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“I’d like to know what it is?” he de-
manded.

“ There‘s no use in telling you; you
couldn’t understand it if I did. It takes
a woman to understand a woman, and
you—why you are not even a sharp
man."

Blaize felt this depreciation, and it
caused him to flare up a little. “Well,
if I ain’t sharp, then I’m no use to you,
and we‘d better quit at once, and for
good.”

Her face expressed her contempt for
the speech and the speaker.

“You are a bigger fool than I took
you for, Sam Blaize. “Suppose, now,
you go from me, where will you make
as much money, and as easily? ”

“But what’s the use in losing time
this way?”

He was more humble now.

“We are not losing time, I tell you.
When that old attorney Holland said
that we would have to go to California,
and have a warrant issued there before
we could have her arrested, the idea of
delay made me almost sick; for it was
granting her six or nine months of re-
spite, of pleasure, and I was so eager
to precipitate the avalanche, to let the
sword fall at once.”

“But there was no help for it,” inter-
rupted Blaize. “That’s the law, and we
can’t change it, nohow we try.”

“But there is a way of making her
miserable while we’re abroad, and my
woman’s wit discovered it at once.”

“What way is that? ”

“By telling her that I know of her
crime, and that I intend to haunt her
into her grave.”

Sarah Rock’s eyes glared as she spoke,
with a fierce light, and she clenched
her hands tightly. But for fear of the
law she would bury them in Laura Rob-
sart’s round, white throat.

“But what if she should run away? ”
queried Sam.

“ She won’t do that. Where would she
run to? Besides, she would as soon
die herself as to let old Elton Robsart
know her secret. This will keep her at
Robsart Place until we want her.”

“Yes, I suppose you are right,” replied
Blaize. “You women are wonderful
creatures; can beat men planning and
hating, all hollow. I never believed,
though, a woman could hate so well be-
fore.”

She smiled that old smile that made
her look so hideous, and asked: “ When
will we reach Sydneytown?”

“About five o’clock this evening, the
clerk says.”

“ Is there an inn or hotel there?”

“I’m told there’s a sort of a shabby
afiair, kept by a man named Pittock.
That will do, I suppose.”

“Yes, very well. How far is it from
Robsart Place? ”

“ ’Bout a quarter of a mile—from that
to a half.”

“ Very good."

She arose, went to the cabin window,
and looked out on the bay; while Blaize
strode leisurely into the gentlemen’s
cabin, picked up a copy of the Baltimore
Sun, and was soon deeply absorbed in the
details of a wrestling match which had
taken place the day before at Old Point
Comfort.

The Daisy reached Sydneytown at six
o’clock instead of five, and the sun was
setting when Mrs. Rook and Sam Blaize
turned their backs on the port, and
walked up the only street the town could
boast of, although now, when I come to
think of it, it’s hardly possible that such
a forlorn old town as this ever boasted
of anything.

Some of the houses have been painted
white and some red, but the storms of
twenty years which swept in off the wide
bay, and over the town, had carried away
the colors and left the fabrics all of one
hue—a dull, ugly, monotonous gray.

“ It’s a rum 01d hole,” remarked Blaize,
as he gazed up at the frame church, the
open steeple of which disclosed .a rusty
bell. ” Seems to me if I wanted the world
to forget I was alive I’d come to Sydney-
town.”

“ Yes, it’s a very ancient-looking set-
tlement,” answered Mrs. Rook. “But
where is the hotel?”

“ Can’t say for that. Better go ahead
till we find one.”

They came to it at last. It was called
the Calvert House, and had a great
swinging sign before the door, represent-
ing the founder of Maryland, in a cocked
hat, trimmed with a poor imitation of
real lace, a profusion of powdered hair,
and a rather damaged-looking crimson
coat. 'The building was a two-storied
affair, with a long porch in front and a
battalion of dormer windows on the mos-
sy roof. There were two doors; one wide,
the other narrow. The former led into
the bar-room; the latter, through cour-
tesy, was called the “ Ladies’ Entrance,”
and opened into a dim, plainly—furnished

Calvert Pittock, the proprietor of this
establishment, was a little round 'man,
with a Falstafiian physique and a bald
head. He was a pleasant person; always
had a smile for a customer, and was
shrewd enough to charge just as much
as his guests would pay, without grum-
bling.

He was all in a flutter of delight when

to live in \Vashington; saw Jackson in-
augurated. Yes, ma’am; I’ve seen a good
deal of the ups and downs of this world."

Mrs. Rook smiled at the boastful
words. “ I presume you have; but how
far is it from here to Robsart Place? ”

He stopped dusting the chairs, looked
down at the floor a minute, pursed up
his lips, and while he drew a very red
line over a watery blue eye, replied:
“ Well, let me see. Go in a hack?”

(( No.” K .

“On horseback? ”

“No; I’ll walk.” .

“Ah! afoot—eh? Then your best way
is through the woods. There’s a path
from my back door leads directly there.
The roadway is almost a half-mile, fair
measurement, but the path cuts it down
to a quarter and a fraction.”

“ Thank you.”

“ You’re perfectly welcome,” answered
Calvert Pittock. “ I always tries to oblige
my customers; it makes things pleas-
anter all round.”

He smiled blandly, bowed, and left the
room.

“ When are you going over?” asked
Blaize. _

“After dark,” was the reply.

(To be continued—Commenced in No. 693.)

 

THE LAND OF PRETTY SOON.

 

BY ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.

 

I know of a land where the streets are
paved
W'ith the things which we meant to
achieve.
It was walled with money we meant to
have saved,
And the pleasures for which we grieve.
The kind words unspoken, the promises
broken
And many a coveted boon
Are stowed away there in that land some-
where—
The land of “Pretty Soon."

There are uncut jewels of possible fame
Lying about in the dust,

And many a noble and lofty aim,
Covered with mold and rust;

And oh, this place, while it seems so near,
Is farther away than the moon,

Though our purpose is fair, yet we never

get there——

The land of "Pretty Soon.”

The road that leads to that mystic land
Is strewn with pitiful wrecks,
And the ships that have sailed for its
shining strand
Bear skeletons on their decks.
It is farther at noon than it was at dawn,
And farther at night than at noon:
Oh, let us beware of that land down
there—
The land of “Pretty Soon.”

 

Detective Dixon’s Dilemma.

BY ED. LIVINGSTON KEYES.

 

CHAPTER III.
was 11‘ THE MOVE TO MAKE?

That this information might prove of
great importance Holmes was quite ready
to believe, but in precisely what way he
was far from determining. The clerk's
confession that he had sold a Derringer
to the gentleman whose sleeve-link was
found so close to the“ dead body of the
colonel, where a similar and probably
the identical Derringer lay, tended to
support the circumstantial evidence al-
ready in his possession.

But, try as he might, Holmes could
conceive no motive that might have actu-
ated this respected citizen to commit
such a heinous deed. His every action,
since the tragedy, was suflicient to dis—
pel any such fanciful supposition. But
how came the sleeve-link there? If the
Derringer found by the murdered man’s
body was the one which had been sold
by the clerk to the citizen of Rehyville,
how came the weapon by the dead man’s
side?

These were the questions so trouble-
some to answer that absorbed Holmes
as he drove homeward. He was haunted,
too, by the fear that he had erred in not
taking another into his confidence; two
might succeed where one might fail.

Should he consult some one older and
more experienced than himself? No; the
crime was too terrible to allow a breath
of suspicion to point in any but the right
direction, and he was fully conscious that
the evidence at his command did point to
one man.

Miss Ina Rehy was a beautiful, charm-
ing young woman of twenty. She had
spent one winter in New York and an-
other in Boston, and her beauty and ac-
complishments had occasioned favorable
comment in the fashionable circles of
these cities. But the old family mansion,
“The Elms,” occupied more than a cor-
ner of her warm heart, and here she pre-
ferred to remain the greater portion of
her time.

Five years after the death of her moth-
er, Judge Rehy had married an estimable
woman who was but ten years Ina’s se-
nior. There was a congenial companion—
ship existing between Ina and her step-
mother, seldom met with in similar re-
lationships, and her home life was in
every way agreeable and pleasant.

The late tragedy had affected Ina keen-

 

he ushered the travelers into the parlor
and ordered the black servant to prepare .
a room for the lady. ,

“How long do you intend stopping at:
Sydneytown?” he asked.

“As to that, I could not say yet,” an- ;
swered Sarah Rook. “Probably a dayf
or two.”

“Ah! yes; not on a long visit then;
merely a flying trip from—” '

He paused and looked inquiringly atl
Blaize. I

“ From Baltimore,” added Mrs. Rook.

“Just so! just so! From Baltimore,
eh? Beautiful city; delightful trip down
the bay.”

He was straightening the table-cloth
and dusting the stiff-backed wooden
chairs as he made these remarks.

“Do you know where Robsart Place
is? ” questioned Mrs. Rook, after a mo—
ment’s silence.

“Oh, bless your soul and body, yes;
of course I do. I have lived here in Syd-
neytown these three-and-twenty years.
Come down from Annapolis here. Used

ly. She was fond of her soldier uncle,
and his sudden deplorable end was a
great shock to her. She had not ex-
pressed the impatience and indignation
she felt at the incompetency and inactiv-
ity of the detectives; but she had unceas-
ingly wished that she in some manner

lmight be instrumental in shedding light

upon the mystery enveloping her uncle’s
death.

She was quite unconscious that Dixon
Holmes—for whom she entertained kind—
ly feelings—had moved in the matter;
and she was utterly ignorant of this young
man’s feelings respecting herself. She
felt grateful to Holmes for the services
he had rendered at the trying time, and
fully appreciated the motive which had
prompted him to send a horseshoe woven
of white violets for the colonel’s funeral.
The design of this home-made floral of"
fering was somewhat incongruous with
the occasion, but Ina 'had found a place
for it in her chamber.

The day was bright and calm, and
taking her sketch-book she called her

dogs and started out into the grounds.
This chanced to be the day following
Holmes’ return from Wickham.

Excitement over the information he
had received, and perplexing theories
so occupied the young man’s mind that
he was unable to sleep that night, and
morning found him unfreshed and nerv-
ous. Feeling that a walk would be bene-
ficial, he strolled forth in the direction
of the woods where he frequently sat or
wandered. Soon after entering the
grounds he espied Miss Rehy seated be-
neath an elm tree, apparently sketching
from life, a huge Newfoundland dog be-
ing her model.

suppose you thi k me imprudent to be
here alone,” obs rved Ina, as Mr. Holmes
approached her with hat in hand.

“You seem well protected,” he an-
swered, glancing at the dogs; “ and, be-
sides, the fiend does not live that would
do you injury.”

“Murderers have no respect for age,
sex, or condition,” was the reply; “ at the
same time I do not feel afraid here; but
we never know at what moment some
misfortune may overtake us. I suppose
you have heard that Mr. Bloodgood had
a slight stroke of paralysis at Paris re-
cently? The steamer he was to return
on brought the news.”

But Mr. Holmes had not heard this,
nor was he informed of numerous other
incidents of a more agreeable character
which she related. He spent a delightful
half hour at her side, and as he rose to
go she mentioned the subject he pur-
posely had carefully avoided.

“Do you not think it strange,” she
asked, “that nothing has been discov-
ered to point to the man who killed my
uncle? ”

“ Do not call the assassin a MAN, Miss
Rehy! ” was the response. “ No one
worthy of the name could be guilty of
-such a cowardly and despicable act.
Murder will not always out, notwith-
standing the old saying. At the same
time I have strong hopes that the per-
petrator of this deed may yet be brought
to justice.”

“ Do, do tell me if you have heard any-
thing!” she exclaimed earnestly. “I
thought every one but ourselves had lost
interest in the matter.”

Oh, how the young man longed to tell
her how, for her sake alone, he had
given so many hours to physical and
mental toil in the very case in which she
fancied he had lost all interest!

He could not consider himself in pos-
session of information that might justify
him in speaking yet; but the beautiful
face was turned toward him with such
an anxious expression of hopeful inquiry
that he would have been less than hu-
man had he not answered:

“I can tell you nothing definite yet,

 

Miss Rehy, and I beg of you not to ask me.
But ever since the sad occurrence I have
been more or less occupied endeavoring
to find the guilty party, and I feel the
discoveries I have made warrant me in
saying that I am hopeful of ultimate suc-
cess. I tell you this much solely from
the belief that it may in a measure com-
fort you; and when I add that my one
chance of success may be made impos-
sible if my present avocation becomes
known, I need hardly ask for your prom-
ise to regard this as confidential.”

Joy is not the proper word to employ
in describing the emotion which Ina ex-
perienced when she received this unex-
pected news, the subject was far too se-
rious. At the same time it would have
been strange had not this intelligence
provoked a feeling of keenest interest
and anticipation.

Joy, however, is the proper and appro-
priate word to apply to the sensation Mr.
Holmes experienced when he observed
how much his statement had pleased
her. It is doubtful if the young man
might have done anything better calcu-
lated to raise him in the estimation of
Miss Rehy than had this confession of
the interest he had taken and the energy
he had exerted in the mysterious case
of her uncle. ‘

It seemed to them both that from that
instant a congeniality existed between
them which before had not been suspect-
ed—at the least, by one of them; and
the cordial handshake she gave him at
parting impressed Holmes with the sin-
cerity of her gratitude perhaps more
than had her well-chosen words which
amply repaid him for his good offices.
He went home with a light heart, feel-
ing that if no nearer to the solution of
the problem he was much nearer to the
one woman whom he loved.

But, was he not nearer to the goal than
he imagined? Difficult as it was to recon-
cile himself to the belief that a promi-
nent citizen and neighbor was the crim-
inal, yet the evidence he had acquired
all pointed so strongly to this one man
that Holmes was conscious that he did
not regard him as innocent, even while
loyally endeavoring to doubt his guilt.
Yet, ever and ever the troublesome
question would arise: “Why should he
kill the colonel? ”

Day after day, and night following
night, holmes tried in vain to find an
answer that to himself would be satis-
factory.

While not holding the belief enter—
tained by many that we invariably
dream of the things last thought of be—
fore sleep overtakes us, it is quite fre-
quently the case that we do dream of
things that have been constantly on our
minds for a time—things with which
we have been engrossed, desirous to ob-
tain or to overcome.

Holmes could recall more than one in-
stance when he slept that he had been
granted visions of this tragic scene. But
HE had always been the murdered man.
In this peculiar state, which for want
of better name we call dreamland,
Holmes had seen himself walking by the
large elm tree in the judge’s grounds;
then he had felt the sharp pain in his
back that occasioned the fall which al-'
ways awoke him.

So often had this same vision been re‘-
vealed that the young amateur detect-
ive was convinced that the real mur-
derer had concealed himself behind the
tree, and that, as the colonel passed, the
assassin slipped around and shot him in

 

the back. It might easily have been ac-

“After the recent terrible tragedy I-

«aims seamless Mailings»-

complished this way, the trunk of the
elm tree was large enough to shield
several men.

If, in his dream, he might be allowed
a glimpse of the assassin’s features he
might use the information thus obtained
to some purpose; but such a possibility
was too remote to contemplate.

Would it do to boldly charge the man
with the crime? supporting it by reciting
the finding of the sleeve-link and the
confession of the gun shop clerk?

Holmes asked himself this question
more than once, and then in fancy tried
to picture the result. No man guilty of
the crime of murder would quietly sub-
mit to being privately or publicly charged
with it when supported alone by circum-
stantial evidence that seemed weak and
incompetent. ’ '

The suspected man was over six feet
in height and of powerful frame. Holmes
felt that if he should charge him with
the crime the man would consider the
matter a joke at first, and later, as he
observed its serious nature, box his ears
for his audacious impertinence.

But desperate measures require des-
perate treatment. There seemed to be
no possible way open to Holmes to ob-
tain the information he desired save by
the plain blunt question:

“ Why did you kill Colonel Rehy? ”

Dare he put this to the touch to win

or lose all? Yes; for her sake he dare.

do anything, everything!

He would ask this man to his house,
where he had frequently been before, os—
tensibly to consult him respecting a small
piece of property. He would ask two
other men to be present shortly before
the hour appointed for the suspected
criminal. These two men were not to be
seen by the latter; but were to be hid-
den behind the portiere that separated
his parlor from his dining-room. But
every word spoken in the front room
might easily be heard by them. Then,
if, as Holmes ardently wished, the man
should commit himself, these men would
be important witnesses. If, on the other
hand, he should become indignant at
the accusation, and attempt to injure
Holmes, his friends in reserve would
come to his assistance.

feel any pride in its conception nor ar-
rangement; he knew it was crude and
faulty; but in the absence of a better
one his impatience and anxiety influ-
enced him to give this one a trial.

At the worst he could but fail; and in
the event of his winning, the possibili-
ties were so blissful to contemplate that
.the young man should be pardoned for
his rashness.

CHAPTER IV. "
THE AMAZING TRUTH.
Mr. Austin Bloodgood had returned.
No evidence of his recent illness was

 

apparent; he seemed in perfect health
and fine spirits. He greeted his friends
cordially, and related many interesting
incidents of his foreign trip.

He had stopped Dixon Holmes in the
street and chatted familiarly with him.
The latter had shown much embarrass-
ment when Mr. Bloodgood alluded to the
murder; evidently it was a matter he
preferred not then to discuss, although,
of course, it was the one subject upper-
most in his mind.

It was with a mingled feeling of hope
and fear that he dressed himself prepara-
tory to calling upon Judge Rehy. He had
concluded that the brother of the mur--
dered man would be a proper person to
witness what was about to occur in the
front room of his little home.

The judge greeted him kindly, and
listened attentively .to his request.
Holmes did not mention the character of
the “discussion,” as he expressed it,
which was to take place. He simply told
the judge that it was a subject which
would interest him intensely, and detain
him but a short time; that the judge
might name the day and hour which
would most suit his convenience.
Willing to humor him, and feeling that
the affair was to be a debate between
young men of the neighborhood, the
judge politely accepted, and named the
date.

‘Holmes next called upon Mr. Hep-
worth, the coroner, and had little diffi-
culty in persuading this official to meet
Judge Rehy, at his house, on the day
mentioned.

So far he had been fortunate. How
would he succeed in inducing his “ Ham—
let” to enter upon the scene?

This was not so difficult as it first ap-
peared. The man had frequently visited
Mrs. Holmes, the mother, and he had
known Dixon since his birth.

Without intimating that the matter
was ‘of importance he would write, ask-
ing him to call at his house on Thurs-
day at 2 o’clock. With these truthful
words the note closed: “I wish to con-
sult you on a subject that has caused
me much anxiety.”

To this Holmes received a prompt re-
ply that was in every way satisfactory.
The eventful day dawned. Holmes
was nervous and excited. To carry out
the programme which had been arranged
required courage, firmness, self-posses-
sion, and not improbably a modicum of
what may be termed justifiable prevari1
cation. Holmes felt that he would have
to impress the man with the belief that
he (Holmes) was better informed respect-
ing the murder than he really was. He
fancied his method might result in de-
veloping the fact he desired.

Mr. Hepworth arrived promptly, and
the judge a few moments later. Holmes
told them that he had a novel entertain-
ment in store for them. He explained
that it was not to be a pantomime; at
the same time he was obliged to ask
them to witness it from the other side
of the portiere. ‘

He arranged comfortable seats and
asked them to promise not to enter the
front room unless he called upon them
to do so. ,
Scarcely were the men seated when a
loud knock at the front door announced
the arrival of another. Hastily adjusting
the portiere, Holmes went to the door
and admitted the man to whom suspie
cion so strongly pointed.

Ushering his .visitor into the front

 

This plan did not cause Holmes to

room, Holmes closed the door behind
them, wishing from the bottom of his
heart that he had never become involved
in the affair. But it was too late for
regrets. His whole future life seemed
at stake, and he must nerve himself for
the occasion.
l Turning to the man who sat opposite
I him he said gravely, and in a voice that
his own mother might have failed to
recognize: “I sent for you to ask you
WHY you killed Colonel Rehy? ”

At this point a movement beyond the
_ portiere startled Holmes, and he coughed
l nervously.

“That is too serious a subject to jest
about, Dixon,” was the response. “ I had
hoped that before this time some clew
might have been discovered. But what
was the subject you wished to discuss? ”

“This very one,” answered Holmes.
“When the detectives agreed that Col-
onel Rehy had committed suicide, I re-
solved to find the murderer if possible.
I have in my possession the light colored
coat which the colonel wore; this gar-
ment plainly shows that he was shot in
the back. I have also in my possession a
sleeve—link picked up near to where the
colonel’s body lay. This sleeve-link bears
the letters A. B. in monogram. THOSE
ARE YOUR INITIALS, MR. AUSTIN
BLOODGOOD! Mr. Maxwell, a clerk
in a gun shop at Wickham, confessed to
me that he sold you a Derringer shortly
before the murder. It was a Derringer,
you may remember, that was found by the
icolonel’s side. These facts, Mr. Blood-

good, seem to justify my suspicion, and
also to warrant my asking the question.
But, lest you may deem this insufficient,
let me tell you that-you WERE SEEN
standing behind the large elm tree. As
Colonel Rehy passed, you WERE SEEN
to slip around and shoot him in the
back. You WERE SEEN rolling him
over and adjusting his hat after the fatal
bullet had fulfilled its mission.”

Breathless silence reigned in the back
room.' The judge was trembling with
suppressed excitement, and perspiration
stood out upon his forehead. Mr. Hep-
worth observed the judge’s agitation.

Holmes watched intently the man 'he
had accused. He had detected an ex-
pression of surprise upon his face when
he mentioned the sleeve-link; but that
had vanished. There was nothing in Mr.
, Bloodgood’s face nor attitude to indicate
|alarm or uneasiness. On the contrary,
{the smile visible upon his countenance
suggested some pleasant thought. He

stroked his whiskers meditativer for a

while and then spoke. —

“You deserve much credit, Dixon, for
the steps you have taken to unravel the
mystery, and the ingenuity you have dis-
played in arriving at conclusions. I

'judge this is the first time you have
played detective, and I am quite sincere
when I say your efforts’deserve praise.

; I am another who never for one moment
believed Colonel Rehy shot himself, and
I am as anxious as yourself to discover
the criminal. You may aid greatly in.
this direction by mentioning the name
of the individual who saw ME upon the
scene.”

Holmes was completely bewildered.
This dispassionate reply was not what he
anticipated, and he was endeavoring to
find a suitable answer when Mr. Blood-
good resumed:

“ I conclude that you meant I was seen
by the Deity; but you are in error. I
will now answer your question. I had
no reason whatsoever to kill Colonel
Rehy, nor did I kill him. I never owned
a sleeve-link bearing my monogram. The
Derringer I purchased at Wickham has
never been taken from the box I brought
:it home in. Furthermore, I chanced to
be in Boston on the day and evening of
the colonel’s death. His body had been
discovered before I alighted from the
‘ train at Rehyville.”

Poor Dixon! all his labor for nothing!
All his blissful dreams of the future
but air castles that were now tumbling
around him, and adding to his mortifica-
tion and confusion. Mr. Bloodgood was
a warm~hearted man, and he sincerely
sympathized with the poor fellow, who
he perceived was suffering keen disap-
pointment.

“Come, Dixon,” he said, “cheer up!
I’m glad you accused me, for it may open
the way to further developments. I will
now tell you what my observation has
taught me. I trust you firmly believe
me when I tell you on my honor that I
am innocent of the killing of Colonel
Rehy. I will tell you something more
that will occasion you greater surprise.
Nothing will convince me that COL~
ONEL Rehy is dead! ”

Mr. Bloodgood strongly emphasized the
title when making this statement.

An exclamation of surprise, and the
low murmur of voices from behind the
portiere was distinctly audible to
Holmes; but he was too astonished and
excited to heed such matters then.

“Why, what do you mean, Mr. Blood-
good! ” he exclaimed rising from his
chair. “I assisted in preparing Colonel
Rehy for burial.”

“ I do not like to contradict you, Dix-
on,” replied the other, “ but I must insist
that you did not. You may, however,
have assisted in preparing JUDGE Rehy
for burial.”

Numb with astonishment, dazed with
amazement, Dixon stood spell-bound.
Suddenly a loud noise, as of one falling
heavily in the back room caused Dixon
and Mr. Bloodgood to spring forward
and part the portiere.

As they did so, they saw Mr. Hepworth
endeavoring to raise Judge Rehy from
the floor. Mr. Bloodgood was greatly
surprised when his eyes met this tab-
leau. He recalled the grave charge that
had just been made against him, and ob~
serving the embarrassment of the coro—
ner and Holmes he was quick to suspect
the presence of Judge Rehy and Hep-
worth.

“ It is a painful mistake, gentlemen,”
he said, “ but I am not offended. Let me
assist in loosening his collar and in
placing him upon the sofa.”

This was done as carefully and as
quickly as willing hands could accom-
plish.

But in vain. The heart of the stricken
man had forever ceased to beat! His

 

 

 

face and neck, which at first had looked