The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-07-09

loS
too little breath to keep one living. He died
because he was short of breath. wash my
hands on that matter: Only there's the watch
| that looks dark.
coroner lived near me. His jury had been
twelve of the most ignorant men in town.
This is all he told me:
"He was smothered, that man was so were
the other two. Men don't smother themselves.
We made it inscrutable Providence tother
time We make it murder this time. That
there watch, you know
Thus, without any new light, went nome
and formed my plans. There was but one way
in which to penetrate the mystery. l must
enter the house; must see the people there; L
must penetrate to the room in which these men
had died so suddenly, and must not be known
in nv real character That Madame Matteau
was innocent fully believed, but that some one
beneath her roof was guilty made no doubt.
It might be the librarian, Mr.. Bassford, whose
KEY fitted the dead mans door. 1t was possible;
but no. I would not harbor mad superstition.
There could be no supernatural power beneath
which human beings dropped and died. Death
as it came to US all was mystery enough. WhaI
had been said to me by woman, who would
have been a. spiritualist had she lived to-day,
was mere absurdity.
"I believe that there is some horrible unseen
thing in the room," she had said, "some awful,
shapeless spirit, that when it is locked in with
its victims murders him. Let others believe
what they will, believe that"
The words haunted me, but [ laughed at
them, of course. Whatever it was, would
try to know. had plan.
At dusk that day went into my bed room
myself I came out strange man. wore
white wig, pair of green goggl les, and all over
coat, the tails of which reached to my heels. L
had muf1ler about my throat, and little
hunch on ore of my shoulders. carried a
thick cane, and stopped a great deal as l
walked. In my hand l careaed a carpet-bag,
and in my bosom pair of pistols we'll loaded.
AS passed into the street the early moon
was lust rising; she lit me on my way to the
door of Madame Matteau's house.
It was opened for me- when I knocked, by
old Hannah. Her eyes were red and swollen:
Then told her that was stranger, and had
received Madame Matteau's address from a
gentleman in New York, and desired to stay
Under her own roof all night. She shook her
head. -, t,,
"I don't think you can," she said. 'The
lady is away from home. Besides, we are IN
trouble here. don't think Miss Gabrielle
would
But here Miss Gabrielle herself appeared.
"I am an old man, miss" | said, land as you
see. quite infirm. dread another step. should
take it as kindness if you would accommodate
me, and will pay you any price you ask"
Miss Gabrielle looked at Hannah.
"We have only one room," she said, "and
that
I ended the question of my stay by begging
| 10 be taken to it. >,
you will have supper, sir?" asked the girl.
But declared that I had eaten, and only
wanted rest.
Her reply was:
aHanna66, show the gentleman to the blue
room and make fire"
I was in the blue room, the scene of the
three sudden deaths or murders. 1t was
small apartment, painted blue. 1t had also
blue window curtains, and blue silk eoverlet
on the bed; a neat striped carpet, set of old
mahogany furniture, and very handsome ever
and a basin of costly china. 1t was at the
time almost universal custom to burn wood.
In this room, however, was small coal ire
| I alluded TO this as Hannah came in with the
scuttle.
eyes, sir" she said "Misses does burn Goals
Her son is a clerk, or the like, at the new
mines at Mauch Chunk, and he sends it cheap
to her; but it's nasty, dirty smelling thing,
and I hate it. Now it's built and lit; twill
warm up in fifteen minutes. 1t takes longer
than wood"
She went out of the door and came back in
| minute with little tray, on which stood
pot and cup and saucer, also bowl and
| tiny pitcher, and something in napkin.
dMiss sent bit and sip" said she. "Iea
rests us old folks nightly. Good night"
"Good night" said. II expect shall sleep
; soon; must be up very early, though, for u!
have bills to pay. 1 have some hundreds OF
dollars with me to pay out tomorrow, ana lTs
| in this bag"
She looked at me in queer sort of a way,
and fingered beside me. At last she spoke:
'Look ye, sir think that old folks of your
might be i'll at night, and who'd get into you?
Leave your door unlocked
Was it this woman's practice to beg travel
ers who stopped with her mistress not to lock
the doors? Was there some baneful potion in
the cup she had given me?
It was an innocent looking cup enough-an
| old fashioned affair covered with little gilt
sprigs. The tea was fragrs;:. Hyson but the
suspicion that had crept into my mind had
| tainted it. fancied strange color, curious
smell. I put it from me, and would not have
| tasted it for kingdom.
I had not intended to sleep, aud did not
undress myself merely removed my disguise,
and sat down beside the table, with my pistols
beside me. That some attempt might be short
" made to murder me felt to be possible, l
thought of all the old tales that had heard of
trap doors, and sliding panels, and secret en-
frances to travellers rooms. was not COW
ard but felt strangely nervous; and singular
ly enough for man in my perfect health, my
hands were growing cold, and my feet were
Jumps of ice, while my head was burning hot
Fifteen minutes had passed, and the fire was
kindled, but the room was not warm. The blue
flames struggled among the black Goals, and
flung forked tongues tipped with yellow tlnts,,
about the stove though it was of that open
style, now called Franklin. Yet drew chair
| Is.z.a.l = fro.a hahit and sat with my feet