The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-08-28

q
here, where it was probably left by a former
lodger, and think there is q name on the
margin"
examined the margin over the title Of
the paper, and to my astonishment found
written in pencil the name and residence of
Henry Collins. 1t was a weekly paper which
l observed was published in a little CITY he
had formerly lived in, and its date was so
recent that he mutt have received it on the
very day preceding the murder | imme-
diately took leave of Mr.. Nj, saving
that thought l knew where the paper had
come from, and begging his pardon for hav-
ing treated him so rudely, and FASTENED
down 10 the Office of the hotel, where l ex-
amined the register, finding the name of j.
Brown (the deiective), with Room Twenty
one assigned. ! knew the clerk, and | in
quired
"When did Mr. Brown take Room Twen-
ty-one?"
"Early this morning when l was rot on
duty"
"Did any one occupy the room during the
night?'
"N ~, yes-let me see,' he replied
looking over the preceding page Of the reg
iS.er--"here is the name of Harvey Elton
| remember now. lie was without baggage
and paid for the room in advance, saying hs
wanted TO be called at three o'clock. Tkt
porter went up at that hour, but the door
was open and the bed had not been slept in.
The other clerk mentioned to me that he
gave the same room, this morning, to Mr..
Brown because he wanted a front room"
"Do you remember the appearance of
Elton?'
"Yes-rather small man, with full black
beard"
Henry Collins was small man, but wore
no beard. OF course my suspicious were
fixed on him as soon as | discovered his
name on the margin Of the newspaper, yet
never dreamed that he was capable Of COM
mittitg crime.
Ny mind now underwent a series of rapid
changes. One moment | regarded 1t as al
most certain that Henry Collins had some
thing to do with the murder, the next mo-
ment l would say to myself, at is prepOs-
ferrous; he is no such man. There are a
thousand ways this paper might have got
into other hands. lie may have lent it to
! old Bradley; or it may have fallen from his
window; or he may have lost it from his
| pocke-, Why shculd he have called my
| attention t. Bradicy's house? Besides, he
| wears no bcard.'
On the subject of this beard it did not at
irst occur to NE that lie might have worn
false one; bat it did finally, and | recalled,
very soon afterward, what | now regarded
as Il most suspicious circumstance.
1t was about midnight that Henry Collins
told me that Mr. Bradley had been in but u
| few minutes | row remcin bered that the
| body was cold and rigid when | first went
| in, and | FASTENED away to moot Che sur
| geon who had made the examination, hVe
| minutes later.
had the good luck to find him soor and
in reply to my inquiry, he stated that Brad
| ley must have been dead two hours when he
was called.
.'fIave the detectives found any clue p
| he asked.
Not that I'm aware off, replied, and
took my leave
| Ny first step now was to go to an estab-
! lishment in which Collins was employed and
enquire for him.
On doing 50, was Informed that he had
asked and obtained leave of absence t. visit
| Trenton
next started for his house, which was
| half a mile distant carefully looking up and
| down every street | crossed. ! had made
| half Of the distance when | caught glimpse
of the very man was looking for.
He was coming towards Inc on one Of the
cross streets, showing that he had not come
| directly from his house. He carried a valise,
and by his side walked small, rough-look-
ing man whom l did not know and with
whom he was conversing earnestly. l went
a few steps to meet them, and was within a
yard OF them before Collins saw me.
| 'Ah, how are you, Mr.. Collins p said
! He started visibly, bat on recognizing me,
seemed to regain his composure, and answer
| ed nv salutation lie would have passed
on, but detained him by pausfng IN front
Of him and opening dialogue.
mot going travelng?'' said /.
..Yes+a short dis;ance-only to New
Haven"
"Wouldn't it be just as well to go to
Trenton? ?" ] asked, in a significant tone.
cycling him keen!y.
lie turned very pale, and in voice THAI
quivered perceptibly, said
Great heaven, Mr.. Whitmire what do
you mean 7''
Il mean that you and your friend must go
to the station with me-"
With a look of despair ON his white face
that | never shall forget; he dropped his
valiSe, and staggered step or SO to an
awaing-post, which he grasped for support.
At the same moment his companion turn
ed to dart away but luckily two men, who
had just stopped on the sidewalk to talk
about something, stood directly in his path
and his movements being confused, reached
him with one bound, and seized him by the
collar, warning him not to resist.
lie was thoroughly cowed, while Collins
! had too little STRENGTH left him to attempt