Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1885-09-26

look like a murderer. Two doors fur
Their down Henderson led me into the
office of the local physician and intro
duced me as friend who wished to be
present at the coroner's inquest.
DR.. Jones smiled and asked me to
be seated. In an hour the inquest
would be held in his office. Was | in
terested in medicine?
Decidedly So" replied: but ex-
cusing myself from waiting, and promis.
ing to be back within an hour, | bow.
ed myself out with Henderson.
Now, my dear fellow. let us go to
the orchard" said |.
A cross path brought us to the scene
of the tragedy without passing the
house. | was shown the tree, the cord,
the path by which Squire jackson
came and went. Then | babe Hender-
son good by.
go to your lady-love and forget me
for three days" said 1. eff [ need you
| will leave word at the Office, Other
wise meet me there on the third even
ing at eight o'clock And one thing
more; when you reach your office, con-
ceaI policeman in your closet who
can overhear our conversation, and be
armed yourself. Not word. Good
by"
Before he could speak l had left
him.
One, two, three days. The inquest,
with its verdict of death by his own
hand" the solemn funeral, and public
wonder had ceased. A new excite
ment filled the town, and the old one
was forgotten. The third day drew to
close. A little before eight | strolled
up the street with friend and drop
ed into Jim Henderson's office. Ny
friend, Carl Mott, introduced to Hen
derson and opened the conversation
as follows:
"Mr Henderson, you will recollect
that said to you at the time of Squire
Jackson's death, that the insurance
companies would not pay upon the life
of a suicide ?"
Eyes, sir" he returned stiffiy.
"Well, sir, interested as was in this
matter, because of the claim which |
hold against the deceased, l have been
carefully looking into the manner of
his death, assisted by Mr.. Mott. who
has long known him, and we have
come to the settled conclusion that Mr..
jackson did not die by his own hand. "
"Indeed?" said Henderson, still more
stiffiy.
Eyes, sir, such is our belief. And if
you will permit me [ will lay before
you the reasons for our having arrived
at this conclusion, merely calling your
attenti IN to the fact that if it can be
proven that Squire jackson was MUIR
dered you would be largely the gamer.
81 suppose that my promised wife
would, in that case, receive the insur-
ance after paying the debt which you
hold" said Jim, in cold voice.
Exactly, sir" l returned. "And
in such case you would doubtless be
willing to pay for such proof?"
swell, sir" said Henderson, scorn-
fully, 81 presume that | should, for
Miss Jackson's sake. Stateyour terms"
"If we can satisfactorily prove this
fact" said l soothingly, " so that the
insurance companies can be induced
to pay, should expect you to settle
in. full the debt which | represent, and
to present Mr.. Mott and myself with
the sum of five thousand dollars each. ,
Ioo,to,o1 Than ha
replied =
The terms are high, but | accept
them"
Good and now for the proof, My
friend has collected most of it, and has
it in tabular form. MIR Mott will you
read what you have I"
Mr.. Mott produced his tablets and
proceed to read as follows;
First. Mr.. jackson had no momo-
mania nor disappointment to induce
the idea of selfdestruction.
Second. He was too old man to
arrange the rope as found upon the
orchard tree.
Third. He could not have climbed
the tree without ladder or the assls-
lance of some second party.
Fourth. 1t would have been i'm
possible for him to hang himself except
by arranging the rope while in the
tree and then jumping down. This he
evidently did not do, as it was impossi-
BILE for him to climb the tree without
assistancesas stated in point three.
Fifth. The rope is {. foreign one
not to be obtained in this country.
Sixt. A notch had been cut in the
limb in order to fasten the rope. No
knife was found upon Mr.. Jacksun's
person.
Seventh. Mr.. Jackson knew of the
loss Of insurance in case Of suicide.
Mr.. Mott closed his memoranda and
f looked up. Henderson was regarding
, him with fixed stare, Fearing toe
sudden an explosion, spoke quickly
"Let me lock the door Mr.. Hender
son. We may be interrupted" and
, suited the action to the word. Seating
, myself, | continued, II have also made
a few notes in addition to those of my
friend, which offer fer your consid
. Grafton.
f First. | have here bit of foreigl
rope, apparently cut from the core
l which hung Mr.. jackson.
Second. l have also knife with I
t nicked blade which answers to tn
e mark upon the tree where a knife ha'
:, been used.
, Third. | have three links of a gol'
I; watch-chain and pendent, picked N
: beneath"
was interrupted by sudden CT.
= from Carl Mott.
a "Great God Where did you"
= r. Il 4 l.