The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-09

Car. Owen had had % sninuy III MI
Deresfords quarter, immediately before
dinner.
"some at must have 'appened to put
the captain out. said Leader, shaking
lis wooden head with great air OF VIZ
dom. for IA general he's such quiet
sort-ay. dear. was, | mean pom my
life. It's hard to believe that eS really
goue."
bystanders.
"Yes; Of course, you know, | WASH {
thcre in the room, but tho captain, q
come no the stairs and banged into my
masters room-and then | card ign
words. and ut last the captain banged ont
again and into his own room.
But YOU don't meGn 20 say, Leader
exclaimed another listener, 'tAAu you
think Mr.. Beresford did ~
Course not; but It looks rum that they
should ave Ugh words that very night,
returned Leader, stuoOornly
Naturally. after this. i. did not take
very long for i ramor 70 spread through.
out the barracks that Leader had good
reason to believe that Mr. Berestord was
+ tho murderer Of Capt. Owen; and wien
the London detective. who came down
from Scotland Yard 10 watch tho case !0s
the Owen family. appeared on the scene,
almost the first information lie received
was un account OF Leader remarks. an
account doctored and heightened in such
a way that the unfortunate Young man
scarcely recognized his own story when
he heard ii agaiL.
Poor wretch, when he realized Whit
his blabbing tongue had done. what mi.
chief he had wrought. he made every eI-
tort in his power TO minimize the impress
sion which lac had given.
Ny master murder any one be eX.
claimed I'm unmitigatod horror. when tie
detectives meaning first dawned upon
him NO. no. master, you're on Il wrong
scent this time. Mr. Beresford amt che
Of that sort-'e amt capable OF it."
II don't say he is. my man, but at the
same time I'll trouble You 70 give Inc nm
account Of the row that you say took
place between the two gentlemcn on the
night Of the murder said the detective.
calmly.
Il never told you any row had taken
place at ALL returned Leader, ia vain
attempt to fence tie question.
j never said you did. did H. said tie
detective, Coutemptu Bat You told
il 70 others. and IT trouble yod H. tell /.
to lie.
Then III he Id if tell you any
thing shouted Leader, ia blind lage "
fury
And not l. single word more could the
detective coax or bully out OF him ana
the immediate result was that Beautiful
Jim was a few hours later arrested Oh sus
picion Of being the murderer OK Capt
owen
1t cannot BE- said that jim was half 50
seriously disturbed about the matter Us
his now abjcclly repentant servant was
tie ieii, with the assured consciousness
Of innocence that the detective had
Llundelcd aud that close investigation
would very soon set the whole matter
right 50 far IS he was concerned. It was
q bore going of to the county jail. Of
course. but beyond this Inconvenience he
did not mind very much. And before this
had happened Col Barnes Lad arrived
from Blankhampton. full Of distress Gt
the terrible tragedy, ANA desperatel,
anxious that the offender should be-
brought 10 justice.
II literally tool, his breath away when
hc returned 10 the barracks. after trans
acting some business IN the town, 90 find
that Jim Berestord had been actually ar
rested on suspicion Of being the culprt.
aud he FASTENED of 10 the prison az once
10 Try II he could not see him. The gov.
ernor raised no objection. and he was 1T
once ushered into Beautiful jim pres
ence.
We'll, Beresford, said he, suiting his
voice and manner 10 the occasion, this IS
a very terrible business. p
Il hope It's not necessary for me to pro.
test my innocence 10 you, sir, said jim,
grayely.
My dear lad need not say that moth
ing short OF your own confession could
make me believe you capable oil al act SO
cowardly." said the colonel kindly but
at the same time, Bercstord, it would be
u satisfaction 20 me 10 have your positive
assurance that all was right between you.
Col Barnes said jim. s0lemnly hold
ing out bis hand, Il give yon my word.
on the honor or an officer and q gentle
man. that am absolutely innocent OF this
charge, and as utterly ignorant VI tie
truth as you can DO yourself"
Il believe you implicitly" said the
colonel. taking the young mans out
stretched hand and gripping il hard.
1T was the creates. blow to me, Beau
tiful Jim went Oh, wretchedly. In fact
colonel, could scarcely believe my own
eyes when | went IN the next morning
aud found him OH with shudder. TO
think it could be poor old Owen, the best
friend ever had In all my lite-the dear
chap who smoked his last pipe with NE
only seven or eight hours before '--
He was with you the last thing. the
colonel cried
Yes. colonel. he generally turned into
my room on his way 10 bed and he did
that night"
But what Is this story about your
having bad a quarrel with him. the
colonel asked.
A qdarrel-with Owen-I.' repeated
jim, in accents OF such unmistakable as.
tonishme>t that the colonel saw IN ex
PLANTATION was necessary. and began 10
make one ut once.
Yes there a tale going about. which
| suppose accounts for your being here az
all, that you aud owen had a quarrel that
evening just before dinner"
Never" exclaimed jim, Indignantly
Never, either then OF At any other time
Owen aud never had = wrong word IN
our lives
Il confess il seemed u me incredible
knowing the fast friendship which had
existed between yon ever since you had
been IN the regiment" the colonel said
but such Is the tale. and from What
could gather during the few minutes
was in barracks after hearing the news VI
your your '---
Arrest put in Jim, who was too
anxious 10 hear what the colonel had L.
tell - be above calling this very unpleas
aut spade anything bat u spade. Yes.
sir Well
Il gathered the colonel went Oh. re
lieSed ab0Ct having 10 use the obnoxious
term ''sAat II MAS your servant who set
tie idea 4lJ4t. IL seems that he was in
the kitchen just before mess that night
aud SAW Owen dart into your room AID