The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 159: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MAJOR’S PLOT. 159 ‘‘He has a very disgraceful story to tell, Major Penrose,’’ said Mr. Medcroft, ‘‘ but I think you will agree with me that- he deserves some syim- pathy and some credit for making such a full confession.’’ Seeing that the interview had assumed a painful and embarrassing nature, Mr. Grimwood, Dock Dawson and Dick considerately went into another room. Then, with many tears, and in a husky, broken voice, Frank Barret repeated in the presence of the major the confession that he had roused Mr. Medcroft out of bed to make some few hours before. It is not necessary to repeat this in detail, for the reader is already acquainted with the sad story of Frank Barret’s crime. Briefly the lad told of his dealings with the false Major Penrose, omitting nothing whatever. “At nine o'clock tonight,’’ he added in conclusion, ‘‘I was coming down Front Street on my way to Gamper’s saloon to play a game of pool, and as I reached the dark alley that leads down into Market Square be- tween Walnut and Market Streets, I saw a man creep over from the park and dodge into the alley. His collar was up about his throat, but I recog- nized him at a glance. It was the man I have always known as Major Penrose. I concluded to follow him—don’t know why—and I kept close to him all the way to the square. A Herdic coach was standing in front of the Bolton House, and before I could get near he had dodged into this and was driving up Second Street. In front of the 7elegraph office a big crowd was collected. ‘They were reading the last edition of the paper that was pasted on the inside of the window. I pushed forward and saw the startling account of the Lewisberry crime. ‘“ At first I didn’t know what to do. Then I made up my mind to do the only thing that seemed possible. I went straight to Mr. Medcroft’s house and made a clean breast of it all. He brought me right down here, and I told my story to Mr. Burns. I have gone terribly wrong I know—all on account of fast living. I went into bad company ; I learned to drink and gamble; to frequent the theaters ; I joined several clubs, and I had to dress well—these things took more money than I could earn, and I went down before the first temptation that came in my way. ‘Do what you please with me, only—only think a little of my mother, of my sister. What will they think when they know all—oh, how can I endure the misery and the disgrace Here the wretched boy broke down completely, and his convulsive sobs melted the hearts of every one present. ‘“The path of the transgressor is hard,’’ murmured Mr. Medcroft softly, and then no one spoke for a moment. ‘Time presses, gentlemen,’’ said Chief Burns, in a hard, dry voice. ‘‘I must tell you what has been accomplished, and then we can decide on our course of action. Immediately on receipt of this information, I sent out and questioned all the drivers of the Herdic coaches. ‘The right man was soon found. He had taken up a passenger in front of the Bolton House and let him off in the neighborhood of Third and Cumberland Streets. This was Eomicbdooks 5}