Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-04-11

made such professions of sorrow IN re-
gard 10 them that 1 said that l freely
forgave him, and have slnce thought no
more Of the matter
The fact is quite clear 10 me- said
T i know this fellow well, and the
sort of company he keeps, and should
not be surprised to 6nd that lie had
committed the murder. His plan in
cluded Morton's execution as the MUIR
derer, The possession of your hand and
and the estate, so there was no motive
for small robbery-at least, this is my
reading of the case. Now, then, l
want 10 see ihe body of your father.
and the room in which the deed was
done.'
'Well, SIR she said, rising and pre-
pairing to accompany me, you VIII find
everything as it was when first dlscov-
cred the officer concluded not 10 dis
turb anything until after the inquest,
which takes place 10 morrow forenoon
Wrapping myself in my great coat,
we set out, aad after brisk walk of ten
minutes, reached the palatial residence
of my companion. l was at once shown
to the room of the murdered man, and
then began making such examinations
as only detective knows how to make
Circumstances Of The most trivial char
acter. which would be overlooked by
an ignorant person., are often seized
upon by q skllful detective, aud some
times constitute most damning evidence
of guilt. In this case, however, every
thing b ad been done in the most skill
fol manner. and could not succeed ID
makiug any discoveries.
| was about 10 leave the room in de-
spair, when, glancing toward the bed l
noticed what appeared 10 be a light
scratch on the neck Of the murdered
man Just above the gaping wound
which had so cruelty let out his life's
blood. On examination, l found it to
be nothing more than hair, which had
in some manner probably become
loosened from the head Of the assassin,
and had settled on the neck Of the vic
tim. where it now lay, a silent yet
truthful witness, pointing out the guilty
wretch to the eye ofjustce. The hair was
ofa deep red color, which was totally
unlike that of any Of the household. 1t
was indeed the same color and shads as
that of Conard Smithley.
[ placed 1t carefully IN my pocket
book, and saying nothing to any one OF
nv discovery, started for the residence
of Smi;hley, intent on doing little ac-
ting. l found him, as his attendant
said, III in bed, and no account to be
disturbed. Only a ruse,' thought,
80 divert suspicion Stating 10 the wo-
man that l wanted 10 see him but for
moment on the most urgent business,
finally reluctantly consented to my en-
trance. found him lying upon bed
apparently in great pain. In my youth
I had studied medicine, and was conse-
auently we'll informed on such matters
and saw at once with quick glance,
that be was only feigning sickness. tie
started up somewhat angrilv as l enc
tered, but silenced him with a motion
Of my hand.
Conrad Smithley, this is a desperate
game you are playing, but it will avail
you nothing!
What do you mean p he exclaimed,
sprlnglng TO his fee., his sickness all
gone.
& mean that the games up, and the
murderer of John Randolph is discov-
ered.'
AsI had anticipated he sank into
chair. and burylng his face in his hands.
sobbed out; Lost lost y
DO you confess the murder thenT
Recovering hmselfa little, he gasp
ed what proofs have Jou?'
Enough 10 hang you, and nothing
but confession can procure you
lghler punishment. | then rapidly de-
lailed 10 him the circumstances which
led me 10 the conviction that he was
John Randolph'S murderer-his threats
his motives, aud finally the unmstaka-
BILE evidence that he had left OF his
prescuce at his murdered mans bed
side. The last link in the Chain com-
pletely overwhelmed hin. lie asnot
an experienced criminal, and he saw
no hope Of escape.
L confess, lie said, NOW uat con-
cealment is no longer OF use.'
took him at once into custody, and
soon had the satisfaction OF seeing him
change places with Edgar Nor
ton who was oyerjoyed at his release.
Conrad Smithley was tried for mar
der, and, knowing that any defence
would be useless after his confession to
me, pleaded guilty, and threw himself
upon the mercy Of the Court which
Sc .tenced him to Imprisonment Tor
life.
About a ear after, l received an
envelope containing an invitation to the
wedding of Cecile Randolph and Edgar
Morton, who lived long and happily 20
gether, and never ceased thanking me
that Edgar was saved by hair.
MackereI aC our Boarding
House.