The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-15

mistress, while I swarmed up and cut the rope of the bell. Then l lashed her in the chair, and frayed out the end of the rope to make 1t look nat uraI, else they would wonder how in the world a burglar. could have got up there to cut it Then I gathered up a few plates and pots of silver, to car ry out the idea of the robbery, and there I left them, with orders to give the alarm when I had a. quarter of hours start. 1 dropped the silver in ham, feeling that for once in my life ham, fehng that for once in my life had done real good nights work And that's the truth and the whole truth, MT Holmes, if it costs me my neck"
 Holmes smoked for some time in silence. Then he crossed the room, and shook our visitor by the hand
 That's what think said he. TT know that every word is true. for you have hardly said a word which I did not know No one but an aero bat or a sailor could have got up to that bellrope from the bracket, and no one but sailor could have made the knots with which the cord was fastened to the chair. Only once had this lady been brought into con tact with sailors, and that was on her voyage, and it was someone of her own class of life, since she was trying that she loved him. You see how easy it was for me to lay my hands upon you when once had started upon the right trail"
 'T thought the police never could haya seen through our dodge
 And the police haven't, nor will they, to the best of my belief. Now, look here, Captain Crocker. this is a very serious matter. though am willing to admit that you acted under the most extreme provocation to which any man could be subjected am not sure that in defence of your a vii T10 pronounced legitimate However, that is for British jury to decide Meanwhile I have so much sympathy for you that. if you choose to disap- pear in the next ? hours, I will prom ise you that no one will hinder you
 tfAnd then it will all come out?'
 Certainly it will come out"
 The sailor flushed with anger.
 What sort of proposal is that to make a. man? I know enough of law to understand that Mary would be held as accomplice: Do you think I would leave her alone to face the music while I slunk away? No. sir, let them do their worst upon me, but for Heavens sake, MT Holmes. find some way of keeping my poor Mary out of the courts.''
 Holmes for 8 second time held out his hand to the sailor.
 'I was only testing you, and you ring true every time. Well, it is a great responsibility that I take upon but I have given Hopkins an excellent hint. and if he can't avail himself of it I can do no more- See here, Captain Crocker. we'll do this in due form Of law. You are the prisoner. Watson, you are a British jury, and I never met a man who was more eTninent1y fitted to repre- sent one. am the judge. Now, gem tIeman of the jury, you have heard the evidence. Do you find the pris- oner guilty or not guilty?"
 ''Not guilty. my lord" said I.
 ''Vox populi, vox Dei. You are ac- quilted, Captain Crocker. So long as the law does not find some other vic tim you are safe from me. Come back to this lady in a. year, and may her future and yours justify us in the Judgment which we have pro- nounced this night!'
 Tomorrow - The Adventure of the
 SDeckIcd Band.