Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-12-11

ndu not Deen seen since he lett on his
vacation, more than a fortnight ago,
have found that he was seen here,
within two blocks of where we row
stand, on the night of the MURDER
1T will 60 hard with him, won't it?''
lizard? 1t will hang himl'
Tom Daley had made no mistake.
The man who had eluded him was in
deed Lyme Laird, the accepted lover OF
the dead millionaire's niece.
Naulting a second wall he escaped
the eyes of the watchman, and was soon
a mile from the place.
In the busiest portion of the city he
entered large lodging house, and
quietly mounted to the upper floor.
Then he unlocked door and passed
into a small, scantily furnished sleeping
room.
He placed his burden, a large wire
cage, upon the bed, and proceeded 10
light lamp.
Then he threw himself INTO a chair.
What do 1 not owe to Susie?'' muir
INJURED he. but for her would never
have imagined myself suspected. She
was more than n match for Detective
Graves. Her warning may save me,
yet"
still. I'm in a bad box he re-
sumed, after moments reflection.
ut Will be shown that l was here the
night of the muIder, probably that l
was seen to enter the house. Bes ldes
this, and my recent visit to Keokuk,
tie murderer has no doubt left clues
purposely to entangle me. If L only
had a suspicion of the real perpetrator.
all might be well. Polly Ballou, there
is my only hope"
He turned toward the cage from
which large parrot was peering forth
IF anything was said, either by the
assassin or his victim, its ten 10 one she
will repeat it, continued the young
man. Il remember her as something
wonderful as an imitator."
"PerdiZloner'
AT this word, uttered in the shrill,
falsetto voice of the parrot, Lyme
Laird sprang excited y to his feet.
''Perdizione!' he repeated. Its the
favorite oath of Mezzofanti, Mr.. Thorn
dale's old partner in the cigar importing
trade. L heard him use it frequently
when he was here three years ago. l
always suspected him of designs on the
old mans fortune. He's the murderer"
''PerdiZionel''
Neither Lyme Laird, nor Polly Bal
lou, pronounced the word this time. 1t
eminated from a man whose dark scowl-
ing face was glowering down from the
transom over the door connecting with
the adjoining apartment.
who's there?" came from the par
rot"
Pretty Polly" said Lyme. encour-
agingly.
''Michael Mezzofanti. you have killed
mel' shrieked the bird.
81 am savedl'' cried Laird.
"PerdiZioneI''
The word was softly Missed out as the
dark face vanished above the door.
Early the following morning Lyme
Lard was arrested by Graves the de-
tective.
He waved an immediate hearing, and
was remanded for three days.
In the meantime a strange thing came
to light.
This was the discovery among the
dead mans papers, of a will executed
by him three years before.
With the exception of $1,000 given
Susie Traux, his entire fortune was
devised to his old time partner, Michael
MeZZofanti, of New Orleans.
While this caused a decided sensation
few were surprised. Mr.. Thorndale
had been an exceedingly eccentric man,
AID always professed great regard for
MeZZofanti, to whom, since the dissOlu-
tion of their partnership many years
before, he had more than once advanced
money.
a telegram was at once sent to New
Orleans, apprising the legatee of his
/ good fortune, and OH the second day he
put In an appearance and qualified As
the executor of the estate.
When the case of Lyme Laird was
called. the courtroom Was crowded.
a strong prima facie case was made
| by the prosecution, and the defendant
placed IN the box to testify III his own
behalf.
He protested his innocence, and stated
that he had called upon the murdered
man to beg the hand of his niece il
marriage.
He admitted that he had entered the
mansion the night before his arrest and
had carried away a large cage, contain
| ing Mr.. Thorndale's favorite parrot,
known as Polly Ballou, which, upon
his arrest he had left in the custody OF
| his landlady.
"Why did you do that?n asked the
| attorney for the State.
~ thought she might be able to clear
me of the suspicion l knew TO be upon
me, by repeating what ever was said al
! the time of The murder
Il have sent for the bird,' remarked
! the mag istrate.
but, your honor" sneered the law
| yer, "a parrot don't understand the ma
tire of an oath"
who's therer' came from the sub
| ject of the discussion, which was being
torne into the court room.
Pretty Polly" said Lyme, and stole
glance at the fearful, yet holeful
| face of hls yet constant sweetheart.
He saw the encouraging smile upon
her pale face suddenly transformed into
a look Of agony, and noted a CLEAN OF
/ triumph in the sinister eyes of the eX
ecutor, as the bird shrieked out:
You have murdered me, Lyme
Lairdl''
II withdraw my objection - said TIE
| LAWYER for the prosecution when the
exclamation of astonishment which had
swept through the room had been sue,
ceeded by hush of horror.
~ suppose that settles it," remarked
the magistrate sadly, as he took up d
pen for The apparent purpose of writing
! down his judgment.
! w ait, please, SAID susie ITauA,
and whispered something to Ler lover:
attorney.
Without a word the latter rushed
! from the place.
In few minutes lie returned almost
/ breatnless.
This Is John Polatsky," said he,
! pointing to an old man who followed
/ him, ''Ihe leading bird fancier of the
/ city. Let him be sworn.
Ibid you sell birds to the late Israel
ThOrndale?" was the first question.
"Yes, many"