The Washington herald., 1912-04-07


pond?"
1T was certainly rather eccentric be-
favior. | was merely going on the idea
that il the silver had been taken by per-
sons who did not want it-who merely
took II for blind, as it were, then they
would naturally be anxious TO get rid Of
it,"
But why should such an idea cross
your mind"
We'll. | thought il was possible.
When they came out through the French
window, there was the pond with one
tempting little hole in the ice, right in
front Of their noses. Could there be
better hiding placer"
"Ah, a hiding -place-that is better"
cried Stanley Hopkins. "Yes, yes, see
1t all now! 1t was early, there were folk
upon the roads, they were afraid Of be-
ing seen with the silver, so they sank
It in the pond, intending to return for
it when the coast was clear. Excellent
Mr.. Holmes-that is better than your
idea of a blind"
Quite so: you have got an admirable
theory. ! have no doubt that my own
ideas were quite wild, but you must
admit that they have ended in discov-
ering the silver"
Yes, sir-yes. II was all your doing.
But | have had a bad setback"
"A setback"
"Yes, Mr.. Holmes. The Randall gang
were arrested in New York this morn
ing"
Dear me, Hopkins That is certainly
rather against your theory that they
committed a murder in Kent last night"
1T is fatal, Mr. Holmes-absolute
fatal. Still, there are other gangs of
three besides the Randalls, or il may be
some new gang of which the police have
never heard"
Quite so; it Is perfectly possible.
What, are you off y
"Yes, Mr.. Holmes. there is no rest for
me until ! have got TO the bottom OF the
business. suppose you have no hint
to give me"
g! have, given you one"
which,"
We'll, suggested blind"
But why, Mr.. Holmes, why?"
"Ah, that's the question, OF course.
But l commend the idea to your mind.
on might possibly find that there was
something in it. You won't stop for
dinner? Well, goodbye, and let us
know how you get on"
Dinner was over, and the table clear
ed before Holmes alluded to the mat
ter again. He had lit his pipe and held
his slippered feet to the cheerful blaze
of FIRE Suddenly he looked at his
watch.
"When?" .Nr.s
"Now-within few minutes. dare
say you thought | acted rather badly to
Stanley Hopkins just now"
Il trust your judgment"
"A very sensible reply, Watson. You
must look at It this way: what | know
is unofficial, what he knows is official
! have the right to private judgment,
but he has none. He must disclose all,
or he is a traitor to his service. In a
doubtful case | would not put him in
so painful a position, and so | reserve
my information until my own mind is
clear upon the matter"
But when will that be-"
The time has come. You will now
be present at the last scene of remark
able little drama"
There was a sound upon the stairs,
and our door was opened to admit as
fine a specimen of manhood as ever
passed through il. He was a very tall
young man, golden-mustached, blue
eyed, with skin which had been burned
by tropical suns, and springy step,
which showed that the huge frame was
as. active as It was strong. He closed
the door behind him, and then he stood
with clenched hands and heaving breast,
choking down some overmastering emo
ton.
sit down, Capt. Crocker. You got
my telegram
Our visitor sank into an armchair,
and looked from one to the other Of
us with questioning eyes.
Il got your telegram, and ] came at
the hour you said. ! heard that you
had been down to the office There
was no getting away from you. Let's
hear the worst. What are you going to
do with me? Arrest me? Speak out,
man You can't sit there and play with
me like a cat with mouse"
Give him a cigar" said Holmes.
Bite on that, Capt Crocker, and don't
let your nerves run away with you. l