The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-11

began TO fiji orr minds. We both dropped upon
our knees and began to examine the skeleton
closely. Kaufman. who had recovered from
his fright, stood over us. Yes. death must
have been violent. The bones at the back
OF the head were badly fractured. A curious
noise behind made look around. There
stood our lord and master Mr. Bennett
with his overcoat thrown back and
Immediately dressed IN evening clothes, his
eyes glazing at us. and pale death. We all
stood If transfxed In a moment he recovered
himself. turned. and ran. We heard the onter
door slam after him, and the rattle of the iron
galleries and stair cases ne rushed along them.
Then v e all woke up. Catch him. shouted
OBri Ell and at TOD speed We rushed down the
stairs and into the street The moon was al
most directly above and gave brilliant light.
which distinctly revealed our employer fleeing
in the direction of Trinity Church. 1t was mid
night and the street filed with people wait
ing for the stroke of twelve 'sMurderi Stop
thiefp we all three shrieked and cried
out the bells of Trinity sounded. the chimes
began to play a tune and shouts and dscordane
notes of fish horns filed the air. The fight of
Ambrose Bennett. Esq, was soon arrested, and
two Ntalwart policeman took him in charge and
bore him struggling TO the nearest station.
The gentleman who wrote Mr. Bacon from
Boston was interviewed. He recoliected the
man who offered him the note of the Phoenix
Cattle Company, and this man, IN turn. was
able to snow by his hooks that the note had been
duly paid at maturity by Mr. Bennett. the pres
ident of the company. And yet the books of
the company made no mention whatever of
sucn note.
charged with the murder of his old partner, and
made to stand his trial The evidence against
him was strong and convincing. although cir
cumstantial. His payment of note of which
the compapy's books said nothing furnished
good reason for inferriug that he had been rails
ing money for his own purposes on the COM
panys credit. Old Mr.. Baeons knowledge of
the existence of the note furnished motive for
putting him out OF the way, for utter and com
plete disgrace would have attended
me the aase ,I ta d.,;c,; +haspai neh
fractured skull. Another piece of evidence
was the telegram from Bennett saying he would
meet Bacon at his Office within hour two
after the time Bacon was seen last. Benefits
complete and utter silence AS to this telegram
another circumstance. Benefits state
ment that he did not arrive in New York until
the following morning the prosecution were
able to prove false. His attempt to escape also
weighed heavily against him The conclusion
murdered Bacon and locked the body IN the safe
AS TO his assertion on his return from Washing
ton that he was unable to unlock the safe. that,
of course not entitled to much weight
under the circumstances He must have
collected the numbers which he had written out
and sent in to Mr.. Bacon.
The jury found bin guilty and not long after
wards he made a full confession. In the year
of 1873 he had bought at great bargain large
piece of land, hoping to DISPOSE of it at profit
before the arrival of the day fixed for the delv-
cry of the deed and the paymen. of the purchase
money But as the time approached he founo
himself with the property Sill on his hands.
and without the necessary funds He knew
that the seller of the property had regretted his
action dispoSine of it. and would grant ex-
tension. So. at the last moment, he made
note of the Phoenix Cattle Company for $50, 900
and discounted il, confidently expecting to
sell the land to advantage in short time. and
square accounts with the company. But in
few weeks the panic, and the
value of all land was greatly deprecated. The
first note be obliged to meet by issuing
another similar one for little larger amount,
the second by still another. and so on. He
found it safer to sell the notes in other cities.
and the one referred TO in the letter to Mr..
Bacon he bad succeeded it disposing of in
Boston. OLD Mr.. Bacon and he met at the Office
that evening st the hour named in the telegram.
81 went to the Office" Bennett said in his con-
fession, directly from the train. without stop
ping for dinner, and there I found Mr. Bacon
uneasily walking up and down. He followed
me into my room and seated himself at my
table with his back to the hre l had some
papers with me which desired to put away.
and So for had recollected the ombination of
attempt, however, unsuccessful At
some time during my manipula tons l must
have turned the knob too far or not far
enough, for when / had finished the door
manned securely locked ever. At first I
thought had forgotten the number, and asked
Mr.. Bacon for it. He told me of the loss of the
scrap of paper If did not know the number,
he said. it would be necessary to break open the
door. / tried again. This time was success
papers. AS turned again Mr.. Bacon was hold
ing the letter which he had received in his land.
Read that he said. thrusting it towards me-
What does it meant And then, before had
read line, I've looked through all
the books. They say nothing of such note"
'Such a notes That made everything plain
enough. 1t was unnecessary to read the letter.
So the secret VIZ good discovered What
ecn-d l manufacture? The broker
who had solo eAe note had seen me write it.
Lying would have been worse than useless.
confessed everything Give me little time,
begged, and / would repay the company Saye
me from public dishonor and disgrace. No-the
directors should know everything the next day
Il should resign the presidency of the company
partnership should terminate
Their and there. 'Go!" he said waving his hand
and turning his back upon me. Leave the of
fee. do not wish to look at you" He sat and
gazed fxedly at the black night eehind the win
dows at the back of the room. 1 stood and
looked at him. / was young man then only
thirty-four years old. Ten years earlier I had
come to New York fresh from a law-school
Door and without friends. For six months l
had sought in vain for position which would
afford me the slightest compensation. For
six years had lived in earrets. saving every
penny that l could from my meaere earnings.
[ had worked early and late and denied myself
all pleasures. At last had secured position.
had become a partner in one OF the most
prosperous firms in the city, and-for Mr.. Ba-
can was an old mantle presumptive successor
to all its business. But all my toll. it seemed
had been in vain. Everything which l had
gained was about to be swept away, and all
hopes for the future destroyed. Whether
/ went to jail or not depended upon the elem
Dlete ruin and dishonor hung over By the
side of the CRATE stood q heavy steel bar used in
pokng and stirring the fire. / seized it, lifted
i in the air. and brought it down
with all my strength upon Mr..
Bacon's head he looking
away from me. He fell without a cry-dead.
The door of the strong room stood open. Some
place must be found for the body. / dra gged il
into the safe, shut the door and locked it. l
recollected what had been told about the
loss of the com ination and the next morning
cross examined every BODY in the Office upon the
subject. Mr.. Bacon had been right, it seemed.
The scrap of paper had disappeared in the dust
heap and / alone knew what numbers were
written upon it. Let the body stay where it
was then, for the present at least What safer
place could be found for it, And as day after
lay went by that was still my thought. did not
wish it again 1 said to myself-some
lay / will take it away,-destroy
It. Then the safe be opened and used
again. lest people should think it curious that ii
stands locked and empty. But for the present
ct it STAY where It is. 1t is safe from discovery
there No one will break into the safe while [