Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-04-07
"Yes," was the answer.
as he here still p
"He is"

host, "ior didn't get TO see much Of hi
faces" and he not only proceeded will
the description of bis person, but added
all that the travelIef'had said and done
including the affair Of the money.
81 think we've got him this time I" sale
3 the one who had addressed the landlord
turning to his companion.
at looks like it" was the reply; "bu
he's no doubt desperate fellow, and
we'd better proceed with caution till We
make all sure !"
"Hark you, landlord !" said the frs
speaker, in low tone ga word in your
private ear! We are officers of justice
from Philadelphia, in pursuit Of bank
robber, and we suspect your sirange
guest to be the man we seek Here i;
the warrent for bis arrest Now conduct
US quietly to his room and, if need be-
assist US in securing himp
Certainly" returned the host, turning
somewhat pale, as it was afterward re-
membered, and seeming not little az
itated
"Walk in, gentlemen-this way, gen
tlemen p
He conducted them into the bar-room
and hnrriedly struck light, for it was
yet too dark to see anything distinctly.
81 hope the fellow has not heard US p
said one Of the officers, drawing pistol,
while the other produced pair of hand
cuffs.
81 hope it won't be necessary to shoot,
gentlemen p said the host, with increased
agitation.
I'VE win all go up softly and try bis
door, said The officer with the pistol, "and,
if we find it fast, perhaps it will be better
for US to remain on guard and wait till
he comes out himself"
The host, light in hand, led the way,
though with seeming reluctance, as if not
over courageous. On reaching the door,
which the three parties had approached
with light, stealthly steps, the landlord
tried it very gently, and, finding it un-
fastened, slowly and softly pushed it open,
and went in, followed by the officers
The next moment the inn-keeper ex-
claimed, in tone of alarm and agitation !:
"Gracious Heaven! what's the mean
ing of this p
The bed acas tumbied, but vacant--no
trareHer acaS Mere-aad the sheets and
pjHoD cases acere stained scjM blood!
The officers looked meaningly at each
other, and then at the host, who, pale and
trembling, sunk half fainting upon the
nearest seat. For few moments there
was a deep and ominous silence; and
then one of the officers said, slowly and
with pointed emphasis:
Landlord, this is very strange !"
"The sirangest thing | ever knew!'
fairly gasped the inn-keeper glancing
around him in frightened bewilderment.
"Where can the man have gone to ?"
"And this blood, too !" sternly chimed
in the other officer "what does this
mean, if not some foul play?'
"Oh, gentlemen said the host, in II
low, tremulous tone. II hope you don't
suspect me, for I'm as inocent as child
unborn And now l remember, too,
when | went to the door to let you in, /
found it wasn't fastened, and I'm right
sure / fastened it myself before l went
to bed
"We certainly do suspect you, sir"
said the other officer "for how can we
help it ! since the man is gone, and you,
as you have confessed, have his money
10 your possession "
"But he gave me the money to keep
for him." cried the frightened host, "and
I've got it yet"
"Uudoubtedy you have; but that, you
see, so far from proving you know Moth
ing of the affair, only tends to make mat
ters the worse for you p
"Perhaps he's about here yet some-
where !" suggested the inn-keeper. "If
he's a bankrobber, and heard your
knocks, he'd be quite likely to hide him
sell, or run away, should think"
The idea was worthy of attention, and
a search for the missing man was forth
with begun. Ga looking under the bed,
blood was discovered on the floor; and
the trail of this was found to lead out of
the room, down the stairs, out of the front
door-showing that the object of search,
either living or dead, bad gone out of the
house. Beyond the building there were
no traces, for the storm had obliterated