Pittston Gazette

              9 £ k 1 •  Katubliirfird 1K50. I Vol. XLV11, No. 3rt. f Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. P1TTST0N, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1897. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. M-r VC-« i In Ailvinj e FRpAA UE TO (UMAX. VVhidby crossed the street ana entered t.he restaurant on the corner. He took a seat at the table farthest from the door and ordered some eggs, coffee, rolls and butter; but be found that he bad no appetite, and he drank his coffee when it was so hot that it burnt his lips. Then he bought a newspaper and sat for ten minutes gazing at it ab- the front room. I don't feel like goinp out; my head aches, and I don't seem to have my wit® about me. 1 could not rest in my old room with the undertaker in the other." I put his head into a halter." "Pooh!" said the young man, uneasily. "It seems like confessing to guilt to keep back anything bearing ou the case." night, but be found ttie dooD- closed aim locked. couldn't say a word. Presently he said " 'liather nasty tamper he has, Matthews. My friend was a little upset, but he would have come around all right. You frightened him away with that pistol.' one else to otter it." repnea Airs, uoundtree, plaintively. "Why. dear, he was near enough to have killed you when he put that note into your pocket." as she came up the steps. As lier n_.* ban/I approached her. siie ret reoted into the shadow of the waH near the door. Then suddenly she broke into a low, mechanical laugh. Elearing the voices of t'be undertakenand his men in Strong's room, he entered it. The men looked up from the • oftin at him, and Ilodsvon. the undertaker. bowed and said good morning as SVarrenton approached and looked at the dead man's face. II/ I \\ mauthorw I I \ \\ \ MARIE" /y /1 W \ ■^■,VL'10S,T pf«suAOfcO' }' l l \\ lIV'AnifTt tONFESJOR" i Y / / \ )■ B'Tne LANO OF TM6 / J I I \ y 1h CHANC'Nfc SON* ETC "You are not cnppble of seeing what is lDe«t for you to-ilay. my boy. Don't CCay anything about it for awhile, anyway, at least, uot till 1 see you again." "All right; 1 can pfomise that," sakl W hid by. as he shook hands with the "TTe is not that sort of criminal," said Lilian, to the surprise of the others. "He will never kill anyone in open daylight on the street, where he might be seen. As the murderer says in his letters, the secret lies in that sinile on Mr. Strong's face. Dr. Kramer saw the body, and he said this afternoon that, he had never heard of anyone being killed with just such a facial expression. Itis my opinion that you'll have to go dpep into psychical phenomena to get at the mystery." CHAPTER III, " 'Didn't he strike you, master?' I asked. 'I thought 1 heard you fightin*.' And then I noticed a bruised spot on his forehead which showed mighty plain umier his white hair an* on his pale skin. He snw me lookin' at it. and put his hand over it, but he was so excited he couldn't keep from showin' that he didn't want to let me know what the cause of the trouble was. "The truth is," she said, seeing that the others were waiting for an explanation of her actions, "I came near having an adventure. I saw a man climb over the fence down by the rosebushes. I knew he had no business there, and—" BY As Whidby ascended tbe stairs in the bull, Matthews admitted one of tbe undertakers and his assistants und snowed them into Strong's room. Uuidliy went into the bedroom above, closed the door, threw himself on u lounge, and shut his eyes, in a lew minutes be began to feel less nervous. A i estful sensation stole over him, and he feit sleepy. Suddenly his mind reverted to what seemed a vague dream of the night before. Was it u dream, or could it have been reality? lie sprang up. quivering all over with excitement, but the more he thought of it the more the memory evaded him, till in desperation be sat down on tbe lounge and buried his face in his hands. Just then lie beard a step in the bull, and some one rapped on his door. WillN On his return home he found the yard filled with a crowd of curious people. Some of them flood on the veranda near the windows. The door was closed. Whidby tried the knob, but it wa« locked. Turning, he saw Matthews coming round the corner of the house. sently "I've never seen anything like that «mile, colonel." said Ilodson. "and I've heen in this business over 20 years. Ft ivas all 1 could do to get m.v men to go to work when they first saw him. We tried to close his eye#; but the lids are as stiff aR whalebone." lawyer. Harbe VVhidby continued to pace the floor nf the room until Matthews rapped a' "You went down there?" her mother gasped. the dorr. "What is it now?" asked Whidby, ad- The girl laughed coldly and drew a revolver from beneath her shawl. "I ran up and got Fred's revolver. I waa not afraid. 1 knew—I don't know how J knew it, but I was sure he was not armed, and that if I could catch him I could frighten him into submission." She swung the revolver to and fro skillfully in her strong fingers. "But ho got away. lie sprang over the fence and ran as soon as he saw me. 1 would have fired at him, but I knew he was beyond range, and that the report would frighten you out of your wits." mitting him. The colonel shuddered at the coarseness of the man's words. "How do you explain the smile?" he asked. "Capt. Welsh asked me to semi you in at the rear door," the man said. "They're goin' to hold a Inquest on "im." A lady in the library to see you. " 'That fellow was drunk,' master said. '1 think his mind is wrong, too, a little. Yes, he did strike me, and 1 reckon you were right to come when you "Hush, Lilian; I don't like to hear you tc'k that way," said Mrs. Roundtree. "I have never approved of your reading the Iwoks you read." fir." "A lady to see me? Who is it?" "I took her to be Miss Delmar, sir." "Annette—Mies Del max? You must ftf f H KIN* Whidby followed the gardener into tho house. How be disliked to sec the "1 can't explain it at all," answered the undertaker. "I don't think such a thing ever happened before." did.' I.e mistaken." "Then he asked me, if I was sure my pistol was loaded, and told me to sleep in his room, and see that the windows auu all the doors were locked." "You object to my reading anything which is really new and progressive," said the young wife, pettishly. "The world would stand still if we did not study the new sciences—if we did not allow ourselves to think on new lines." I think not, sir." Warrenton bent over the coffin for a moment, "It seems to me to be a "Tell her I will be down at once." Whidby turned to a mirror and stared his hugtfard features and dishevelled Jiair. "1 wonder what she want," lie said to himself, as Matthews 9oftly closed the door, '"l b't is do place for her Poor girll She has heard the reports. and con Id not wait." genuine smile, unmixed with any sensation of pain, or even surprise." "Was that all?" asked the colonel, deeply interested. I Copyright. 1896. bD J B Llppincott Co.] lie rose and went to the door. It was "He was laughing, colonel, if ever a man laughed in his life. I ainft particularly superstitious. I once unscrewed a box and let a man out that had passed for dead 36 hours. I was alone with it at midnight. Yon can bet that gave me a shock: but. frankly. I'd hate to spend a night with this one." "Yes, sir. except he made me promise not to mention the affair to Mr. Whidby nor anyone else. I'm sure he didn't sleep a wink that night, for 1 heard him rollin' and tumblin' in bed, an' he'd get up every now and then and cautiously look out of the window." "It seems to me, sister." remarked Marion, "that you have talked more about the murder than anyone else. The young man turned and walked round the bed for another look at Strong's face. Surely, he thoDight. that weird smile and the twinkle in the dead man's eyes were the most remarkable things ever connected with a murder case. Re could not bear to look at the face, so he went into his own room. He wondered what had caused him to oversleep. He went to his bed and smelt the pillows to pee if he could detect traces of chloroform. He had decided that he could not have been drugged, when the bell of a passing car caught hlit ear. He knew that the car had stopped in front of the house by the whirring, chromatic sound as it started on again. Then he heard srte-ps on the veranda and "went to the door. "Col. Warreuton is dowstairs, sir. and wantw to see you." Matthews. The group stood motionless and silent for a moment. Then Fred Walters drew a lor.p breath, as he stepped towards his wife witn extended hand. CHAPTER I. The milkman left a can of milk on the front veranda and drove on to the next house in the street. The Iceman came tlong half an hour later, looked curiously at the closed door, as he unfastened the hooks from a block of ice, and rapped loudly on the step, but no one "Send him up here," said Whidby. "1 don't care to go down." i )e»ceiid ing the stairs and turn ing Into the library, Whidhy found the visitor *';yiding at a window looking into the vii rCt. "Give it to me," he said, in a strange, imperative tone. lu a moment Col. Warrenton entered He was a short, middle-aged man. with it red tace and irou-gray hair. He put nD$ silk hat on a table and gave Whidby I.is hand. "Whidby slept in that room, didn't he?" asked the lawyer, glancing indifferently towards the portiere. "After that, did jou see anything to indicate that Mr. Strong was ever frightened or greatly excited about anything?" With a sudden look of defiance, she held the revolver behind her, and as he drew nearer she threw jt over the balustrade into the flower-beds. "Annette!" he exclaimed, as she turned, und he advanced to her with extended hands. came to answer bis call, An hour later a young man sleeping in the front room downstairs awoke «G SEsssssrts SMS "I was dumfounded by the news." he Duid. "We are such good friends that I waived all and came r.ght "Oh. Alfredl" she cried, softly, as she put her hands Into his. "I am so sorry about this." Then she saw bis face In 'he light from the windows, and shrank lDnek in amazement. "Why. why, you are ill! You look—1 never saw you look so hadly. What is tfhe'tnatwr?" "Yes. sir. but the indications are that the deed was done very quietly. Perhaps Mr. Whidbv was drugged." "Nothin", sir, except he bought a fine watchdog, the one tliut died last winter, you know. He was always interested in him, and particular about leavin' him unchained at night. Then 1 do seem to remember that now and then master would get a letter that would excite him somewhat. .They always came in strange-looking blue envelopes. Once when I gave him one at breakfast he turned pale when be opened it, and didn't finish catin'." "I did not mean to do that," she cried, impulsively, then she was doggedly silent. suddenly and sat up in bed. He was round Ilodson turned to give some orders (o his men. The'colonel went into Whidby's room and let the curtain fall behind him. The room had not been put' to rights. A chair stood between the portiere and the bed. Tt® back was towards him. W listened, flodson was still talking to his men, and the colonel could hear them using their tack-hammers. Quickly and stealthily he stepped to t.he chair and turned its hack to the light from the window. He found what he feared was there—a faint smear of blood just where Whidby had causrht the chair with his riCrht hand. astonished to note that the sunlight on the carpet extended from the window far Into the room, indicating that the sun had risen above the tall buildings across the street. He felt a strange heaviness in bis bead, and a desire to lie down again, but he shook off the feeling and rose and began to dress. "I'm glad you did. old man," returned Whidby. "Sit down, aud excuse me if I am not entertaining. The truth is. I ;un badly broken up over this affair. Something is wrong with me; I nui not myself at all." Fred Walters went down the steps, picked up the. revolver, and came back examining tt in the light* r "It's loaded," he said under his breath, to the mayor. "I have bad od awful time of it," be said. drawing her into his arms. "1 niipi»ose I show it. But why did you couie heiv? Why didnl you waitV 1 wiis coming round as (toon as ponsibte." fy-i "Of course it's loaded," the girl blurted out. "Do you think I'd go down there to meet a—a red-handed murderer with an unloaded revolver?" Then, with a deep flush on her face, she passed through the light at the door and resumed her seat in the rocking chair before the window. * 9 The visitor's glance wandered aimlessly about the room in the silence that followed Wbidby's remark. Then the colonel said: What-could be the matter? The little clock on his dressing case pointed to ten. What had caused him to oversleep? Why had Mr. Strong not waked him as usual? The old man was always up with the sun. and had never allowed him to sleep later than eight. The young man hurriedly put on bis trousers, thrust his feet Into his slippers. and drew aside the portiere that hung between his room and his uncle's. Strong's bed was in the righthand corner of the room, and Whidby could see the beck part of his heed and one CHAPTER H It was Capt. Welsh, the chief of police. and Mr. Minard Hendricks, the detective from New York. The latter scarcely nodded wihen he was introduced 10 Whidby. Hisfharp. gray eyes, under maswive, shaggy brows. rested on the key which he had just heard Whidby t urn in J he lock. "I couldn't wait, dear." she said. "1 simply should have gone mad. 1 knew Col. Warren ton rose and knocked the ashes from his cigar. " l•ok." he cried to Ua, "here to some of it m •» caff." "You need not tell me anything. I have heard all about it from ( apt. Welsh. He and I have been intimate friends for years. You have not asked for my advice, but, I love you like a brother, and I don't want to see you run your head into trouble for the lack of a lawyer's opinion." "I've got an appointment downtown," he said. "See here, Matthews, don't say anything about what you have told me. I am investigating a little on my own account in this matter and 1 don't want anyone to know it. Hold your tongue, end I'll see that you don't lose anything by it." body again, and the strange smile on the dead man's facel Hut there was no help for it. He must do what he could towards bringing the criminal to justice."Enough to draw the halter around his neck." thoncht the lawyer. "T hope it escaped that detective's eye." He had just replaced the chair, when the portiere was drawn hack and Hodson looked in. "My darling—" began Mrs. Roundtree, finding her voice at Jast, and advancing towards her. "Has no one been out at this door this morning?" he asked, abruptly. fha next moment they beard bar playing oa bei "Don't call me pet names!" broke in the young wife. "Women are such weak beings that the moment one of us does a sensible thing she is reproved. I am not afraid—really afraid—of any creature that ever walked on the earth. I only did what Fred or papa would have done. Why, I am a better shot than Fred, and he knows it. Let's talk of something else." The atmosphere of Strong's room was so close that Whidby could hardly breathe, and the peilume from the conservatory sickened him. The coroner and his jury had arrived, indeed, they seemed to be waiting for him. He sat down near a window. He wondered what they would esk him. and if he could make intelligent replies. "No." stammered Whidby—"yes; that is. I came to answer the ring of a ntwsboy a moment ago." "Why «!DD I n.id legal advice?" askei Whidb.v. nervously, "In what way? 1 don't understand." A few minutes later the colonel was in his office downtown. He had just begun the dictation of a letter to his stenographer when he heard the crj of a newsboy in the street. Since we have been out. here, I have noticed that mother has changed the subject three times, but some remark ol yours has always brought the conversation back to it." ft "I beo- pardon, colonel, but ("apt. Welsh aked me to allow no one to come in here. I thought you went into t.he hall." side if his gray whiskers. W Idby calied to him softly, but "And you locked the door after he left ?" The lawyer drew his chdir nearer to the young uian, who was seated 011 the lounge, and laid bis hand on hiskriee. "Yes." "Extra.! Extra Morning News! New developments in the Leighton avenue murder case! Extra! Extra!" Strong did not stir. Whidby called ' Why did you do it?" The detective's ey«v w ere roving about the veranda, hall and yard, but bis tone sounded sharp and to the point. Whidby felt that he waa waiting for a reply. "Of course it is absurd to think of vour being concerned in Strong's deal h. Alfred." he lDegan; "but I am obliged, through the force of habit, to look at such affairs from a professional standpoint. I know you are innocent: but innocent men have been banged before this, and 1 have seen men put on trial for murder with less circumstantial evidence against them than there is against you." "I was just wondering how Whidby could have slept so snnndly unless he was drugged." Mid the colonel. "I would not have come in if I had thought it was forbidden. Whidby and I are so intimate, you know. I feel as if I were at home here." "Brother, you know that is a deliberat—it is not true," Lilian retorted, ■ngrily. again, and stamped his foot, but still the old man remained motionless. "That's queer." murmured Whidby. as be approached the bed. Strong's face was towards the window; bis eyes were open: a ghastly smile was on his face. Be was dead. Whidby saw that by the Without another word the mayor and his wife and son left Fred Walters with Lilian and went Into the drawing-room. The coroner opened the proceedings with a few words tothe jury, and Whidby thought they stared at him furtively whenever his name was mentioned Then his testimony was called for. and Whidby felt that he was relating word for word the account he had given Hendricks a short while before. The colonel went to the door quickly, and returned reading a newspaper still damp from the press. Under large, sensational headlines he read a detailed account of a circumstance that seemed to beDar strongly on the murder of the night before. No less than 25 typewritten notes had been picked up in different parts of the city early that morning; they had been found on the sidewalks, under the doors of private residences, in the j-ards of unoccupied houses, in the mail boxes by letter-carriers, behind the counters of sh«ps, and one in the coat pocket of Mr. William Iioundtree, the mayor, who hod declared to a reporter that it must have been put there while he was wearing the coat. "I must say I thought so too, dear," Interposed Fred Walters. "Don't you remember mother said something about the services at church to-night? Well, before anyone had time to reply you began talking again about whether it could be proved that Whidby had not been out of the house to distribute the notes." "I don't know," replied the young man. helplessly. "I suppose I was excited. and it seemed to me that it would be best to keep curiouB people out till you t-ame." "She has always been a strange creature," sighed Mrs. Roundtree, "but she has never acted so queerly before. Oh, I'm very much afraid she and Fred will not get along well together. They ars so different. Don't you think he looked a little vexed just now, dear?" "Oh. no harm done," said the undertaker. as he held the curtain nside for Wairrenton to pass out. awful pallor of his face, which made each hair of the beard stand out as If under a magnifying glass. For a moment Whidby stood as if turned to •tone: then be drew down the sheet, which had been drawn up closely under the old man's chin, and saw the long deep gash in the throat and the dark clrvts of the blood which had soaked into the mattress. "I mm Mrry akMrt tfcta." "Certainly." replied CaptD Welsh; but the detective went on with a frown: The detective rose next and told in careful detail how the police bad been called to the telephone by Whidby and first informed of the murder: how the young man had met him and Welsh at the door, and what was said about whether the door was locked. He spoke of the blood stain on Whidby'• hand and produced the cuff with the drop of blood on it. It was his opinion, he said that the cuff could not have been wor at the time it received the drop, nor f at least half an hour afterwards, for. as the jury could see, the blood had dried in such a shape as to prove that it had remained motionless for some time. Mr Whidby had said that the you could explain." 8he shuddered. "Where is it?—your utiele, I mean." He nodded towards the room across the hall. The colonel went into the hall and turned Into the parlor. Here he looked about aimlessly for a moment, and then, seeing an open door which led to the servants rooms in the rear, he parsed Lilian seemed to forget her anger In her interest in the subject. She rose nnd stood in the doorway. "As far as that is concerned," she said, with animation, "Whidby could have had an iccomplice. It was a strangely dramatic thing the way he called up the police at the telephone and remained with the corpse till they came, noteven allowing the servant to enter. If he is guilty, he is at least original. In these days of masculine stupidity it would be a pity to execute an original man. I never could see why murderers should be such short-sighted fools. I read the other day of a man who shot another down and went to the jail pretending to be insane to escape punishment, nowmuch more effective would it have been if be had systematically pretended to be insane a month or so before he committed the? deed!—I mean if he had done little things which would scarcely cause remark at the time, but which, coupled with the crime afterwards, would have pointed conclusively to insanity. If I wanted to drown myself in the river, and did not want anyone to think it was done intentionally, I would first do a great many things to make it look as if I had never dreamed of such a thing. I would moke engagements, leave things unfinished, as if 1 intended to return to them the next moment, and—" "More surprised than anything else, I thought," replied the mayor. "Was the door unlocked when you opened it for the newsboy ?" "1—I'm afraid I can't remember," answered Wbidbv. Wbidby brushed back his disheveled hair with a quivering band, and Btared at bis friend Just then Fred and his wife passed the door, going towards the stairs. "There are two sides to the question." Lilian was saying. "Would you mind keeping yours to yourself?" "You mean that I may yet be accused V "lu there. The undertakers have it in charge." out "That is unfortunate," said Hendricks. "Where is the body?" She drew more closely to him. In a little room adjoining the kitchen he found Matthews. "It all depends on Hendricks," the colonel interrupted. "He is the brightest mau in his line in the world. If he gets on the track of the real criminal, you are all right, and not a soul will accuse you: but If bis investigations should be confined to this bouse It might grow very unpleasant for you. It struck me that this view of the case might not occur to you. and that is the reason 1 am here. You see. it is well that I came of my own accord, for if you had sent for me it might have an ugly look." "This is certainly a proof of my love. Alfred." she said, smiling faintly. "There never lived a soul with a greatei horror of such things than 1 have, and vet ! came. No. 1 could not wait. You kuow how papa ia. He never had much fuilh in you anyway, and this morning when he U*ard the news down town hf came right borne to see me. Oh, hf acted shamefully I 1 hate to think that 1m- is my father. 1 could not tell you all he sakl." Whidby was strangely calm. In an instant be bad decided on a course of action. He stepped to the telephone across the room, and looked oveir the directory; then be rang, and held the receiver to his ear. "This way." replied W'bidby. "The second door on the right." "I want to see you. Matthews," said the colonel. "I want to ask you some qties« " s. Mr. Whidby is so excited and upset that I don't wish to disturb him. and yet I must get some light on this subject." Fred looked in with a flushed faoe. "We are going to bed," he said. "She will be all right in the morning. 1 bad no business to teach her to shoot." The detective opened the door, and the others followed him to the bed He looked long and silently at the faor of the dead man; then he said: "Has anyone touched this sheet since you discovered the murder?" The wording of all the notes was exactly the same, and ran as fellows: CHAPTER VL "Hello." he said, "that's the central offlce. isn't It? Well, all right; one seventy-six on four eighty-two. please." "Well, what is it?" presently 'came from the telephone. "I don't know much about it. sir." replied the gardener. "I've told all I know to the jury." "Nobody will ever discover who murdered Richard N. Strong. It will be useless to try The secret lies in the smile on the dead man's face. Who put It there, and how was it done? These questions will remain unanswered till the end of time. But this is not all. Before long others will wear the dead, white smile. Late in the night Mrs. Roundtree was awakened by a light touch on her brow. "I drew it do«n to see w here he was wounded. If I had thought—" The colonel sat down on a window-till and lighted a cigar. "No matter," replied the detective, f and he lifted the sheet and examined the ga«%h. Then he replaced it carefully, and aeDked: "How was the sheet arranged when you fonnd him?" shirt w ith the cuff attached had laiu ou a chair near his bed ail night. "It is I, mamma; don't be frightened." And Lilian sat down on the side of the bed. "I have not been able to sleep for—for my words this evening. If you will forgive me I can go back to bed and sleep." "Is that police headquarters?" Iler voice had sunk into a whisper, and she hid her pretty face on his dboul der to keep him from seeing the tears in her eyes. "You can trust me. yon know, Matthew*. I am an old friend of the family.""Yes." "1 am Alfred Whidby, 278 Leigh ton Then the coroner called for Whhlby's nightshirt, and the jury passed it from one to the other and examined it carefully. At that moment Whidby rose to call attention to the blood on the portiere and on the corner of the sheet, which he thought Hendricks and t apt. Uflfh had forgotten to mention, but the coroner ordered him, rather coldly, to sit down. ONE WHO KNOWS HIS BUSINESS." s-enne. A horrible thing has occurred The young man rose and began to walk to and fro across the room, "lam very much obliged." he sighed. "I never dreamed of being suspected. Matthews said that after I left the room during the inquest something was brought up about the blood stain on my hand and uncle's will; but that did not trouble me." Oh, 1 know that, sir, well enough." "You have been in Mr. Strong's service a long time, Matthews, and you may now remember some things that you did not think of when you were testinR For instance, have you any recollection of ever having seen anything which might tend to show that Mr Strong had an enemy?" Col. Warrenton hurriedly read the rest of the sensational article, then threw aside the paper, and went down the street for two or three squares and tp to the oftiee of the mayor. He sent, hi his card, and was admitted at once. Mr. Iioundtrce was writing at his desk, but he rose, and drew a chair near him for his friend to sit down. here during the night. I have jtj*t dis• covered that my ancle, Mr. Strong— Pichard N. Strong, the banker—has N»en murdered. Come and attend to it* "Just as it is now, I think." said Whidby. "Just as if the murderer had replaced it with both hand*, one on each side, as you. did." "What did he say?" asked Whidby, "Oh. he says they think you did it. lie says there is undoubted evidence against you." Mrs. Roundtree drew her face down and kissed it. "There is nothing to forgive, darling," she answered. "But why have you got on that heavy wrap, and—w hy, I declare, it's damp! Have you—surely you have not been out again ?" The girl drew herself up stiffly and was silent for a moment. The room was faintly lighted by the moonbeams; but Mrs. Roundtree could not see her face. There was a silence, broken by a low. Indistinct murmuring as if people were talking at the other end of the wire; then the reply came: "Stand where you are." Hendrick* suddenly ordered. He raised the window-«bade. went down on his hands and knees, and made a minute examination of the carpet. Then he rose and sur ?eyed the room. "Where did you sleep?" be asked. V\ hid by was silent for a moment, drawing his breath rapidly, and look iug more careworn than ever. He raised her face with a trembling hand and looked into her eyes. Matthews was next called, but be could testify to nothing except that be slept in the cottage behind the house and bad not waked during the night. Then the ooroner requested W'bidbv and Matthews to leave the room, and Whidby went into the library across the hull and closed the door behind him. Col. Warrenton's glance followed his friend's form back and forth for a moment; then he said: "I just ran in to see about that note fou got." said the lawyer. "Is it a fact that you found it in your pocket?" "All right; aa aoan as we can get there." Matthews stared at the lawyer for a moment in silence and then sat down on a chair and folded his hands nervously over his knees. "l'shaw! Didn't be know that tne coroner's jury gave a verdict thatthat uncle met his death at the handsol come person unknown?" Then Whidby hung up the receiver and rang the bell. He went back into hia room, put on his shirt, collar and necktie, and brushed hia hair. His head still felt heavy and ached a little. The electric cars were whirring past the house, and a blind man was playing an accordion a few doors away. There waa a crunching step on the graveled walk near bis window. Whidby raised the sash and looked out. It waa Matthews, the gardener. "I'ardon me, my boy. but do you really know if you got the blood on your hand from the sheet, or from the portiere? Is your memory clear on that point?" The mayor thrust his right hand into the pocket of his sack coat. "He put it right there, colonel. I could show it to you. but I sent it to the police. I thought it was the only one till I read the extra just now." Whidby {Minted to the portiere. "In that room." "1 can't say 1 have, colonel." he said: "and yet—well, you know, my mnster W'as a very excitable, suspicious sort of "No, 1 have not been out," she said, hesitatingly at first, and then, speakiiig more rapidly, "but I have been sitting' at the open window, and the dewmay have fallen on me from the vines." The detective drew the heavy cur tains aaide. "Yes. but he said you were going to be tried for the crime, and that it war the general opinion you'd be found guilty. He said your movement*! were watched by the police, and that yoi. could not escape. I stood up for you and we had some hot words. He for bade me to receive you at home, ann so I stole away and came here. Nothing on earth would make me think you cculd do such u thing, and I know you will establish your innocence." "Oh, bush, my child!" interrupted Mrs. Roundlree. "What can make yciu say sucb things? I have never heard you talk so peculiarly." "YoU came through here this morn i ng ?" he asked. "Yes." He sat down and tried to collect his thoughts, but it waa impossible. Half aji hour went by. He heard the jury tramp through the ball, cross the veranda and go out at the gnte. Then Matthews rapped on the door. "No; I did not notice it till 1 started to wash my hands. In fact, the detective called my attention to it. I must have been very much excited, or 1 would have noticed a thing like that; but, old man, my head is in such a whirl that I do not know what I am saying. 1 overslept, and feel as if 1 had been drugged. Besides"—Whidby stopped at the colonel's side and put bis hand on his shoulder—"besides, to tell the truth, something has come into my mind since I have been in this room—something 1 did not remember at the inquest. Perhaps I ought to tell the jwlice about it. since I did not think of it when testifying. As I was lying down just before you came up. something flashed into my mind like a dream. I seemed to recall walking about my room and being half waked by stumbling over a chair near my bed. I caught the chair to steady myself, and half remember that my shirt, which I had thrown on the chair when f went to bed, fell on the a man." "How could it have got into your pocket?" asked Warrenton. "Have you been in any crowds to-day ?" "Well, he was, sir. He used to have spHls of it. sir—spells I call 'em. He didn't seem able to sleep well at time*. He has once in aw hile had me sleep on the floor at the foot of his bed." "I never knew that." Hendricks looked at Whidby's bed "Slept later than usual this morning eh'?" he asked. "Everything is peculiar to mamma," the girl coldly laughed. as she turned into the drauii.p-room. The next moment they heard her playing on her violin. It was a strange, wedrd air, and she played it with skill and power. The others listened silently for a few mo nients; then Mrs. Uoundtree 6aid to the "But why have you been up. dear?" "Several, as it happened. At the post office this morning there were a gr*««t many people waiting for the mail. I stopped at the Imperial hotel in a throng of politicians, and at the cornei of Main and Broad streets 1 was in a crowd around the driver of a cabwhC had been thrown against a lamppost and considerably injured. It could have been put into my pocket at any one of those places without my knowing it." "Because I could not sleep and did not want to disturb Fled by my restlessness. And—and then, mother, to tell the truth, I was not certain that| the man I saw might not come booty again. Now, don't be frightened, bull I am pretty sure that it was the rnur-i derer, and that he has designs against! us. It would be the most natural thing) in the world. Father's offer of a big! reward is like an open challenge to him. The man who wrote those notes and dia that deed is deep and cunning, and j don't believe he'll be easily caught." Mrs. Boundtree sat up In bed ancj put her arm around her daughter. "Oh, dear, you don't know how miserH able your talk makes me. You speak} and act so queerly! Go back to bed  try to sleep. You have thought of allj this till it has unnerved you." The girl coldly drew herself from hell mother's embrace and stood away froxoj her. "Yes; I don't know what was the "Come in." said W'bidby Seeing Whidby, he touched his hat, stopped, and asked after Mr. Strong. Whidby made no reply, but sat down on the window-sill and stared at the old man. He was wondering if the police would prefer for him to keep the news from the gardener. It was the look of slow astonishment coming into Mat* t hews' eyes that made him decide what to SBf. matter with me. 1 felt heavy-headed and dizzy when 1 awoke." "Two undertakers are waitin" outside. sir," said the aervant. "They both want the job. I toi' 'em I'd see you about it." "Not often, sir. but perhaps twice a year, or thereabouts." "Ah! Is that so'."' ('apt. Welsh nodded knowingly, but ■aid nothing. Whidby made no reply. He wa» thinking, with a heavy heart, of the dream-like impression he had recalled of being up in the night, and of rhe blood-stain on his hand. To avoid the girl's searching eyes, he turned and led her to a sofa. "Do you recall anything that might have caused him uneasiness at those times?" "You telephoned as «oon as you dl*- "Llse your judgment; engage one of them. 1 can't attend to it." Whidby called to the old man as he was closing the door. "What was the verdict of the jury?" he asked. mayor covered the body?" Hendricks went on. "Yes." "We really must not talk about that affair before her; her mind has been dwelling on it all day. She has been to me three times to say that it would be quite natural for such a criminal to desire to be revenged on you for offering the reward. She tries to hide her interest in the subject, but il shows itself every minute. She was so eager to hear the news that she went down to the gate to meet the newsboy with the afternoon paper, and I had to speak to her twice to get her attention after she had read the account of the crime. Listen to her music! Can't you detect her nervousness in her playing? She doesn't play that way usually. Hush! she has stopped!" "Well. 1 did have a sort of idea that he might 'a' brought home some money lind wax afraid o' bein' robbed of it." "Where do you get your meals?*' "What do you think ought to be lone?" asked the colonel. "Here, usually; but to-day the cook is away on leave of absence. Uncle and I were going over to the Randolph, the restaurant on the corner, for our meals till she returned." "Met his death by the hand of some person unknown, sir. They called me l»ock to open the windows, and 1 stayed." "Can you remember ever having seen anyone about just before or after those I pel Is?" "What is the matter?" she asked, taking his hand in both of hers when they were seated, and anxiously stroking it "You seem absent-minded. You are not like yourself." "I think the villain ought to be mi down at all costs." was the reply. "I have just sent out a circular to be post ed, in which I offer in the name of thC city, $5,000 for his capture." "Matthews," he said, "something has happened; 1 can tell you that much, but that is all. I have telephoned the lDolice; you'd better not come in till they get here. If I were you I'd go on with my work; the row bushes near the fountain need trimming." Matthews was silent, deep in thought for a moment, then he said: "Have you eaten anything this morning?""Ah, you remained in there?" Matthews opened the door a little wider and stood in the opening. "Your name came up mighty often, sir. after you went out." "Yes, 1 do remembersomet hin' rather C-dd, sir. It was when .Mr. Wb'dby was at the seashore in the summer, and mas ter was makin' me sleep in Ins room every night while he was goue. One evenin' master told me he was look in for a visitor to see him on important business, and that 1 was to stay bacK here till he left." "I am awfully done up. Annette." he answered. "You don't know what I have gone through. I am acting on the advice of Col. Warrenton. He is sure that he can pull me out of tbis. though even he soys I am in danger unlessunless the real criminal can be traced " "A good idea." said Warrenton. "PC you know this detective Hendricks?" "No." "Well, you'd better go; we'll look after everything and telephone the coroner " Matthews stared and started to speak, but Whidby withdrew, sat down on the side of his bed and tried to collect bis thought*. Suddenly he was roused by • sharp ring at tbe door bell. YVbidby's heart sank, and be was all in a quiver, bat he rose calmly and went to tbe door. It w»s a boy with the morning paper. Be held also a bill in his band, and wanted to collect tbe money due to blm for delivering the paper for tbe month pwrt, but Whidby sent him away, and stood for several minutes in th»D doorway watching tbe crowd passing in the street. Then he closed the door, and went Into bis uncle's room and walked restleasiy to and fro at the foot of tbe bed. Suddenly he stopped at tbe telephone and rang the bell. "By reputation only. I understand he is the sharpest fellow alive 'a hiD particular line. I am glad he happened to be in town. You know he refused tD come, here just after the McDouga murders, he has so much to do in thelarger cities. Hut I think he's interested in this case. They say he's like a bloodhound: when he smells blood he can't stop till he has run something down. By the way, he has bound lis to secrecy. He says he will drop the case the moment it gets into the papers that "My name? What did they Bay about me?" floor. It seems to me that 1 picked up the shirt and replaced it, and then went back to bed. I know the shirt was on the chair when I waked this morning, but I can't imagine what I was doing up in the night." "All right." replied Whidby. lie turned to the wa-«h-stand and lilled a basin from a pitcher of water. "In my excitement 1 forgot to wash my face and bands." "1 didn't catch it all, sir. but the detective mentioned the stain on your hand and said it no doubt came front tbe sheet or from the curtain between tbe rooms. He said your explanation satisfied him, and that he did not believe a guilty man would wait for the police to come before he washed Ins hands and then do it right before 'em It seems to me it would be fooLish to mix you up in it, sir, even Lf you did know about the will." "I was never calmer — absolutely oever calmer—in my life," she saidj quickly. She stared at her mother foil a moment; then she 8tepjDed toward* her with an arm outstretched. "Voui know when the pulse of anyone is excited. Feel mine. No, you have got to do it I am serious. I will not be accused of being- agitated when I am as calm as I can be. Feel it, I say!" "In danger? Does he think that? Oh. Alfred, I cuu't bear itl It was al ready hard enough as It was. with papa's objection to you on account ot your lack of means, and now—to think that you—you! must be tried for youi life, that you uiuh* be suspected of- Oh. 1 can't bear itf" And the girl burst "Did you see the man?" "Yes. sir. 1 opened the door when he "It is tea-time." said Lilian, coming to the door. "Why don't you come in ?" "Stop!" cried Hendricks, and he caught Whidby V arm as his bands were almost in tbe water. "Pardon me. but you've stained your fingers somehow." "Ah. that is indeed curious," sa'id the lawyer, thoughtfully. "Can you remi mber passing the portiere, or touching it with your hand?" With a solicitous expression on his face. Fred Walters rose, and, putting his arm around her slender waist, led her before the others into the diningroom. She was tall and graceful and quite pretty. Her eyes were large and hazel, her hair light brown and abundant. Her feet were small and well shaped, her hands long, tapering and strong-looking. irng." "How did he look?" "Very queer-look in' individual, sir. It struck c»e. lie looked like he might be •i drinkin' man. lie was tall and thin, und had dark eves and white hall-. lie The young man stared at his right band in surprise. There was a faint red smudge on the thumb and fingers. "Why." he said, "I don't see how it could have got there, unless— i wonder if—" Whidby turned cjuickiy into the other room and bent over Strong's bed. "Abl" he rj-ied, to the others. "Keel I must have got it from the corner of the sheet when I put it back; you see there is blood on the under side." "No; I have told you all I remember." "Was the eliair between the portiere and vour bed?" he is here." into team. "So Welsh said. I would not have mentioned it to you. but he told me you had given your consent to Hendricks being employed." Mrs. Boundtree was obliged to take her wrist and press her trembling Angers on the reins. "Will? What will are you talking about?" asked Whidby, abruptly. "Ye«." Whidby tried to soothe her with caresses and tender words, but the hor ror of his situation bore down on him with such force that he found himself utterly helpless to console her. was so queer-lookin', sir, that I thought strange o' master havin' a appointment with him. To tell the truth, sir. I kiifdei thought it m'ght be some poor relation In trouble, that master didn't care foi people to Bee about. 1 showed li in intC the parlor and went back into thr kitchen. About 15 minutes after that I thought 1 heard loud words and a ■crambJin' o' feet in the parlor. Their voices would sink down ami then rise up again like they was quarrelin*. I was frightened, but was afraiu o' disnieasin' master if I went. in. so I just come as far as the room next to the parlor.""Was the bnck or the front part of the chair towards the portiere?" "The back." "You see," the girl went on, "1 am nfDfe excited; but you are, for you sire quivering all over. Lie down and pro to sleep again. I am sorry I waked you." And ■he turned and went out of the room. "Why, master's will, sir. They must 'a' opened his desk an' got into his private papers, for they said there was a will makin' you heir to all the pro|»erty. They seemed to think there was motive enough, out they couldn't fasten it on you." "You are sure of tihat ?" CHAPTER V, The family talked of other things than the murder during the meal, but Lilian took no part in what was said. She ate slowly and daintily and seemed thoughtful. After tee, Marion, his father and mother and Fred Walters had a game of whist In the drawingroom. Lilian had never liked the game. She improvised some soft airs on the piano, and then rose and went out on the veranda. Through the open window her mother could see her chair rocking back and forth. Later Mrs. Roundtree became interested in the game, and d"id not think of her daughter for half an hour. When the game was finished, she looked towards Lilian's chair. It was vacant. "One seventy-five on four eighty-two. olease." he seid "Yes: it is quite clear to me, though I can't explain why, that I ran uguiust tbe back of the chair." "You'd better not stay, darling." he said, presently. "They are going to bring the coffin into this room, aud you must not be heCre. Poor little girl! To think that 1 would bring bik-Ii troubli Mayor Roundtree lived in a large two-storied brick house standing back a hundred yards from the street, in extensive grounds. It was in the suburbs of the city, and at the end of one of the electric cir lines. "Hello there," was the reply. "Welir said Whidby. "You are one seventy-six instead of one seventy-five, aren't you?" The next morning, while the family: were at breakfast, James, the butler, brought a folded paper to the mayor. He said he had found it among the rose bushes near the gate. It was typewritten, and audreesed to "Mayor Roundtree." As he opened it Mrs. Roundtree turned pale and Fred Walters stared fixedly at him. Lilian did not seem to have noticed the man's entrance, nor did she seem to hear her mother say: "What is it, dear?" as she leaned towards her husband. The mayor finished the note and mutely handed it to his wife. Fred Walters L'Ot up and stood behind Mrs. Roundtree's chair, reading the note over her shoulder. Tbe detective had followed Whidby no further than the portiere, where he stood indifferently watching the young man's movements. "Then you were undoubtedly coming from the direction of the portiere and going towards your bed?" "What else did you hear, Matthews?" Whidby had turned |Dule, and was twisting his handkerchief tightly in his bands, "lf one is to be suspected of murdering one's nearest relative in cold blood, it is a substantial comfort to know that there is not enough evidence to convict. Did you hear anything on you!" "Yes. Did I say one seventy-five? I meant one seventy-six." "It seems so." Miss Delmar rose and wiped her eyes- When the mayor went home that afternoon, about six o'clock, he found his family sitting on the front veranda waiting for his return. The group consisted of his son Marion, a young man just of age, his married daughter. 1 ilian, her husband, Fred Walters, aaJ Mrs. Round tree. "AI1 right; there you are, Mr. Whidby.""Do you walk in your sleep?" "1 was a goose to break down that way." she said, forcing a smile. "I came to try to comfort you with an assurance of my faith in you. and I'vf acted like a schoolgirl. You will writ* to me. or send Col. Warrenton to see im ts 11s you know anything definite "Yes. from the sheet or this curtain." be replied, pointing to an almost invisible spot of blood on the portiere. "Not now; at least. not to my knowledge. I wed to do it when 1 was a boy." "Whidby!" thought the young man. "1 wonder how be knew my name. Ah, he must have overheard me speaking to Uie police." • The bell rang. "At that time were you ever conscious afterwards of havi ig done so?" "Then the fellow must have been in my room, too," said Whidby, wonderingly."Did you then Lear anything'?" "Yes; I would sometimes get lost in my room and be unable to find my way back to lied till I waked." "They kept it up, sir. Master seemed 10 be nrpfuin' with him in a low. steady voice, and the stranger would break in and beat the tabl" with his hst Onee I heard him say he wanted half of somethin'. and just after muster answered I heard blows and the fullin' of rha:rs. else?' "Nothin* important, sir. There was a good deal said about o report that master was thinkin' about gettin' married, and that he would likely alter his will if be did. Mr. Soddingbam mentioned that it had been talked of at the club, but that you had laughed at the report. They seemed to have found some of the young lady's letters with master's papers, and they appeared to point that way." won't vou?" "Talking about the murder. I know." said the mayor, as he came up the ste|w. "Hello," said Whidby. "Is that police headquarters?" "Yea. What is It?" "This is Alfred Whidby, 278 Leaghton •venue—" "I know; but what is wrong now ?" "I telephoned you about the murder np here. Aren't you going to send some one to see about It?" "And just after the deed was done," Hendricks remarked. "Certainly."he replied. "Don't worrx It will all come out right. You shal hear from me every day. I will semt the colonel round this evening." "That showed you had a habit of walking about and unconsciously returning to bed. It was only when something half roused you that you were unable to act for yourself." Col. Warren ton reflected for a moment; then he said: "Look here, Alfred; I want to give you some ndvice. You have truthfully testified on oath as to what happened last night to the lDest of your memory at the time you were questioned. This little circumstance has since come into your mind. Now, my advice to you Is to keep this to yourself, unless, of course, you should be caJled to te«tify again." "Why, where is Lilian?" the mother asked, excitedly. "She was on th veranda just now." Mrs. Roundtree called the girl's name aloud, but there was no reply. The young man stared at the detective curiously as he returned to the washstand and took off his coat. "Look," be cried to him, "here is some of it on my cuff." "We are concerned about your offering that reward, dear," Mrs. Roundtree replied, "if 1 had been downtown I.should have begged you not to do it. The murderer is evidently of unsound mind, arid the reward may direct his attention to yon. You know he says—" Whidby stood at the window anr watched her graceful figure pasthrough the gate and cross the street . thought I had waited as lonD; as 1 could, and. grabbin' a old pistol that I always kept by me, 1 rushed in. Master was on one side of the room. I ehDlid a sofa, and the fellow was hold in a "Bring me a hot roll, Jane," said Mrs. Walters to the girl who v.as waiting at the table. Then she seemed to notice Uiat Fred had moved from her side. "1 noticed tbat," replied the dC"teot~ "It is a drop of blood. Perhaps you had better detach the cnff and give it to me. You did not sleep in that shirt?" HW ' "I'm sure 1 did right in not telling her about fehat afterthought of mine.' he reflected. "It would only worry her and—and perhaps it means nothing after all. And yet.— My Ood! it will drive me mad I Could I have done it V Will It nil come Itack to me snmp -lav" They all rose hurriedly and went to the door, vaguely alarmed. Ive. "Mamma'sonly nervous," interrupted Lilian. "She hasn't talked of a thinr' al' day except, the isolation of our house and how easy it would be for a creature "Lilian! Lilian!" Mrs. Roundtree called from the veranda. "Here I am, mother." "That waa only a few minutes ago, Mr. Whidbv, and it Is over two miles. Capt. Welsh has just left with Mr. Miuard Hendricks, the famon* New York detective, who happen* to be In town." "Ah, I see," said Whidby; "the time «*rags with me, yon know. I am all alone." "* understand. Good-bj." "Good-lw."  chair by the back and just about to raise it. When he saw me and my pistol he put down the chair, and, with ar oath, backed oujt of the room. 1 followed him as far as the front door and saw him spring over the fence and walk "Why, Fred!" 6he said, "is it polite to look over mamma's letters?" "I think I did deny the report at first," said Whidby, thoughtfully, "but I confess I had just begun to think my uncle was in love. She is a worthy young woman, but much too young for him, and was influenced by hia wpCalth. Perhaps you had better go nnd speak to the undertaker. I suppose they will want to put up the coffin in tiere- 1 shall go upstairs aud occupy "No." Whidby gave him the cuff. "Where did you lay the shirt last night when you took it off?" "On that chair near my bed," answered Whidby. The reply came from dow n the walk among the boxwood-and-rose-bushes. "I am coming; don't be frightened." A look of deep concern was on Wallers' face. He came back to his cha r without replying. The mayor took the sheet of paper, put it into his pocket, and awkwardly resumed Ins breakfast. of that kind to make us his victims." "Pshaw! that's all nonsense," ex- ; claimed the mayor, taking the seat va- : cated for him by his son, who had thrown himself into a hammock, "lie- 1 sides, the reward may be the means of putting the man under lock and key." "I wish it had been the duty of some i lie sank on ttie sora. coverea nis race •vith bis hands, and groaned aloud. "Why, my child, how can you be so imprudent?" cried Mrs. Roundtree, as the girl came into the light of the gap in the hall. Lilian was trying to conceal something tinder the light shawl she wore, and w a#ked rather aw kwardly away quick "That is all you can do for us," said Hendricks. "You'd better go to breakf^t,""Why?" asked Whidby OIAPTER IV "Then I went back to master. To my surprise, he was tryin' to smile as if nothin' had happened; but. he was as white as a ghost, if or a minute he "For the sake of your personal safety. Innocent men have been executed for crime too often for gut) to deliberately When Warrenton left Whidby he went downstairs. He knew the room where Whidby had slept the previous "Something I've no hand in, that's plain," said Lilian. "Well. 1 c!on'» c..re, (.L'uatinueU on ju. t- l.j