The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-21
STILETToED.
BY T. G. HARBAUGH.

ed bo0k.keeper attached to one of the
largest coinmission houses in Baltimore,
turned from his desk one morning for
| the purpose oflooking over the Phlladel-
phia papers, which had just been dropped
| at his elbow by the postman.
He glanced at the market reports in
which mis- wealthy employers were inter-
ested, and then turned to the columns
that bristled unusually that morning
with city news. .. ...,.-,.s ...a.-
All at once his eye caught sight OF a
| paraglap that bore the caption of my
present story, and read as follows:
"STILETToED - Last night, about IL
O'clock, the body OF a man was discover
ed near the mouth of an alley in the most
disreputaple locality OF the West End.
The deceased wasa well-dressed young
man OF perhaps tWenty-four years OF age,
and stranger to the city, as certain pa
pers found on the body indicate that his
name was Ernest Stark, from Memphis.
Examination revealed q stiletto wound
directly over the heart which must nave
produced instant death. 1t Is evident
that he was decoyed to his doom for
gain, as no money or other valuables
were found on his person. The coroners
inquest will elicit no solution OF Ine
mystery that enshrouds his death, ana,
like many occurrences of the kind, 1t
/
| Clement Musgrave read the paragraph
twice before he laid the paper aside.
4 When ne raised his head, he revealed
male face full of horror, and started from
his desk.
, at must belt is the Ernest Stark
, whom know SO well. But a fortnight
since he wrote me 70 say that he would
soon invade this counting room. ana
grasp the hand which he has not toucheo
1 since we parted on the steps OF old BOW
doin with our degrees III our hanus anu
the world before US. he must nave oeea ea
on his Journey which was to have ended
mere. Now dead, stlettoed in Phlladel-
q luhial Pm going there-Im going TO uls-
cover who took mis- life" ..... ..
e The accountants last sentence was
4 couched in tones of tirmness, ana the
= last word was still qulverlng on his
asnen lips, when the senior member OF
the house, stepping into the apartment,
greeted HIM pleasantly. ..f
."Can you spare me tor ume," were
the accountants first words alter the
greeting. ..
"Spare you, Clement?" and john Gas
|, ton looked amazed. "Spare you at tins
\ juncture, when we are over mead ana
u ears In the busiest season that ever
4 greeted CASTOR, Shaw u Cor What is
y up? Your vacation is not very dis
q tant" ...,
Clement Musgraye did not reply, but
l. handed his emp'oyer the paper, ana di-
y rected his attention to the paragraph
l. which had so startled him.
: Mr, CASTOR read it and looked up al
c his Young accountant.
e "WellY he said. ~
n Gle was my friend-a brother, al
l. most"
e "Ahl he has met with sad deaf h, ,
8 and the merchant, with this observation
!, began to read an item on commission. s.
u Tae accountant looked at HIM and VeX
. atiousy bit his lip ..-.. ...,.- rr..
e 81 want to go to Philadelphia" he sale
! suddenly. Il can catch the tram b.
u starting now. You must spare me-"
u "But we can not, Clement. TIngleton
Ii is sick, and" .. ~.
II "Then l resign my positionW sal {
a Musgrave, firmly. alt snail not stanC
e between me and murdered Ernes
. Stark" ... ..I. ...frsr ...f. s..
N The merchant was tnund erstruck; h
ie stared al the accOuntanJllke man IN
waking trance, and saw him pick up hi
II hat before he could find his tongue.
!, y "If you will go, go" he said. "Whel
, will you return"
a "When l have found the hand tina
', drove the stileLto TO his heartW -
- "Tnen you will never stand at you
" desk agalnV
J, $50 be it. Good morning, Mr.. Gas
ton" 81. ..t......s. ,.....
The accountant had crossed the thresl
old, and was hurrying toward the fror
e. door.
ad "One momentW cried Mr.. Castor
~ spripgng alter him. "Dont you wal
VI some moueyW ..
es "Not now. When do, will let yo
he know" .., .... ..
~ John CASTOR stopped and saw the trus
80 ed accountant disappear from sight.
VI w 'tlpll prove wild goose cnase,"
o. said, turning back into the counting
o mouse. ut looks as il this confounde
% murder took place justto bother us.'
to
he Clement Musgrave caught the trai
rs and stood over the body of his trier
,s, before the autumn day was far d,
d. Vanced.
It's Though the face, which was bearC
i'll less boys when he had looked upon
of last, was covered with - beautiful al
he burn beard, he recognized it at a glanc
er He saw the Tiny wound through Whit
'af Ernest SLark's genial spirit had taken i
ge flight, and measured IL with the acume
In OF u thorough detective.
m- AS the morning paper had prophesie(
nd the coroner's inquest elected nothii
ng the young Southerner's death, an
," Clement Musgraye found himself in th
nd dark.
ny cit may take years." he said TO hir
sell one night, recalling the death Of hi
friend ana companion; "Dut l DelieI
that the man who slew nim in his yout
as time will be brought to the bar OF ju
OF tice, there 10 answer for the toulesL
ng- crimes"
need not tell the reader how Cleme
Musgrave hunted lor the assassin or a
MI sassins OF his friend. He had no eli
Ich save the measurement of the stilett
on wound, and this was very meager.
,ry went TO Memphis and learned mu
cal about Ernest Stark's life since leavi
D." college. There was no stain upon it.
he "He was killed for his money, whi
Ia he carried in pocket beneath his We
les and directly over his heart. l ma
an the pocket for him before ne startC
,he North, and saw him put his bills ther
pc in" -...... .L....... .-...-.-
to Thus Ernest Stark's sister spoke
~ l.