Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-04-08
lgTRANsIENT BILLS CASH.

to tiud that he had committed the murder.-
His plan included Morton's execution as the
murderer, the possession of your hand aud
the estate, so there was no motive for small
robbery-at least this is my reading of tho
case Now. then, l want to see the body of
your father and the room in which the deed
was doue."
'Well, sir. she said. raising and preparing
to accompany me. ''you will find everything
as it was when first discovered; the officer
concluded not to disturb anything until after.
the inquest, which takes place Tomorrow fore.
noon -
Wrapping myself in my great cnat. we set
out. aud, after brisk walk of ten minutes.
reached the palatial residence of nv comnan-
ion. ! was at once shown to the room of tho
murdered man, and then began making such
an examination as only detective knows how
to make. circumstances of the most trivial
character, whieh would be overlooked by au,
Ignorant person. often seized upon by =
skillful directive, and snmetimes constitute
most damniny evidence of guilt Tn this case.
however. everything had been done in the
most skillfnl manner, and could not succeed
in making any discoveries.
| was about to leave the room in dispair,
when. glanciug toward the bed, noticed
what appeared to be light scratch on the
neck of the murdered man, just above tho
gaping wound which had so cruelty let our his
i'tes blood. On examination, found il to
be nothing more than hair, which had in
some manner probably become loosened from
the head of the assassin, and had settled on
the neck Of the victim, where il now Law.
silent, yet truthful witness painting ont the
guilty wretch to the eye of jnstice. The hair
was of deep red color, which waS totally un-
like that of any of the household 1t was.
indeed the same color and shade W. that of
Conrad Smi,hlv.
placed it cnrefully in my pocket book.
and saying nothing to any one of nv disoov-
erv. started for rho residence of Smthley. in.
tent an doing little scting. lnund him. as
his attendant said i'll in he'd and on no ac-
connt must he disturbed 'Onlv a ruse,' 1
thnmght ITO divert suspicion Stating to the
woman I wanted t. see him bnt for moment
on the most urgent business she finally reluc
family consented to my entrance I tound
him lying upon bed apparently in great
pain. In nv youth had studied medicine,
and was consequently we'll informed on sueh
matters ard ] saw at once with amick
glnnce th"t he was only tegniny sickness -
Hle s,art"d ur sonewhnt angrily rs entered,
but si'eured him with motion of nv hind
Conrad Sin thlev this Is n desreratn game
you ar" playing hnt IL will avail Won nrthingl'
what do v"u nleonY he exclaimed spring.
ing to his feet his sickness all gone
I mean that the game is un. aud the muir
dcrcr Of John Randolph is discovered.
AS had anticipated he sank into chair,
and hurying his face in his hands, sobbed
out. 'Lnst lost !
DO you confess the murder, then?
Recovering himself little, he gasped.
"Whst proofs have Won p
Enough to hang you, and nothing Int n
confession can procure you lighter punish-
ment. ! then raDidly detailed I" him tho
circumstances which led me to the conviction
that he was John RandolDh's mnrderer-his
threats, his inn'ives, and finally the unnIista.
kabe evidence that he had lett of his presence
at the murdered man's bedside. The last link
in tho chain completely overwhelmed him. -
de was not an experienced crmlnal, and be
saw no hope of esoape
Il confess, he said, now that concealmeut
is no longer of USe.'
took him mt once into custody, and soon
had the satisfaction Of seeing him change pls-
ces with Edgar Morton, who was overjoyed
ut his release.
Conrad Smithley was tried for murder. and.
knowing that any defence would be useless
after his confession to me. pIended guilty. and
threw himself upon the mercy of tue Court,
which sentenced him to imprisonment for
life
About year after, received nm envelope
containing an invitation to the wedding of
CecrIe Randolph and Edear Norton. who
lived long and happily together, and never,
ceased thanking me that Edgar was saved By
a hair.
STRONG TEMPERANCE LEciURE.-A pow.