Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-02


mn ter and looked round the
V circle of attentive faces.
4 i Nov, gentlemen, in view
of what you know, or have
discovered. or suspect, here-what does
the letter mean?"
Madison shook his head and spread
his hands.
"All Greek to me, sirl" he said.
Haven't the ghost of an idea what it's
all aboutl I don't want to seem dis
respectful, but-iSn't it possible Col.
Engleden had got some mistaken notion
in his head? Southmoor why,
Southmoor Is 400 miles from this
place!"
Anstie made no reply to this remark;
he turned to Engleden.
THE matter Is plain enough to me
and to Capt, Shoreham and to Mr..
johnson" said Engleden. ITO put 1t into
so many words-we believe, from GER
tain evidence which we have collected,
that during the morning of Monday,
the first day Of his stay IN Barows-
burgh, Col. Engleden accidentally came
across and recognized the two men
mentioned in the letter you've just read
Smelling and Hardle! But I'll give
you our facts"
He went on to tell Anstie and Malli-
son of all that he and johnson had
discovered-the information got at the
post ofilce-the entry of Col. Engle-
de~N's diaFy-the various points In cor
roboration of their theory-their send
ing for Millwaters-the murder of Mill
waters. AnStie merely nodded as each
point was dealt with; Madison showed
his establishment, not unmixed with
resentment that he had been kept in
the dark.
You see," said Engleden, In conclu-
sion, that all this fits In with the
letter you have just read? 1t is an
ambiguous letter, as you remarked but
1t proves this-Col Engleden had made
discovery in connection with the
mystery Of that escape IL years ago."
And you think that his discovery
was that Smelling and Hardle were ac-
tually living here, in this town." sug-
gested Anstie. lis that it?"
THAT is itl,'
Under other names, Of course?"
Under other names-aS you say"
What narnes2" burst out Madison.
sam TO understand, Mr.. Engleden,
this town your uncle recognized two
escaped convicts? If so, str-name
theml"
Engleden turned to Anstie.
II think the time has come to throw
on all reserve" he said. I'VE had bet
ter indicate plaintly the men we mean,
So-cne is Mr.. James Sanderson, the
the other is Hewitt, his butler. We be-
lieve Sanderson to be identical with
Smelling, and Hewitt with Hardle. And
we have reason for our belief"
What reason, Mr.. Engleden, what
Yeason?" exclaimed Madison. Mr..
Sanderson? Bless me, sir, Mr.. Sander
sons one of the most highly-respecte
gentlemen in the place, magistrate
a magistrate, Maj. Anstie And
Hewitt?-e very quiet, respectable man,
sir. Some sad mistake, Mr.. Engleden,
some grievous mistake"
We can put matters to the test as
regards Sanderson, and very quickly"
remarked Engleden. Capt. Shore
ham, who knew Smelling well as q con-
vict, knows that Smelling bears on his
right wrist a most peculiar birthmark.
I suggest that Superintendent Malli-
son should invite Mr.. Sanderson to
show us his right wrist! He will ind
he has probably observed 1t already
on Mr.. Sanderson's right wrist a
polished steel circlet or bracelet, Of
some width, completely covering and
surrounding the wrist at its slenderest
part. And what we want to know is
what does that steel bracelet conceal?"
1t was evident to those standing
about him that this suggestion found
no favor with the police superintendent.
Madison, indeed, was showing unmis-
taxable signs Of mental disturbance
and Of dislike to the course into which
Engleden was endeavoring to divert
him.
That's not a thing I can take on
myself, Mr.. Engleden," he said. II
can't walk into Mr. Sanderson'S house
and demand to see his wrist! What
ever you may say or whatever's been
said here, I've no reason to suspect Mr..
Sanderson. And can't help repeating
Il think you're mistaken, Mr.. Engle-
den, grievously mistaken! Mr.. Sander
son, as say, is highly respected in the
town-always has been, ever since he
came here-and Hewitt Is quiet, or
derly man"
Engleden made q gesture of impa-
thence and looked at Anstie.
Il think you, as representing the home
od7ca, should move" he said. "I be-
ileve Sanderson to be Smelling and
Hewitt, Hardle. And I'm certain they'd
some hand in this affair. If Madison
won't act"
Let me hear and understand little
more" said Anstie. Let us clear things
up little. You suggest, Mr. Engle-
den, that your uncle, after his arrival
here, saw Sanderson and Hewitt"
II don't suggest that he saw Hewitt"
interrupted Engleden. Il know that he
saw Sanderson!"
Where did he see Mr.. sanderson?"
demanded Madison.
HE saw Sanderson where we have all
seen him today-on the magistrates
bench" replied Engleden. MY uncle
dropped in at the Town Hall that Mon
day morning, while the Magistrates
Court was sitting. Sanderson, as a
magistrate, was present: the other
magistrates In attendance were the
mayor, Mr.. Sadler and Mr.. Bratten.
am of opinion that it was then that
Col. Engleden recognized In Sanderson
gthe eAcapsd convict Smelling. AL tha