Louisiana capitolian., 1881-10-04
the CITY and Parish

person to have struck such blow: ono,
in a score Of times it might happen; per
haps oftener. Besides you can't explain
away the dagger; that damning fact re
MAINS
'It will all explain itself in gooG
time" answered Mr.. Mordaunt. II had
faith from the first IN the girls limo
cence. Now ! am sure oft. Atpresen,
| am going back to the Locks, where
everybody about here is known. / am
looking, you see, for lett-handed man,
who had some interest in this murder. "
Mr.. Gresham shrugged his shoulders,
but quietly followed his friend.
The inn at the Locks was crowded.
Everybody from circuit Of twenty
miles around, had been attracted thith-
erby the report of the tragedy. ''The
real criminal" Mr.. Mordaunt argued,
"wlll most probably be there: for he
will be anxious TO hear the coroner's
verdict; / wonder if his manner will
betray him to me-"
But amid all the throng he saw no
one who showed the least sign OF guilt.
The beer mugs circulated freely, and
the room was filed with tobacco smoke.
A dozen voices at toncediscussed wheth-
er the lover had been an accessory, for
the opinion was universal that the
daughter was guilty. No., not quite
universal, for one man, hill farmer
from the forest, ventured to dissent.
"For where is the money % he said !:
II paid him 1856 the evening before
some money had borrowed from him
last year. He was saw, afraid to keep
it in the house over night; he feared rob-
bers; he told ME he would take it to the
bank the first thing the next morning.
Now there is no money found On him.
'The girl robbed him after killing
him." said a harsh voice, in answer.
"No doubt of it,"
Mr.. Mordaunt looked around quickly.
The man spoke in German, with Ba-
varlan accent. As if to emphasize his
words he plunged his beer mug down
on the table with q vigor that made the
pipes lying there rattle. More than
this the button which Mordaunt had
found was the button belonging to the
uniform ofthe railway employees Of Ba-
varia, as he happened to know.
Mr.. Mordaunt tnrned to his next
neighbor.
'Who is that fellows 7" he asked.
"Well, hardly know. A new conner
here: just from Germany; lives off in
the forest by himself. They say he's
been making up to the servant girl at
old stray's however; she's believed to
have saved money. She has probably
told him that her mistress robbed the
old man: he seemed so positive about
it,"
But this solution was far from being
that Of Mr.. Mordaunt. On the contrary
he attributed the accusation of the man
to desire to screen himself. As if by
flash, the whole tragedy from this mo-
ment became clear.
Mr.. Mordaunt rose, and leaving the !
room, sought the district attorney.
II want two search warrants" he !
said. Zone for the trunks of the ser
want girl at Stray's and another for the |
house or cabin of Bavarian, living, |
am told, at the three mile crossroads in |
the forest. Three or four officers, also,
as we may have to make arrests"
''This israther unusual, as YOU will |
know, but We'll stretch point to please
you," said Mr.. Gresham. "I'm afraid
your zeal for once, however, has outrun
your Judgment"
"Trust me for that replied Mr.. Nor
launt. "My intuitions in these mat
rers have never misled me.
Accordingly, he found, on searching
inc Bavarian's house, just what he had
the green uniform Of flag
station guard in Bavaria, with one but
ION missing. The button had evidently
been violently wrenched ont. The bit
,f cloth attached to the button which
Mr.. Mordaunt had picked up, exactly
tilted the rent.
$50 far, so good" said Mr.. Mordaunt,
Now for the servant girl"
On examining her trunks a roll of
lotes was discovered. which the far
ner from the forest, who was brought
@ the house for the purpose, identified
Is part Of the money lie had paid to the
I'D man. "See, here is my mark" he
aid showing a peculiar cross on each
lote. II always put that on every
,ill."
When this was made known to the ser