The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-11-30

VI course tne Duil6V came lrOm gun.
Now, how many guns have we among
us on the islandp"
1t appeared on inquiry that there were
only three, so far as known, and also
that the gun of the Hydra's party was
out of order, and was unrigged for re-
pairs. 1t could not possibly have been
used the night before. This narrowed
the matter down to two guns. one of
which was that carried by Warwick
himself.
"Now, here is our gum" continued
Atkins, "just as 1t was found lying on
the stones, all loaded and capped. Now,
who used the other gun last night, the
only gun on the island?"
81 did," answered Dave Preston,
quietly yet boldly. "It never went out
of my hand from dusk of the evening
until 1 turned in this morning, one
hour before daylight. And 1 shot
twelve elephants with it, but can only
say that was never, at any time during
the night, anywhere near the spot where
Warwick was found, and that 1 know
no more than you do about the manner
of his death. All this can swear to
upon oath"
But whether you can prove it or not
is another matter" returned Atkins in
a cold, dry tone. Here is the case,
boys, in nutshell,' he continued, not
looking at Preston. "There were only
two guns on the island last night in
condition to be used. Here is one of
'em just as it fell with the murdered
man to the beach. And the other was
in the hands of Preston last night
by his own statement. 1t seems to me
the verdict is pretty plain"
A murmur of appreciation was heard
from the crowd, more especially from
the English party, and it was readily
seen that the evidence was conclusive.
Hold on bit," put in Ben Com
stock, whom had noticed examining
the gun, and feeling all over it, but who
had not spoken until now. A" 1t looks
dark enough, as you say, but L have
wintered and summered Dave Preston,
and I'll stake my life that what he says
and swears to is the truth chock up to
the handle. Now this gun fell thirty
feet upon stony ground, and there isn't
a mark or brack upon it. If it fell
where you say it did, it would almost
certainly be broken in some part, but at
the best it must have been marred and
bruised in the woodwork"
$50 it would" assented several voices.
That's so.'
but don't you see," urged Atkins,
"that if Warwick was in the death
agony when he fell, he clutched the gun
tightly, and it did not leave his hand
until the shock of his striking the
ground. In that case the gun would not
be marred or broken, and how can any
of us know whether the gun fell with
him, in his grasp, or fell separately ?"
"Just go" said several voices again.
"You can't find out much on that
tack"
And it was evident that Atkins had
the best of the argument.
"What you say is possible" said
Comstock, after seeming to think deeply
for minute, land so we won't argue
the point any further. But don't be in
hurry to condemn anybody yet. We
must have further evidence, and 1 hope
to be able to show who didn't murder
the man, although might not be able
to find out who did,"
Atkins gave sort of sneering laugh.
" But don't see yet, Comstock, what
you can be driving at We all know
there are but two guns to choose from.
Do you mean to say that Warwick was
killed with his own gun?''
81 can't quite say it yet, but 1 think
So, returned Ben.
"That he was killed with his own
gun, which was afterward carefully
loaded again, and laid along side of
him."
A sensation was perceptible through
out the crowd, and men looked eagerly
and suspiciously in each others faces.
This was theory which had scarcely
been thought of by others, but the drift
OF Comstock's proceedings began to
flash upon their minds. He still kept
hold of the BeIlona's gun, and glancing
sharply around him he seemed to tower
above them all like giant created for
the occasion.
'Tom Green," he said in sharp tone
of command, run over to the Vandog's
shanty, and bring the gun that was
used last night. Dave Preston, keep
quiet until 1 tell you to speak. 1t seems