Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-07-31

hearing of the murder Of Mr.. Walton.
1t was found that his left hand had
not been cut or injured in any way as
the landlord Of the Blue Lion testified
he had asserted.
His pockets were searched; in one !of
them was found five one hundred dol
lar bank-notes in another revolver,
one barrel Of which had been discharg-
ed.
The numbers of the notes which had
been taken from Mr.. Walton were as
certained from the cashier for the bank,
from which he had drawn the money a
few hours before, and correspondcd
with those found in Irwin's pocket.
The ball found in the murdered man S
brain exactly fitted the young architects
revolver.
Could circumstantial evidence be
stronger?
Irwin explained the presence of the
bank notes in his pocket by saying that
he had met Mr.. Walton on the road In
the early part of the evening and had
received the money from him in pay
ment Of his bill.
Mr.. Walton told me that he had re
considered the matter said Irwin. and
had concluded to pay me in full. He
said that ifI would sign receipt which
he produced-he would pay me the
money on the spot. OF courseI was
only too glad to do SO. He put the re-
ceipt in his pOcket-bsok which is now
missing. There were no witnesses to
the payment. I know that this story
seems improbable, but it is the truth, so
help me heaven.
AS for the empty barrel of my revol-
yer, 1 discharged the bullet at bird a
week ago.
How about your visit to the Blue Lion?
How do you explain the presence OF
the blood upon your hand: asked.
Mr.. Ashley was the reply. I did
not visit the Blue Lion last evening"
You did not?
No. Either the landlord of the inn
has testified to lie for motives OF his
or the man he saw was my double; l
have not been inside the Blue Lion for
a week.
Mr.. Ashley he continued despair
ingly, Il know my story will go as moth
ing against the terrible weight of evi-
dence which has accumulated against
me. Every one believes me guilty, even
YOU sir, whom l had hoped would save
me-
You are mistaken l said, L be-
lieve you to be an innocent man and |
pW save YOU
What do you mean:' cried Irwin, his
face lighted with new hope.
BE patient and you shall know ere
long, said. A few minutes later |
left him.
The fact is, l believe the young man
had unconsciously sounded the keynote
Of the mystery when he had suggested
that the man who had visited the Blue
Lion the night before had been his
double
believe that this man whose bloody
hand had attracted the landlords atten'
ton. had not been Irwin but another
person bearing an extraordinary rescm
blance to him.
My reason for arriving at this con
clusion will be seen when l state thC
cause of the emotion with which the frs
sight Of Irwin's face inspired me.
The men who had picked up my lock
ct in the depot in New York was th'
counterpart in form and feature-evel
to the the scar on the right check-o
Herbert Irwin.
Such a remarkable resemblance
never before saw between two persons
| believe that this man was the mur-
derer eff Mr.. Walton, and the visitor a
the Blue Lion.
The next morning the following ad
vertisement appeared in all the daily
papers:
LosT.-Yesterday morning in thu
Grand Central depot, small gold losk
ct. Its intrinsic value is very little bu
it is highly priced by the owner, it bcinI
a gift from a deceased relative. III tn
finder will return 1t to the office Of c
Ashley, No-street he will receive on
hundred dollars reward ard the thank
Of the owner.
At about ten o'clock thet morning
clerk entered my private office saying:
"A gentleman outside wants to Sc
YOU, Mr.. Ashley. He says he has call
ed in answer to an advertisement
Ny heart gave great bouud, but
preserved a calm exterior.
Show him In l ordered.
A moment later man stepped int
apartment-the very man / had see
at the depot, Herber Irwln's double.
'Yeu advertised this morning for
lost locker' he began.
Ibid; and yeu have found it"
Yes, sir, l.
: A slight noise behind him caused hi
, to turn. He found himself confronte
by two policemen who had been cor
} eealed IN the next room awaiting h
arrival. Trapped, by-!' burst from h
5 lips his and face grew deathly pale.'Ju
5 SO, said one Of the officers, arrest you {