gimme
a box. Got any split boxes?"
Leaning over the counter I saw
small package wrapped up in dirty
cloth, which disclosed the end of a
cigar box.
Gimme those" I said pointing.
The East Indian looked at me fur
lively. He took up the box, unwrapped
the cloth-and suddenly darted
through the back door of his shop.
Instantly Crewe leaned upon him.
"Hold him." he cried to me, as the
Indian twisted himself adroitly out OF
Crewe's grasp. I saw his hand go
down to his side and, with fortunate
blow, knocked him sprawling. His
head came in contact with the edge OF
the door and the fall stunned him.
The box fell from his clasp. Picking
it up hastily l saw upon the cover the
word "Borneo."
Come on" cried Crewe, and. hold
ing the box under my coat, darted
after him down the alley. We reached
the main road painting, and, finding
that we s'ere not pursued, set off at
rapid pace toward the station. On
the way we recovered our hats, which
we had thrown behind some boarding
It was five o'clock on the following
morning when we reached Fairview,
after many hours of waiting at juno
lions for trains which either did not
run or did so with exasperating uI
punctuality. We went straight to the
house and called Mr.. Clayton out Of
bed. Crewe held up the cigars.
Now, Mr.. Clayton, We must act
quickly" he said, cor you will find
that the quarry will have flown. Can
you bring Selim to the house as soon
as possible?"
81 will do so at once" said Mr.. Clay.
ton, much mystified.
IF he refuses to COMET said.
"He will not refuse. I can procure
warrant from Mr.. Tighe, our near
est magistrate. But may | ask"
81 would rather say nothing" Crewe
answered. 1T is a desperate hope,
and yet it seems built upon something
of a foundation. At any rate it will
do no harm. May I be allowed the
setting of the little drama?"
by all MEANS" Mr.. Clayton an
sWered.
He set off as soon as he had
snatched a hasty breakfast of bread
and milk, and, after two hours of wait
ing, Crewe and l saw him reappear
with Selim. The servant came in
blandly; he was as suave in his de-
meanor as he had been pictured;
nevertheless I thought could discern
an uneasy glance in his eye.
"Sit down, Mr. Selim," said Mr.. Clay
ton. "These gentlemen are friends of
Claude Bamwell's and wish to inter-
rogate you"
'I shall be delighted to do every
thing in my power to assist them"
said the Indian, seating himself easily
at the table. 'If only I could believe
that the unhappy young man was not
guilty of my dear masters death"
"Do you smoke, Mr.. Selim?" asked
Crewe abruptly.
The Indian started violently; then,
recovering his composure, replied:
II am not much. of smoker, sir"
"But you have smoked? Will you
oblige me by smoking a cigar with
me?" And he produced the box of
Bornoes.
I never saw such a change come
over a human countenance as came
over the Indians. For a moment he
gasped like a fish out Of water. Be-
fore he could regain his self-posses-
sion Crewe had placed before him a
sheet of paper and pencil. Upon the
paper was written:
IT swear that and l alone am re-
sponsible for the death of my master,
Sir George Bamwell."
"As an alternative to smoking, per-
haps you will sign this" said Crewe.
"You may do BOTH" he added.
The Indian collapsed into his chair
with a CHASTITY smile.
mo, 1 will smoke" he said, pushing
the paper away.
nrorrn na1rnn 1u III clear and then