Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

VA 1sT-H Cclved them. lie
N,NS@ - had taken posses
W." sion Of the prop
fsrrFs(=zI erty and papers
IN II in her name, and
with her permits
sion had examined all tho personal eff
fects of the deceased. lie had found let
tors in plenty, both at the Office of Tenn
pleton and his boarding place, but none
that threw any light upon the motive of
the deed or which even demanded in
quiry.
The books and business papers were in
excellent and methodical shape. He
was certain after closing everything up
and paying all outstanding obligations
he could turn over something above
thirty thousand dollars to be added to
the fortune of Mrs. Temploton. The
greater part of this money was already
in government bonds deposited in u
safety vault.
The ladies were comfortably situated
in Lexington avenue, and he saw them
nearly nightly.
He had been over to see old George
Dolwcll on Long Island, and had con-
versed with him as to Wessing's visit.
Little had come of that visit. Messing
had not been by any means communica-
tive, had adroitly avoided direct answers
to direct questions, and had tried to draw
upon Dolwcll for recollection of the pa
pers Of Picrson when in the office.
AS these principally related to litiga-
ton over the collecting Of business debts,
and the settling of partnership enterprises
and speculations. wholly commercial and
financial affairs. Dolwells recollection
had interested him little.
He had asked how much Pierson had
left, and Dolwell thought over two mil
lions. His only significant question was
this:
Had Mr.. Dolwen reason to suppose
that Pierson had ever borne any other
name?'
''Ah" cried Tom, that is getting
warm. What was Dolwell's replv:'
''No, upon the contrary he had every
reason to believe he had not; he had first
known of Mr.. Pierson twenty-five years
ago, and he then bore that name, and
was known as a reputable merchant"
"This thing is very perpleXing,' re-
marked Tom thoughtfully. Il cannot
make out the connection. Messing is
here making inquiries with regard tC
Persons papers; Fountain makes the
came inquiry, and yet so far as we are
enabled to ascertain there is no relation
between the two
Holbrook was pacing up and down his
narrow room in profound thought. Fl
nally he said:
"Tom, the case stands like this. Now
follow me closely: Templeton is murdered
in the open streets and there is no APP
parent motive for the deed. Circum-
stances, wholly arising from Flora Ash
groves manner and words. point the way
to suspicious of Fountain"
Good, l follow you"
CAS- soon as we set inquiry on foot We
run against the dead Pierson. Messing
inquiries for his papers SO does Fountain
"Yes, and so does Parker
ooh, that is nothing; he is an attorney
probably acting for one or other of them
Don't interrupt me, you destroy the con
tinuity of my thought. To get back-sC
does Fountain. Now, in the talk be
tween Flora and Fountain, overheard by
you, there are three points made-frst
Fountain is an illegitimate son; second
he Is proposing to engage upon an enter
prise in the following of which is in
volved the exposure of his illegitimacy
third, Providence has removed Temple
ton from his path"
"Oh, no, begin to see your drift"
''Now to weave these facts. Let u
make some suggestions. Suppose Pier
son was one Of those men who, having
fair and reputable business exterior
lived double or even triple private life
This is not wild upposition-there ar
plenty Of such instances; the records o
the courts are full of them. Now to pro
coed: Note that Messing is making in
quiries because-now mark-because hi
mother--his mother, mark you, think
that Pierson is a relative, and if he
then she is an heir"
Good. | follow; follow"
"Now, suppose Messing should be
son Of Persons under another name
that would account for his inquiries al
ter Persons property in so guarded
manner, wouldn't it,
yes"
"And suppose, since Fountain &C
l1nowledges that he is an illegitimat
son, he was another son of Persons b
another mother, that would account fo
his inquiries"
YES, but I don't follow you closel
now"
"And suppose that Pierson was an a,
sumed name in middle life to escape tn
consequences of devious way of living
and that, having had two illegiHmat
sons, he had third, a legitimate sol
whose mother he had abandoned, an
that son was mpleton-T empletol
whom Providence had removed fror
Fountain's path-7that is to say. PROV