Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-01-31

America
accompanied Mr.. Witbers TO our London
office. We went through the outer rooms
filed with busy clerks, who looked at me in
quiringiy as we passed, and George Withers
was just about TO open the private Office
when the knob was turned from within, and
the man whom had seen meet my brother
at Callington, stood before usI
felt an almost ungovernable impulse TO
spring upon him like a tiger, but controlling
myself by strong effort, / stood aside while
he passed us, and then followed George
Withers into the private Office. He then
gave me the particulars regarding my
brother John. Il seems that the company
had determined on making some heavy i'm
vestments in Cornwall, and John had been
deputed to go there with some e80,000 to
make the payments. He was to have taken
the 8 o'clock train out Of London on tho
afternoon of March IS. He left the Office at
about o'clock, and none of this firm had
seen him since. Their suspicious had drst
been aroused by the receipt of letters from
their Cornwall correspondents inqriring why
John Hawxhurst had not met them as per
agreement. They had Immediately insti-
tuted inquiries but the closest search had
failed TO find the missing man. Robbery
was not suspected, as no one but the nem-
bers Of the firm knew OF tho circumstances.
The natural conclusion had been that be had
taken the money and gone to America.
'Nho Is that man who opened the door AS
we came inf inquired. Mr. Withers looked
at me in surprise, but he said, "That'S our
head bookkeeper He came to us highly rec
commended just after you had left for India
His name is Cameron.
thought a moment then said: 'sWili you
give me Mr.. Cameron's address and engage
to keep him busy at the Office to-nightT
eyes, certainly"
"And viii you call special meeting OF all
the members of the firm for tomorrow morn
ing at 10l"
'sYes, certainly Mr.. Withers gave his
assent in a mechanical sort Of way. He
looked at me as though he doubted whether
/ was in full possession Of my senses; but
said no more.
With Mr. Cameron's address noted in my
pocketbook, went at once to a detective, an
old friend of mine Ny plan was to search
Cameron's room thoroughly for the wallet of
bank bills which he had stolen from my
brother. If / could not find that deter
mined to charge him with the murder in
presence Of all the firm. After that should
be guided by circumstances If his actions
were those Of an innocent man, should
doubt the truth of the revelation 1 had re-
ceived in India
easily found my friend and proceeded at
once to Cameron's lodgings I told the land
lady was one OF the firm and would wait
till Mr.. Cameron came home. She showed
us at once TO his room, which my friend had
no trouble whatever in opening with one Of
his numerous keys.
10 a.. y
search Of at least an hour we could find moth
ing. looked at my watch. The time was
growing short, fer Cameron ssas likely soon
TO return. In fit of impatisnoe gave the
trunk, which had just been rausacking, a
vicious kick. Il seemed to me that it gave
forth rather peculiar sound, and at once
stopped down and measured from the top Of
the trunk 10 the floor. ii was tsTeuty-three
inches now measured inside from the top
to the bottom Of the trunk. Twenty-Five
inches Allowing something for the bottom
Of the trunk, here was about three-Quarters
Of an inch unaccounted>for. With fsverish
haste | turned it upside down and pried up
the bottom, and there where it had been con
cealed by a false bottom was the missing
Wallet
AT 10 o'clock the next morning all the
members Of the firm were assembled In a
few brief words told them my story. Mr.
Withers stepped TO the door and said. 'sPlease
walk in here for moment Mr.. Cameron
As Cameron entered lVithers locked the door
and said sternly, Where were you on the
night of March Is, M. Cameron He
turned deathly pale and trembled like a leaf
With that grasped him firmly by the shout
der and said, "And how came this wallet in
your possessionl"
With terrible shrek he dropped to his
knees, crying, 'Mercyi Mercy l did not
mean to kill himi I did not mean TO kill
him. Only let me go and will tell you all y
Miserable man. exclaimed Withers, 1--WE
cannot deal with you. Your crime is one
against the law Of God and man" Cameron
was at once given into custody and made a
full confession TO the officers of the law. He
expiated his crime on the gallows
IL seems that he had overheard the inten-
ton Of my brother TO go to Cornwall, and
had taken the same train. He had alighted
at Callington while the train was still IN mo.
ton and pretended to my brother that he
had searched through the train without being
able TO find him. He then declared that Mr.
Witliers had given him instructions b 20
with my brother and examine some mines in
that neighborhood before seeing the parties
with whom he was to deal Mr.. Withers, he
said, had just received some private iAforma-
ton about the property. Being familiar
with the country, Cameron had then led the
way and murdered and robbed my brother
exactly as hadseen him do it in the Hindoo's
mirror.
These events had happened on a Saturday
The office closed at 4 Saturday afternoons,
and Cameron's absence had not been noticed,
as he appeared in the Office as usual on Mon
day morning.
My brothers name was cleared from dis
grace, the stolen money restored and justice
meted out TO the criminal, but the mystery
Of the Hindoo mirror has never been OK
planned.