Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-27
EHuQht in His lWl Trap.
CONCLUDED.

Vi bno AaUe squire. EOr one InlnSs MI
Weber was not anxious to begin the quest
until the excitement occasioned by the news
that the will was not to be found, as the
Squire had stated, which passed through
the whole household like an electrical shock,
had time to subside. He wished also 20
allow Doggett time to discover some clue
before courting the risks of fresh suspicion
that would be certain to arise when once the
search was begun in good earnest, and
ended-as he feared it would end-in bar
ren result.
Doggett-or Holmes, as he was known at
Eversleigh-soon succeeded in installing
himself a prime favorite in the servants
hall, though it must be admitted that his
gleanings from that field were few and poor.
He soon learnt, however, that both the cous-
ins were uncommon sweet on their dear
young lady," but opinion was sharply di-
yided among the servants as to who would
prove the lucky man. Both Ralph and
Eric were equally popular; Ralph as treated
by the late Squire EXACTLY as his owns son, !"
and Eric for his genial and courteous man.
ners. The servants, too, though closely
watched by the astute detective, were seen
to be thoroughly honest As Bennett
(whom Doggett succeeded in turning inside
out in very little time) observed, there's
not one of the servants who would injure a
hair of master Ralph's head or do anything
to vex Miss Eversleigh; and both things
would happen if any of them had tampered
with the will I" "Besides," he asked, tri-
umphantly, "why should they do it? Tell
me that. Why should they do it now?"
One important fact, however, the detect
i've succeeded in worming out of the butler.
When he received the 'Squire's clothing,
and Mr.. Eversleigh's own instructions to
see that they were brushed and replaced in
his wardrobe, he took them to his own
room and laid them aside.
81 had something else to think about, 1
do assure you, Just then," said Bennett, 'be-
sides giving out his clothes to be brushed,
when DR.. Deane came down stairs and told
me the bad news. When heard that my
poor dear master was dying, you might have
knocked me down with feather. Yes, you
might His clothes went clean out of nv
head. They were never meddled with until
the next morning, when 1 emptied the
pockets and gave them to james to brush. ="
"And the keys were not there then ?''
asked Doggett
''No, Of course not, Mr.. Holmes" said
Bennett. "Else where should they be
hearer, who had grown to entertain hearty
liking for the old servant.
''And, naturally, you did not lock your
room at night ?'' Doggett continued.
= ''No, didn't. We are all honest people
here, can tell you.''
Here, then, was q clew at last, and one
that seemed worth while following up. II
any persons wanted to obtain possession oi
the 'Squire's keys in order to make away
L. L. A.
availing themselves of Benefits absence
from his room during the long, miserable
night when the Squire lay dying?
"Phew," cried the detective softly to him.
self, as he strobe down the avenue of elms,
whittier he had retreated to think the mat
ter out without danger of interruption.
f'How stupid of me not to have thought oi
that before. There can only be one of the
young men for it. The only question is,
which of them is the culprit? Is it Eric?
The trick would be too blackguardly for a
nice-spoken fellow like General Vernon
son to do. When he can have Miss Evers-
leigh and snug fortune with her, as Ben
nett says, for the asking, he could scarcely
be so covetous as to want the whole. There
is only Ralph for it. But what could be
his little game? To refuse to allow Miss
Eversleigh to act on her fathers will un-
less she consented to include herself with
the estates? Not bad idea that 1 must
have stricter eve on them BOTH
The search for the missing will was fixed
to commence after lunch on the Monday
after the funeral. Mr. Webber, deciding
that occupation of so exciting a nature
would serve to withdraw Miss Eversleigh
from too much brooding over her loss, OBJ
tained her consent to assist in the quest.
Eric offered his services with alacrity, and
was Joined to the party. Ralph moodily
stood aloof, declining, for reasons to be dis
closed, to bear a hand. Mr.. Weber
pressed Bennett into the service, who, if
the truth must be told, would have been
highly offended il he had been left out in
the cold. Doggett was allowed to remain
master of his own movements, to join in the
search or to employ himself as he pleased.
Mr.. Weber was sitting in the library be-
fore lunch when the detective entered the
room,
'I should just like to have a word with
you, sir, before you begin"
Every good, but make your story as short
at is only to say that hope You will
find the will, and 1 think you may"
"Why do you think SOP"
''Because if this is a stolen will case 1
don't think it will ever be unravelled-the
culprit in that case has laid his plans too
well. Of the two alternatives lean to the
idea that the Squire mislaid it and then
forgot that be had done So"
'But the keys? How do you get over the
ksys?"
'I admit that the keys are important, and
If anybody was bent on destroying the will
they had ample opportunity to do SO, for
Bennett did not examine the clothes un-
til the morning after"
''That is very important" said Mr.. Web
Der.
"Yes, it is important, supposing that
there is q scamp in the house. Is there? If
so. who is it? There are only three persons
for it-Miss Eversleigh, Mr.. Ralph and Mr..
Eric. OF course, it is our business to sus-
pect everybody, but we must look to mo-
tive. The only person interested in the de-
struction Of the will appears to be Miss
Eyersleieh, but that is impossible Shall
We sav M. Ralph? It would be a curions
thing for a man to do: destroy a will that
gave him fine estate like this. Still he
might have some motive for so mad an act.
'fBy .Jovel Doggett,," cried Mr.. Weber,
81 believe you have caught the right pig
by the ear. 1t is Just the thing that that
young man would do, if it entered his
head to suppose that the Squire was unjust
in leaving the property away from his
daughter
Doggett maintained an unbroken silence,
eagerly watching the countenance of his
Why not Mr.. Eric, If we are to begin
py suspecting the family" demanded Mr..
neoper suddenly after pause.
M. Eric loses q legacy by the disap-
peaTs,nce OF the will. What is his mo-
Have you considered this question, I"