San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-03-25

ing 1t up Tor Mr.. Haiix.loS1 to see, said:
This may lead to the discovery of the rob
bers, and possibly to the recovery of your
property"
He was silent
Looking up from the key in my hand, l
saw that he was deathly pale and trembling
violently.
80" thought ''at last your self posses
sion deserts you"
Feeling sure that the key belonged to him
and that he had dropped it there, said:
That did not belong to the gardener,
did itm
NO" he answered, almost in a whisper
that belonged to my father, and to my
grandfather before him"
"Ohl Then it was among the stolen
jewelryi The rogues dropped it when they
buried or dug up the trunk"
''No; it was not among the stolen things, !"
Mr. Hammond replied, in measured sort Of
way There was something about the tone
of his voice which had sadness in it,
thought.
Not liking to watch his discomfort, began
digging theoretically. | had not dug far
when the spade struck something soft and
yielding, yet with resistance enough to stop
the spade. struck it again, and this time
uncovered what appeared to be cloth, and the
next stroke showed it to be the sleeve of a
mans coat, with a CHASTITY hand protruding
from it.
| jumped back with a cry of horror. At
the same instant a similar exclamation
escaped Mr.. Hammond's lips
This is work for the coroner" said l.
And the hangman," added Mr.. Ham,
mond, in a whisper.
Ny first thought was Of the missing gar,
dener, and believed was in the presence of
the murderer as well as the murdered. Could
it be possiblel If so, why had he come here
and let the discovery be made2 Moreover,
what motive could have induced him to kill
the gardener These thoughts flashed through
my mind rapidly.
Second thought caused me to look more
closely at the dead hand Perhaps this was
not the gardener after ell
No, it was not; most certainly, this hand
never did any work; the fineness of the skin
and the appearance of the nails plainly
showed that the hand was not that OF work
ing man.
Without further thought of coroners, be
gan to dig again, though very carefully now,
and finally using my hands
Very soon l uncovered the unfortunate
mans face.
Great heavensl Was awake or dreaming
some horrible dream3
Here, lying partly buried in the earth,
were the face and form Of Mr.. Hammond
Here was Mr.. Hammond dead and buried
Here was Mr.. Hammond standing looking
into his own grave and trembling like an
aspen.
With an effort convinced myssk that
was awake, and not dreaming.
This wonderful Likeness accounted for nv
cruel misjudgment of Mr. Hammond.
Yes; | could see that this man was older
looking than Mr.. Hammond, now that ex
amined his face. Death had changed it
somewhat but could swear to the identity
OF this man and the man who sat smoking a
cigar on the rock.
who is her asked, feeling sure Mr..
Hammond could answer me.
My brother"
"Killed by the gardeners" said.
Eyes; fear so, and all for those miserable
jewels. must tell you a very sad story, Mr..
Brainard, in order to explain this to you.
"My poor brother, here, was even more
fond Of jewels than l, and had remarkable
collection Of his own, although mine excelled
his in many particulars. Our mother, who
yes, must tell you-died insane, had the
same passion for jewels, and think tram,
mitted it to US have no doubt that my
brother, in his mania to add my specimens to
his own, bribed my man-whom he may have
sent here months ago for this purpose-to
assist him. feel sure that John killed him
to get the jewels, as well as the bribe."
Mr. HammOnd's unfortunate brother was
buried in the family lOt after a cOroner's in,
quest.