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

"NnN, you nave tne mOtlVe lor tne
murder"
But how do you bring Messing in?'
81 don't bring him in; he is there only
from the fact that he inquiries for Pier
sons papers"
"And that he was present at the muir
der; don't forget that in your theoriz-
ing"
II don't; it is nothing, mere coinci-
dencc, but one Of those curious joining
Of lines and crossing of paths, which if
not carefully avoided confuse the judg
ment and mislead you-which makes
truth always so much stranger than fic-
ton"
"Wessing would have the same mo-
tive for getting Templeton out of the
way:'
"But be didn't do the deed; and be-
sides, Messing is not a man who would
pursue any point to death and who could
do deliberate murder; a glance is suhi-
cient TO determine that-he is weak. On
the contrary, Fountain would. We have
both agreed to that"
But" said Tom, sis not your theory
fanciful? There is a great deal to sup
pose. ! admit that, SO far as Fountain
is concerned, it is plausible
"Only plausible above the rest because
you have certain ascertained facts or
statements of himself and Flora to rea-
son upon. Fountain is proposing to seek
o fortune: Persons fortune lies waiting
to be sought; Fountain inquiries here
about Persons papers, and admits to
Flora that he called upon me in refer
ence to that enterprise. Flora is horror
stricken at the idea of his coming to me,
who saw the murderer at distance, and
who pretended to see more than | did
These are the connecting links which
make the reasoning seem plausible as to
Fountain. You seem to stumble over
the idea that there must have been some
knowledge of Messing by Fountain, and
of Fountain by Wessing.'
81 confess it,"
at is not necessary to the truth of my
theory that they should not have knowl-
edge or that they should, See here:
Suppose Fountain did know of Messing,
which l wholly doubt, and that he was
an illegitimate son also, it would make
no difference in his enterprise of killing
Templeton. 1t would be the legitimate
heir he would have to be rid of before
he or any other illegitimate heir could
pretend to have a claim on the unclaimed
fortune"
"There is a true reasoning in that.
But you have no basis for supposing
there was any abandonment of Temple
toms mother"
Holbrook had been pacing up and
down as he was thus reasoning. Upon
Toms remark he turned quickly around
and bringing his hands together with a
resounding whack he exclaimed:
eyes, by Heaven, have! Mrs. Tenn
pleton told me that her father had left
her on her mothers death to the care of
an aunt, and went to Philadelphia; that
subsequently a rumOr of his marriage
had reached them, but was never veri-
fed. That was after they had heard OF
his death abroad"
The facts in this case come out slow
ly." said Tom. "The line of inquiry to
follow is the Pierson line. Why not
push your inquiries with Mrs. Temple,
ton? See if it is not possible to connect
the Templetons with Person"
IN do it, and at once. You'll &C
with me too, won't you!'
Eyes, Ill so with you, and would be
glad to-"
But haven't we already ground
enough to begin a judicial inquiry"
''No; wait until have established the
Identification of Fountain with the man
who purchased the clothes. "I'll &c
about it now and then meet you"
"But l say, Tom, If Fountain don't
own the gold button, who does?'
"Tll be hanged if can tell-that is
one of the puzzles in this most puzzling
of all cases"
Tom hurried off to his friend, the
| leader writer, who had undertaken tc
obtain a surreptitious portrait Of Foun
tain.
"Well, how did you make out:" asked
Tom.
First rate. got two views Of him
profile and full face" He took then
from his desk.
Tom inspected them closely. "Capi
tai" he said, perfect pictures"
"What are you going to do with
them" asked the leader writer.
pardon me-" said Tom, II am in
desperate hurry, and if do not wait t.
explain and thank you for them you vii
excuse me, know"
Then he went to the clothing store anC
found the clerk
"What kind of time did you have OF
your clambake?"
Bang up" said Tom. "See here, you
recollcct my asking you if you coulC
identify the man who bought that suit
the man outside of u. S. r. 81"
YES"
"Well, here's the man 1 suspect d.
you recognize himy'
The clerk took the photographs anc
examined them carefully.
Tom waited in an agony of impa
thence, his heart beating with sucl
throbs that he thought the clerk mus
surely hear it.
Finally the clerk said.
Il am certain-pOsitive, that is tn