Omaha daily bee., 1921-06-12

things And there IS still more remarkable
statement recorded to the dead mans mother
Such is her sons affection for his employers that
he would have died for them. Much follows
from this admission; but we have to admit also
that Solly had no grudge against John Diggle
Even in the event of Dggle getting him locked
up, Solly would not have allowed enmity against
the night watchman' to inspire him on regain
ing his liberty In his mind, to repeat his
mothers forcibe words, when a fing done, it
done
Here then, Is the third party in this trini-
ty of the dead and his character stands clearly
before Had he been different; had Diggle
been different; had Henry Slanning been differ
ent, my reconstruction of those events that de-
stroyed all three, would not be feasible; but it
is built upon the only foundation that remains
for any superstructure-the foundation Of
character; and, to my surprise, I find 1t ample
for our purpose. l had suspected that any theo-
ry based on character alone, must have needed
modification and some special pleading when it
to details; 7 had anticipated the need to
rely upon probability and exercise no little in
genuity in rounding the narrative and gathering
the tangled thread into complete skein; had
even feared that character itself might presently
confound me and make it impossible honestly to
develop q consistent story; but to my salts
faction, l find this is not the case. Effect in
shape of facts, follows cause, as furnished by
character directly and lucidly; motive is at last
revealed, like the breaking from behind
cloud, and the series of events follow upon
each other logically, inexoraby. These things
had to be and they could not have fallen out
differently.
Henry Slanning is responsible for the
tire concatenation. He designed certain action
and took elaborate TO insure its opera
ton; but the event he planned duly accom-
plished accident wlled that 1t should serve az a
prelude to other events beyondHhis calculations
events fatal to the second and third actors in
the drama.
"Thus arrive at the threshold Of our
mystery.
When the house sleeps, Henry Slanning
rises and makes his way to the plantations
choosing that region where John Diggle will be
perambulating, gun shoulder Sanning goes
of set purpose to his death. He is willing to
die, but not by his own hand 1t is part of his
character that, while he seeks death, he cannot
infict il upon himself He has, however in
tended to do so. He has taken first steps to-
ward that end, and the revolver, found by his
dead body, was bought by him at Messrs For
rest, New Bond street. He wrote to England
for it week after his great disappointment
and he duly received it with box of / 90 cart
ridges. But he could not use it, For A mo-
ment he had dreamed of so doing when he la
bored under the bitterness of his rejection. It
was. however, alteration of character that
drove him to send for the weapon, and long
before it reached his hand, he had sufficiently
returned to himself to make its impossible.
why, however, did he take it to the plan
tation empty? To make of John Diggle
lie went out in his pyjamas, a light alpaca
Jacket, and a big straw hat similar to those the
negroes wear. Thus attired, in such a place. at
such a time, he must naturally be mistaken for
a common marauder; and having already di-
rected Dggle to do his duty in such an event and
fire at sight upon any thief, he expected him ta
do But the revolver was an inspiration
calculated to nerve Digsle and Danish the least
remaining trace of hesitation. Diggle would
challenge, and if he received reply and no
surrender would fire How much more GER
tainly, then, might he be expected to fire and
with how much 'sterner efficiency OF aim if the
thief threatened him?
Two of these three died in clear
ing OF cane, where cutting was in progress an6
the plans of the place show pathway extend
ing through it to the cliffs beyond. To the
cut down cane with one of the little familiar
hatchets used for the purpose. He knows that
in the silence of night the noise must soon
reach Digge's ear; and it does So The watch
man thereupon hastens to the spot. and it hap
pens that Soy Lawson. homeward bound by
the short cut through the cane, arrives a few
moments afterwards
I'VE may describe what follows with the
eyes of Solly Lawson.
HE sees Diggle challenge and marks n man
jump up before him. With head down the rob-
Der approaches. and for answer to Diggle's de-
mand to surrender produces revolver and
points 1t at the watchman. The steel flashes in
the moonlight and Disge's response is 10 get
in his shot first IL he can. He fires and the un-
know falls. solly sees Diggle drop his gun
and run forward; Nut he sees no more Henx
Twn to Iage Eight Column Easr1