The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-14
4 Mad MARRIAGE:
The Heiress of Law
renee Park.
4 STORY OF ABSORBING INTEREST.
By MRS. =. y. COLLINS.
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.
AN AWFUL CHARGE.
Arthur Wynne stood beside that still,
dead form in the library at Lawrence
Park.
The chief of the detective police force
stood near, viewing the scene with com
prehensive gaze, noting every little de-
tail which, slight and of no apparent
value, might yet bold the very key to
"A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR."" Chief Ludlowe
exclaimed, OF length. "a dark mys-
terry, indeedl Ali" Gurning swiftly
ais that you, Wynne? Right glad to
see you"
Aud he shook the young mans hand.
Sorry that you have left the force,
Mr.. Wynne," he went on slowly. 81
had always great confidence in your
abilities, you remember. I really re-
GREETED your accession to fortune, since
Il made you resign, and-what! you
wish to be engaged in this case? Why,
I thought that since you came into
your uncle's fortune you would be
above the old calling, and forget old
associations. I'm heartily glad that I
am mistaken, and welcome you back
to the force once more. Here is q
badge; put it on, for you may need it.
All, that is right"
Arthur Wayne pinned the silver
badge upon his breast, and covered it
from view with the lapel of his coat
sand now let us see," Chief Ludlowe
went on, in o confidential tone. "This
is the case precisely: A murder-mys.
terious to the last degree-has been
committed in our midst. A wealthy
and infiue ntial citizen has been stricken
down in cold blood in his library at the
dead of night, or rather the early
morning" the Chief added, with a
swift glance at the clock, pointing
grimly to half-past two.
@AYet no outcry was made-no noise
heard. The murderer even waited
after his bloody work was done to
withdraw the weapon from the fatal
wound. There must have been ter
rible struggle" he went on, compre.
hensively, for the clock was thrown
from the mantel, a chair overturned,
and the furniture in general disordered.
- "Yet, the very fact of the clock hav-
ing stopped at the hour when that
struggle for life took place, may prove
formidable clew to the deed. WynneI
why are you smiling? Have you madd
any discovery that has escaped me2"
Arthur Wynne bit his, lip.
IF they will permit us to remain in
this room for q few moments alone" nd
whispered, II Will show you something
The room was cleared. and the doo1
closed; then Arthur lifted the clock
from the floor and placed it upon the
maptel.
"Half-past two!" he said, slowly.
~Now, Mr.. Ludlowe, I am going to try
an experiment.
he opened the crystal door which
covered the face of the clock, and with
swift, deft touch moved the minute
hand half an hour ahead, to the strik-
ing point. .,- ... -.. -. ,
One, two, three, four, FIVE, six, seven,
eight, nine. ten, eleven, twelve! pesled
out upon the awful silence of the room.
Z Chief Ludlowe started as though he
had been struck.
"Great heavens! Wynne, what does
this mean?" he painted.
1T means that it was not half past
two when the deed was committed"
Arthur Wynne said gravely.
II have read of such case as this,
and 80 determined to make the test;
Mr.. Lawrence came to his death before
the hour of midnight, at least the evi-
dent struggle took place before then,
and the clock was set ahead to mislead,
/ suppose. After you have carefully
examined this room, you Will find that
nothing has been stolen or disturbed.
NJ, Lawrence wore diamond stud
and valuable diamond ring; they have
not been removed.
an his pocket I find purse con-
taining two hundred dollars. The iron
safe yonder, in which he doubtless
stored valuables and papers, has not
been opened. In short, there is no in
dication of robbery"
"The deed must have been done for
some ulterior object, perhaps revenge!"
observed Ludlowe; abut Wynne, in the
name of Heaven, what is this peculiar
odor? Very faint, but palpable. It
smells like bitter almonds. It IS"
@Prussic acid, somewhere!" inter.
rupted the young man excitedly. 1T
is, oh my God! Mr.. Ludlowe-Provi-
dence has thrown in my way strange
revelation! I have found out some.
thing at this very moment, which may
yet-listenl" .s...-.
He came to halt at the sound OF
carriage wheels tearing up the avenue
without; the same carriage which Mrs.
ChilIingworth had heard and maryeled
over.
Before the two detectives could utter
another word there was the sound of
hasty footsteps in the hall; the library
door was thrown open as if by magic,
and woman in deep black rushed over
the threshold into the room, utter1ng
maddened shrek of horror. .
Following in her wake was police
officer us F0n hs TOP Gt the GRg
scene, and hastened back to Ruby's
side.
She was trying to steady her nerves,
trying to overcome the vague horror
which had fallen" upon her since the
discovery of those blood-stained gar
ments in Ruby's room. -
"Ruby! There is more mystery here"
she cried, excitedly. "If you are able,
you had better 60 below stairs"
Pale, and trembling violently, Ruby
Lawrence made her way down the
stairs to the library. AS she entered
the room the strange woman fell upon
her knees beside the body, with an ex-