Richland beacon., 1881-05-07

'iii ''ioic tiie open sale. They saw
each other at the same moment, ant
Sharon was spcll-bound at being discov
cred IN his criminal act. Then bepar
the struggle, the evidence of which wa.
SO plainly evident. Sharon being tn,
stronger OF the two soon ovcrpowered his
opponent, and threw him SO violently on
the floor that he became insensible.
Narnoe listened with rapt attention
to the end, then made few notes in his
book, after which he walked out of the
store with his eyes bent on the floor be-
fore him until he reached the street /;
then. after casting his eyes searchingly
on the ground, he walked over to the
dock and gazed for few moments into
the watcrin thoughtful manner When
he returned to the store and rcjoined
the others in the office it was with a grave
cOuntenance.
"Mr. Purvis, the robber has evident
ly escaped by way of the river, as the
blood tracks reach to the dock.
All eyes were now directed toward the
wounded man, who had suddenly grown
very pale. He opened his mouth as if
to say something, but fell back in his
seat with groan and tainted away.
While the doctor was applying restor-
atives to his charge the detective drew
MIR. Plrvis away to the rear of the store
and remained there for half an hour in
conversation with him, and, judging by
his frequent exclamations, he must have
been greatly astonished at what the de-
tective told him.
Rc-entering the office, they found
Gcrkes still unconscious, and, a. the
suggestion of Varnoe, he was conveyed
in that condition to the hospital.
"Now, Mr.. Purvis," said Varnoc,
"you will please point out to me which
are the clothes usually worn by Mr..
Sharon while on duty at the store"
Certainly, sir" replied the gentle
man; "that is readily DONE" and he
went to closet where the clerks kept
their outer garments and Opcned it. He
took piece after piece from the hooks.
ali exclamation as if of surprise escaping
him as he did so,
"What is it?" asked Varnoe, when
MIR. Purvis laid the garments on the
bed.
"Why, as live, Sharon has not only
lett his coat and vest behind, but also
his pants 7" said Mr.. Purvis, with look
of bcwilderment.
THAT is singular" remarked the de-
tcctive, exchanging significant glances
with the doctor; "the more 80 when
you bear in mind that Mr.. Yerkes, when
found, had on his coat, vest, pants and
boots, while the robbcr even left his
boots behind him." pointing to pair
beneath the bed.
"Iou will now please sec whether
MIR. Sharon has left anything of value
in his pockets"
Every pocket WAS instantly divested |
of ITS contents. There was found vain. |
able gold watch and chain, n wallet con-
tanning trifie over S., penknife, pen
cil and memorandum book, etc.
" Retain the articles, Mr.. Purvis, and |
restore the clothes to the closet" said |
Narnce. ~ have another surprise in
store for you, l .hink."
When this was done, Varnoe took off |
all the bod-clothes and threw them on
the floor, leaving the mattress bare. An
exclamation of surprise burst from Mr..
Purvis rs he pointed to the mattress
where a number of bloody finger-marks
stained it along a seam about ten inches
i'll length.
"Now see what you are driving a."
cried MIR. Purvis, scanning the seam.
You mean to say that the robbcr has
hidden his booty in the mattrcss?"
81 think so, at all events" was his
reply, as he took ont his knife and
opened the seam.
Then inserting his hand into the OPEN
ing, he presently drew forth the pack
age Of greenbacks. They were intact,
so Mr.. Purvis announced, after examin-
ing the fastenings and seals.
"What am to think of this ?" asked
the gentleman, in helpless tone. 81
declare that my head aches trying to
divine the motive Of this most extraordi-
nary robbery"
"Think as I do"
"What is that?"
"Why, that Pembroke Sharon. in
stead Of being the robber, is the victim
Of the robber, which accounts for his
Leaving all his outer garments behind.
He evidently surprised the robber at
his work, and in the encounter that took
place he murdered poor Sharon, dragged
him across the street, as the trail showed
% me, and tossed him into the river"
"Then you really suspect August
Yerkes as the robber?" asked the mer-