The Placer herald., 1874-01-17
,uble in making his escape.

u nat IS the most mysterious part OF the
sad affair. This morning when Edgar was
told Of the murder. lie turned very pale
reeed. and would have fallen 10 the ground
had not support been given him. Some Of
the ignorant beholders of this scene though,
his actions denoed gu It, and an officer was
summoned, who AT once insisted on search-
| ng his room. A razor. on which was sew
eral sro,s Of blood, was found concealed
under The carpet. together with an old suit
Of clothes belonging to Edgar, which were
bespa,tered with blood. This was consid-
cred sufficient evidence to warrant his arrest
and lie now lies in Jail, charged with the aw
fnl crime of murder. 0 Mr.. Ferguson!
II you can do nyihing to save him, and,
at the same time, bring the guilty perpetra-
Tor Of this deed TO justice, l VIII amply re-
ward you"
do you know of any enemies of your
father, or Edgar, who would lie likely to
commit such crime, either for robbery OF
revenge p Issked
"Oh, sir" she replied, "it was not done
Ior robbery, as every hing in the room was
rs father left it HE nj, lit before. His watch
and pocket-lOok, IT, latter containing quite
sum of money, were found under his pill
low, where lie always placed them, 80 iha,
the crime must have been committed 10 erai-
fly n iendish thirst for revenge
IN ow, then, who of all your acquaint-
ances could do such thing
81 cannot ossibly say. Father had moi
an enemy in the world TO my knowledge, or
Edgar either, unless perhaps, it migs bt
Conrad Smiihers, my faller's bookeepe,
and lrusty clerk; bu, it would he impossiLI.
for him to do such deed.
"What reason have YOU for suspccting
that he is not Edgar's irend?"
| "Only this: Some time ago, Conrad
whom We have always regarded rs one OF
the family. proposed for my hand, and ]
| tod him it WAS not mine 10 give. i sus-
pecied as much, he muttered. And then
whilst his face grew dark as night, and hi
lectures assumed an appearance perfect.
fearful, lie continued, But you shall never
become tie vie of Edgar Morton whilst !
have life to prevent it, He .hen wheeled
about, aud abruptly left my presence. ]
was considerably alarmed, and thought Of
Speaking to father about it; but, during the
afternoon. he returned, and begged my for
giveness for the words lie had used, and
made sucl, professions of sorrow in regard
20 them, that | freely iorsave him, and
have since thought no more Of the matter. )"
"1he fact is quite clear to me" said.
81 know this fellow well. and the sort Of
company he keeps. and should not be sur
prsed to find that he nd committed the
murder. Now, then, want to see the
body of your father. and the room in which
the deed was done"
well, sir she said, rising, and pre-
paring to accompany me, ''you will find
everything rs when first discovered. The
officer concluded not to disturb anything un.
til after ll,e inquest. which takes place to-
morrow forenoon
Wrapping myself up in my great-coat,
we set out, and, after "A brisk walk of ten
minutes, reached the palatial residence Of
my companion. | was at once shown 10
| Tie room of The murdered man, and then
began making such nn examination rs only
detective knows how 10 make. Circnm.
stances of the most trivial character, wllcl,
would he overlooked hy an ignorant person
are often seized upon by a skilful detective.
and sometimes constitute The most damnng
evidence of guilt. IN this case, however,
ever, hing lad leen done n The most skill
ful manner, and | could not succeed IN
making "ny discoveries.
was about to leave the room in despair,
when, glancing towards the bed, noticed
v hat appeared to be slight scratch on the
neck Of ihe murdered man, just above the
gaping wound which bad so cruelty let ont
his ie's blood On examination, found
it TO he nothing more than a hair, which
had, in some manner, probably become
loosened from the had of The assassin. and
settled OIL The neck Of the victim. yet truth
tu, Witnesses, pointing out the guilty wretch
10 the eye of justice The hair was Of
deep red color, which was totally unlike
that Of any of the household. 1t was, in.
deed, the same color and shade as that Of
Conrad Smi hers.
] pla ed it carefully in my pocket book,
and, say ng nothing to any one OF my dis
covery, started for the residence of Snih-
FRS, intent or. doing little acting. found
him, ns his attendant said, i'll in bed, and
on no account must he lie disturbed. "This
sickness is but ruse," thought, "'o di'
vert suspicion (" Telling the woman that
wanted to see him but for moment on
The most urgent business. she finally re-
Iuctautly consented to my entrance. ]
found him lying upon a bed apparently in
.reat pain. In my yout" ] had studied
medicine, and was Consequently well in
formed OF, such matters, and saw mt once,
with quick glance, that he WAS only fegn
nr scknes.. He starred up somewhat M
srIy as entered, but | silenccd Lin with a
motion of my hand.
Conrad Smilhers, this is desperate
lame you are playing, but it will avail you
nothing" 49,,
"Wlat do you mean ?" he exclaimed,
springing to his feet, his sickness all gone.
81 mean that the game is up, and tue
murderer of John Randolph is discovered. "
"a aQ /