Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-08-02
TheMEterydaHanSonCab
CHAPTER VI
By FERGUS W. HUME

When Mr. torDy le1t fOssum villa no
doubt remained In his mind as to who had
committed the murder. Tho gentleman in
the light coat had threatened to murder
Whyte, even In the open street-these last
words being especially signihcant-and there
was no doubt that he had carried out his
threat What the detective had now to do
was to find who the gentleman in the light
coat was, where he lived, and, having found
out these facts, ascertain his doings on tho
night Of the murder. Mrs. Hableton had de-
scribed him, but was ignorant Of his name,
and her very vague description might apply
to dozens Of young men In Melbourne. There
was only one person who, in Mr.. Gorby's
opinion, could tell the name of the gentleman
in the light coat, and that was Moreland, the
intimate friend of the dead man. What
puzzled the detective was that Moreland
should be ignorant Of his friends tragic
death, seeing that the papers we're full OF the
murder, and that tie reward gave an excel
lent description Of the personal appearance
Of the deceased. The only way in which
Gorby could accoupt for Moreland's extraor.
binary silence was that he was out Of town,
and had neither seen the papers nor heard
any one talking about the murder II this
was the case he might either stay away for
an indefinite time or might come back after
few days. At all events it was worth while
going down to St Kilda in the evening on
the chance that Moreland might have re-
turned to town and would call and see his
friend. So, after his tea, Mr.. Gorby put on
his hat and went down to Possum Villa on
what he could not help acknowledging to
himself was very slender possibility.
Mrs Hableton opened the door for him,
and in silence led the way into her own
sitting room.
They were barely seated when knock
came at the front door, loud and decisive, on
hearing which Mrs. Hableton sprang hastily
to her feet. "That may be Mr.. Moreland,"
she said. 81 never ave visitors in the
evenin', bein' lone widder, and II It is i'm
I'll bring i'm in ERE"
She went out, and presently Gorby, who
was listening intently, heard q mans voice
ask IL Mr.. Whyte was at home "No, sir, he
amt" answered the landlady, "but there's a
gentleman in his room askin' after i'm.
Won't you come in, sirT"
'For a rest, yes" returned the visitor, and
Immediately afterwards Mrs aableton ap-
peared, ushering In the late Oliver Whyte's
most intimate friend He was tall, slender
man, with a pink and white complexion,
curly fair hair, and a dropping straw colored
mustache-altogether a strikingly aristo-
cratic individual He was well dressed in q
fashionable suit of check, and had cool,
nonchalant air about him.
"And where is Mr.. Whyte to nightF' he
asked, sinking into chair, and taking no
more notice of the detective than if lie had
been an article of furniture
"Haven't you seen him latelyr asked the
detective, quickly Mr.. Moreland stared in
an insolent manner at his questioner for a
few moments, as If he were debating the ad-
visibility OF answering or not At last he
apparently decided that he would, for slowly
pulling off one glove he leanecb back in his
chair
"No, have not" he said, with yawn.
N 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 him in a
thoughtful manner.
~ hope" said Moreland, nonchalantly, II
hope you will know me again, my friend; but
I didn't know Whyts had started lunatic
asylum during my absence. Who are your
Mr.. Gorby came forward and stood under
the gaslight "My uame is Gorby, sir, and l
am detective" he said quietly.
"Ahl indeed" said Moreland, coolly look
ing him up and down. "What has Whyte
been doing, running away with some ones
wife. ehi know he has little weaknesses of
that sort"
Gorbv shook his hsad
''Do you know where Mr.. Whyte is to be
foundg he asked cautiously.
Moreland laughed.
"Not |, my friend, +" said he lightly. 81
presume he is somewht re about here, as these
are his headquarters. What's he been doingi
Nothing that can surprise me, assure you
he was always an erratic individual,
and"-
"He paid reg'ler." interrupted Mrs. liable
ton, pursuing up her lips.
"A most enviable reputation to possess, "
answered the other with a sneer, sand one
I'm afraid I'll never enjoy. But why all this
questioning about Whytea What's the matter
with himT'
HHes deadl" said Gorby, abruptly.
All Moreland's nonchalance vanished on
hearing this, and he started up out Of his
chair.
''Dead," he repeated mechanically. "What
do you meanT'
II mean that Mr. Oliver Whyte was mur.
dered In hanson cab"
Moreland stared at the detective in puz
z!cdt ::ort Of 'Hy, and passed his a.ll acros~
bis forehead.
"Excuse me, my head Is In whirl," be
said, as he sat down again. "Whyte muir
deredl He was all right when | left him
nearly two weeks ago."
~-.Hayen't you seen the papersr' asked
Gorby.
s'Not for the last two weeks" replied More
land ~ have been up country, and it was
only on arriving back in town tonight that
I heard about the murder at all, as my land
lady gave me garfield account Of it, but
never for moment connected 1t with Whyte,
and came down here to see him, as had
agreed to do when left, Poor fellowl poor
fellowi poor fellowr' and much overcome,
be buried his face in his hands.
MIR. Gorby was touched by his evident dis.
tress, and even Mrs. Hableton permitted q
small tear to roll down one hard cheek as a
tribute of sorrow and sympathy. Presently
Moreland raised bis head, and spoke to Gorby
in husky tone
"Ten me all about it." be said. leaning his
cheek on his hand. Everything you know.
He placed his elbows on the table, and
buried bis face In his hands again, while the
detective sat down and related all that ht
knew about Whyte's murder. When it was
doae be lifted up his head, and looked sadly