Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1888-12-29
TheMySteryofaHan
By FERGUS ". HUlIE

By FERGUS ", HUML
"No, have not" he said. with yawn
81 have been up the country for few days,
and only arrived back this evening, SO have
not seen him for over a week Why do you
askT
The detective did not answer, but stood
looking at the young man before hlm in
thoughtful manner.
"l hope" SAID Morelaud, nonchalantly, Il
hope you will know me again, my friend; but
didn't know Whyte bad started a lunatic
asylum during my absence Who are youF
Mr. Gorby came forward and stood under
the gaslight "My name is Gorby. sir, and
am a detective" he said quietly.
"Ahl indeed" said Moreland, cooily look
ing him up and down. What has Whyte
been doing, running away with some ones
wife, eh9 | know he has little weaknesses of
that sort"
Gorby shook his head
"Do you know where Mr.. Whyte is to be
foundr' he asked cautiously.
Moreland laughed.
mot [, my FRIEND" said he lightly. 81
presume he is somewhere about here, as these
are his headquarters. What's he been doinga
Nothing that can surprise me, assure you
he was always an erratic individual.
and"-
"He paid regler," interrupted Mrs. liable
ton. pursuing up her lips
"A most enviabe reputation to possess"
answered the other with a sneer, land one
I'm afraid I'll never enjoy. But why all this
questioning about Whytes What's the matter
with HING
"Hes deadl" said Gorbv, abruptly
All Morelands nonchalance vanished on
hearing this, and he started up out of his
chair
Dead" he repeated mechanically. "What
do you meanP
~ mean that Mr.. Oliver Whyte was muir
dered in hanson cab"
Moreland stared at the detective in puz-
zled sort of way, and passed his hand across
his forehead
"Excuse me, my head is in whirl," he
said, as he sat down again. "Whyte mur-
dered He was all right when | left him
nearly two weeks ago"
Haven't you seen the papersT asked
Gorby
mot for the last two weeks" replied More
land 81 have been up country, and 1t was
only on arriving back in town tonight that
| heard about the murder at ALL as my land
lady gave me a garbled account of it, but
never for moment connected it with Whyte,
and came down here to see him, as had
agreed to do when left. Poor fellow! poor
! fellowl poor fellowp and much overcome,
| he buried his face in his hands
| Mr. Gorby was touched by his evident dis
tress. and even Mrs. Hableton permitted
small tear to roll down one hard cheek rs a
tribute of sorrow and sympathy. Presently
Moreland raised his head, and spoke to Gorby
In husky tone.
"Tell me all about it, be said leaning his
cheek on his hand. "Everything you know"
He placed his elbows on the table, and
buried his face in his hands again, while the
detective sat down and related all that he
knew about Whyte's murder. When it was
done he lifted up his head, and looked sadly
at the detective.
"If | had been in town." he said, ''this
would not have happened, for l was always
beside Whyte."
"You knew him very well, sirf' said the
detective, in a sympathetic tone
1--WE were like brothers," replied More
land, mournfully, 81 came out from Eng
land in the same steamer with him, and used
to visit him constantly here"
Mrs Hableton nodded her head to imply
that such was the case.
"In fact" said Mr.. Moreland, after mo-
ment's thought, II believe l was with him
the night he was murdered"
Mrs Hableton gave slight scream, and
threw her apron over her face, but the de-
tective sat unmoved, though Morelands last
remark had considerably startled him.
"What's the matterl" said Moreland, turn
ing to Mrs Hableton. Don't be afraid
! didn't kill him; no, but l met him last
Thursday week, and left for the country ON
| Friday morning at half-past T."
"And what time did you meet Whyte on
Thursday nightr' asked Gorby.
al Let me see, said Moreland, crossing his
legs and looking thoughtfully up to the cell
ing. ''it was about half-past 9 O'Clock. l
was in the Orient hotel, on Bourke street
We had a drink together and then went up
the street to hotel in Russell street, where
wa had another. In fact" said Moreland,
coolly, 1--WE had several other drinks"
eyes" said Gorby, placidly. ''Go on"
swell of-it's hardly the thing to confess
It," said Moreland, looking from one to the
other with pleasant smile, .'but in case
like this, feel it my duty to throw all social
scruples aside. We both got very drunk"
"Ahl Whyte was, as we know, drunk
when he got into the cab-and you-p
'Was not quite SO bad as Whyte," an
swered the other. ~ had my senses about
me- fancy he left the hotel some minutes
before o'clock on Friday morning"
sand what did you dor
81 remained in the hotel He left his over
coat behind him, and picked it up and fol
lowed him shortly afterward to return it, |
was too drunk to see what direction he had
gone in, and stood leaning against the hotel
door In Bourke street with the coat in my
hand. Then some one came up, and, snatch
ing the coat out of my hand, made off with
It. and the last thing remember was shout
ing out, Stop, theft Then must have
fallen down, for next morning was in bed
with all my clothes on, and they were very
muddy. I got up and left town for the coun-
try by the $50 train, SO l knew nothing
about the matter until came back to Mel
bourne tonight That's all know"
"And you had no impression that Whyte
was watched that nightP'
nd