The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-05-27
PART FIVE.

Lady Brackenstall was reclining on
the same couch, but looked brighter
than before. The maid had entered
with us. and began once more to TO
ment the bruise upon her mistress
brow.
Il hope" said the lady, that you
have not come to cross-examine me
again?
No" Holmes answered, in his gent
lest voice, Il will not cause you any
unnecessary trouble, Lady Bracken-
stall, and my whole desire is to make
things easy for you. for am convinced
that you are a much-tried woman. If
you will treat me as friend and trust
me, you may find that l will justify
your trust"
What do you want me to do?"
TO tell the truth
Mr.. Holmes"
NO. no, Lady Brackenstall-it is no
use. You may have heard of any little
reputation which l possess. will stake
it all on the fact that your story is an
absolute fabrication"
Mistress and maid were both star
ing at Holmes with pale faces and
frightened eyes.
You are an impudent fellow" cried
Theresa DO you mean to say that
my mistress has told a lie?"
Holmes rose from his chair.
Have you nothing to tell me-"
Il have told you everything"
Think once more, Lady Bracken-
stall. Would it not be better to be
frank?'
For an instant there was hesitation
in her beautiful face. Then some new
strong thought caused it to set like a
mask.
/ Il have told you all l know
Holmes took his hat and shrugged
his shoulders. Il am sorry.' he said,
and without another word we left the
room and the house. There was a
pond in the park. and to this my friend
led the way. 1t was frozen over, but
a single hole was left for the conven-
fence of solitary swan. Holmes gazed
at 1t, and then passed on to the lodge
gate. There he scrubbed short note
for Stanley Hopkins, and left it with
the lodge-keeper.
1T may be hit, or it may be a miss,
but we are bound to do something for
friend Hopkins. just to justify this sec
ond visit" said he. Il will not quite
take him into my confidence yet.
think our next scene OF operations
must be the shipping Office of>the AIDE
laide-Southampton line which stands
at the end of Pail Mall, if l remember
right. There is second line of steam
ers which connect South Australia
with England. but We will draw the
larger cover first"
Holmes card sent in to the man,
ager insured instant attention, and he
was not long in acquiring all the in,
formation he needed. In June of '95
only one of their line had reached a
home port. 1t was the Rock Of Glib
raltar. their largest and best boat A
reference to the passenger list showed
that Miss Fraser, of Adelaide, with
her maid had made the voyage in her
The boat was now on her way to
Australia somewhere in the south of
the Suez Canal. Her officers were the
same as in '95, with one exception. The
first officer, Mr.. Jack Croker, had
been made captain. and was TO take
charge of their new ship. The Bass
Rock, sailing in two days time from
Southampton. He lived al Sydenham
but he was likely to be in that morning
= for instructions, if we cared to wait fol
7him.
f. No; Mr.. Holmes had no desire tc
see him, but would be glad to know
more about his record and character
His record was magnificent The re
was not an officer in the fleet to torcr