Telegram-herald., 1889-11-25


the trips'
Never, frosn the tixe be joined us On
the fourtosltA
Tom stood ike one rooted 70 the spot.
Ia tic nesntlms the others looked
upon ham amazed Finally Tom SD.
Il do not think ! vent % see ths DIS
trict attorney after all
He turned On has hetl without . word
and walkea out. leaving them wondss-
ing Al has strange manner aud Questions
Hes been drinking he heard one
say.
lone would suppose he thought Foun-
tan had committed that murder, from
another.
be paid no heed, bat passed on and
descended the stairs Like one who had
met with d distressfai blow Of nisfaT-
tune
He walked along the street dared. un-
heedful of Ell about him Without
knowing JusE ho~ ne had gotten there
he found himself IN Broadway, opposite
the postoffioe-
HIS emotions were difficult t. AnslyEe.
Heartfelt gratitude and thsnkfulness
that the story had been told him before
be had gone ia u the district attorney
possessed him. but dominating every
other sentiment was ms feeling Of keen
and bitter disappointment His quest
had ended in failure, his triumph had
turned 20 ashes.
He made his way Lurriedly T. Hol-
Il D
client. and Tom paced the outer Office in
fever OF disappointment. thankfulness,
humiliation and even anger. How could
he have been such al idiot a. 10 have
supposed Fountain could have been
guilty Of such crime; he asked himself.
and then IN the most illogical way he
found himself growing angry with Foun-
tain for going of on that yachting trip,
and thus making IL impossible for him
TO have committed the deed.
Unable 70 contain himself longer. he
sent his card, on which was scribbled
Important. All the fats in the fire, 90
Holbrook.
Holbrook came ont Immediately.
He looked wonderingly at Tom, who
bore the visible traces Of his crushing de-
feat.
What's the matter, manY asked Hol-
brook.
Harry Fountain didn't commit the
murder"
Holbrook could not have suppressed
his surprise II he had desired, nor his
evident relief at the information.
That increased Toms bitterness.
Why asked Holbrook. do they
know who did it?'
"No."
"How do you know, then, that he
didn'ty'
"He was not within hundred miles
Of Union square when the deed was
done"
Holbrook told him 10 wait moment
and he would dismiss bis client at once.
This he did speedily, and calling Tom in
made him tell all that had occurred.
There was silence at the conclusion
After moment Tom said;
eve are just where we were ten days
ago. We've been on a false scent"
NO" said Holbrook, mot quite
There is the motive we reasoned out this
morning. We must now follow up the
Pierson inquiry
Until we get near the finish, when I
suppose you'll baulk again" replied Tom
bitterly.
Holbrook laughed.
"Be reasonable, Tom. You know I.
was hard thing 70 bring Flora Ash
grove into the matter, and ! am sincerely
glad she is out Of IT,.
Unless, said Tom, Fountain hired
some one to do il.
"Oh, dismiss that idea" replied Hol-
brook. "Our suspicious Of Fountain
were caused wholly from our belief that
Flora thought Fountain had himself
done the deed. If her manner and words
did not mean this. they meant nothing.
No, the handsome Flora herself has
been on wrong scent.
But she didn't think 90 without there
was a reason for il"
You're right there, Tom. Now what
was that reasony'
ITO find that out would put us on the
right track again. BY Jovs, Holbrook,
I've an idea"
Let Us have it, then"
"See. The Ashgrove girl thinks Foun-
tain did the murder. She hasn't told him
Of her belief, nor wont-you remembeE
the conversation. Now, she still labors
under that belief. You can go 10 her
and earn her undying gratitude by dis
abusing her mind Of that error"
"Nqi What fho0rf
'In her joy at finding that the object
Of her love is not guilty man, she viii
tell YOU herreason FOR supposing be was. p"
You have an idea, Tom"
Eyes. and besides, she'll tell you who
was the owner of the diamond button"
Surely. But she IS still in Newport
NO" said Tom, Il saw in this morn
ing's papers that the Witherspoons have
returned 10 thecitv."
Then III 20 to her this very day
do. And while you are on that lire
III seek ont Fountain. tell him my
former suspicious. and AK his assistance
in our effort.
He won't talk - YOU
"Well. can try al the same
Having agreed 70 this plan. and sp-
pointed 2 place Il meeting. they parted.