The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-10-13
PROOF OF THE MURDER,

At one time / had strange case put
into my hands. A man was supposed
to have been foully murdered. he was
traveller, who had stopped at an inn in
lonely country place, and was there
said to have been murdered for his
money, The landlord was held to be
the guilty party, though there was moth.
ing but suspicion and his previous bad
name to fasten it upon him.
This much l was told by my chief
when he placed the matter in my hands.
He had learned this, and nothing more.
from those who had come to employ
some one to investigate the mystery, /
was told to go and do my best, and |
went.
went first to the individuals by whom
was employed, and of them learned all
L could of the particulars of the affair.
This did not take me long, for they were
few, indeed.
An inn, standing in an isolated spot,
the midst of a forest, had long borne
an evil name. There were many dark
whispers concerning it, and more than
one belated traveller was supposed to
have lost his life there.
A few days before traveller had stop
ped there for the night, and was not
known to have gone away again. More
than that, the landlord drove a new
horse which some were ready to swear
was the one the traveller had ridden.
changed only by few jockey tricks.
My duty was to endeayor to find out
the truth of the matter if possible. It
would never do for me to go there with
my calling known, as it would be sure to
defeat all. But there was no need of
that. was no novice in my profession,
and had all its tricks at heart. [ would
play the part Of a tourist, in search of
some quiet spot where [ could spend a
few days in rural enjoyment. With
everything perfected in the character
was to play, l was on the point of setting
out, when another party appeared upon
the scene.
1t was the brother of the missing
man.
He had not returned at the time ex-
pected, and his friends were anxious for
his safety. His widest fears were
aroused when he learned all. He de-
clared that he would go to the inn at
once IN company with me. But this I
knew would never do. His anxiety
would ruin all. His manner could not
help putting the guilty ones at once on
their guard, So prevailed upon him
to stay behind, promising him to report
progress from time to time.
With matters thus arranged, | set out
for the inn. / went on horseback as the
supposed murdered man had done. [
could not help thinking, as | rode
along, that perhaps the landlord might
try his hand upon me; for to all appear
ances l was very quiet, inotfensiye
looking traveller. But was well armed
and ready for him should he attempt
anything of the kind.
Arriving at the inn, the landlord re-
ceiyed me in person. No sooner didmy
eyes fall upon his countenance than |
decided at once that he was a villain.
A more sinister-looking face | don't
think | ever beheld. The name on the
creaking sign was Saul Farman.
l stated my wishes to him, and was
told that the house and all it contained
was at my disposal. He would do the
best for me that he could. SO a bar
gain was struck, and | was soon dom
lclled IN my quarters. Then | went
quietly about my errand.
There was no positive proof yet that
the missing man was dead. Still, IN nv
own mind, there was no doubt. | was
sure that | had seen very many of his
effects. His brother had described them
too mlnutely for me to be mistaken.
Thus day after day went on. had no
fears at all for nay own safety now. l
had gwen him to understand that | was
the pastor of church who had been
granted leave of absence to recruit nv
health. If he believed this. he knew
well that L was not game worth the DOW
der. Such a class are not supposed to
nave a great amount of ready money
about them.
One day, the brother, impatient at
not hearing from me, came to the inn
to make discoveries fer himself. [ was
alarmed at his appearance. for / was
afraid 1t would spoil all. Before he
could do any mischief, / determined to
get hlm ont of the way, as | was afraid
ne would excite the landlords suspicious.
ana therefore suggested that we should
go out shooting. To this he agreed, for
ne wished to see ME alone where there
would be no chance of our being over
heard.
The landlord provided us with two
old-fashIoned guns and we departed, |
taking our way toward the river, which |
ran some half a mile from the house.
Arrived upon its bank, we sat down to |
have consultation as to what was best |
to be done. described infinitely to him
what discoveries l had made, and he was
for arresting him at once. But to this I
objected. There was no positive proof
q his brothers death. More evidence,
II possible, must be obtained. L did
not believe that jury would convict
hlm ON the evidence l had got.
While thus lazily discussing the mat
ter, L CHANGED to glance across the
stream, and beheld a rabbit standing on
The opposite bank. At sight of it re-
hembered the ostensible object on
which | had come, and raising the gun
discharged it in that direction. / don't
Know whether the rabbit was harmed or
lot, but the piece kicked so that it sent
ne upon my back. TIC this day don't I
now but what the landlord meant to
W sae, BY pattiBg in SO tremendous s