Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-06-30

Ruco, Will most probably be there; for
he VIII be aAxious to hear the coroners
verdict; I wonder if his manner will
betray him to me-"
But amid all the throng he saw no
one who slowed the least sign of guilt.
The beer-mugs circulated freely, and
the room was filed with tobacco smoke.
A dozen voices at once discussed
whether the lover had been an Access
sorry, 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.
u paid him 1856 the evening before;
some money / had borrowed from him
last year. He was, saw, afraid to keep
IL in the house over night; he feared
robbers; he told me he would take it to
the bank tie first thing the next morn
ing. Now there was no money found
on him.
THE girl robbed him after killing
him said harsh voice in answer "No
doubt Of it,
Mr.. Mordaun. looked around quickly.
The man spoke in German, with
his words he plunged his beer-mug
down on the table with vigor that
made the pipes lying there rattle. That
beer-mug was held in his left hand.
More than this, the button which Nor
daunt had found was the button belong.
ing to the uniform of the railway en-
| ployes of Bavaria, as he happened to
know.
Mr.. Mordaunt turned to his next
neighbor.
"Who is that fellow?' he ask ed.
"Well, hardly know. A newcomer
here; just from Germany; lives off in
the forest by himself. They say he's
been making up to the servant girl
at old Strays, however; she's believed
to have saved money. She has prob
ably told him that her mistress robbed
the old man; he seems so positive
about it."
But this solution was far from being
that of Mr.. Mordaunt. On the con-
trary, he attributed the accusation of
the man to desire to screen himself
AS if by flash, the whole tragedy from
this moment became clear.
Mr., Mordaunt rose, and leaving the
room, sought the district attorney.
~ want two search warrants" he
said. "One for the trunks of the SER
want girl at Stray's, and another for the
house or cabin Of Bavarian, living, l
am told, at the three mile crossroads
in the forest. Three or four officers,
also, as we may have to make arrests"
"This is rather unusual, as you well
know, but We'll stretch point to please
you," said Mr. Gresham. "I'm afraid
your zeal, for once, however, has out
run your judgment
"Trust me for that" replied Mr..
Mordaunt. "My intuitions in these
matters have never misled me-"
Accordingly, he found, on searching
the Bavarian's house, just what he had
expected; the green uniform of a flag
station guard in Bavaria, with one but
ton missing The button had evidently
been violently wrenched out. The bit
Of cloth attached to the button which
Mr.. Mordaunt had picked up, exactly
fitted the rent.
$50 far, so good said Mr.. Mordaunt.
"Now for the servant girl"
On examining her trunks roll of
note, was discovered, which the farmer
from the forest, who was brought to the
house for the purpose, identified as
part of the money he had paid to the
old man. "See, here is my mark" he
said, showing peculiar cross on each
note. 81 always put that on every bill"
| When this was made known to the
servant, the bravado which she had
shown at first gave way, and she con-
fessed all. The murder had been sug-
gested by the Bavarian, who was in the
kitchen when the farmer came to pay
off his loan. ''The misery wretch has
lived long enough" he argued; "his
death won't harm anybody; this money
will make up rich. He's sure, you say,
to go to the bank with it tomorrow.
We will throw the suspicion on his
daughter"
1t was then, in discussing this part of
the tragedy, that the girl spoke of the
dagger of her mistress. "That is just
the thing" cried Bavarian. 'Get it for
me tomorrow l will hide in the edge
of the woods, watching. till l see the
old man get out; then will steal down
to the back door and get the dagger
from you. Leave the rest to me-
All this happned several years ago.
The Bavarian was arrested, tried: con-
demned and hung, The girl, by turning
states evidence, saved her life. 1t was
not. it was discovered. the first serious
crime of the murderer. He had fled
from Bavaria to avoid arrest for homi-
eide committed there He had never
| ,,,or,, h;S old nm; fprp, eypept on the