Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-08-28
THE
THE
LITTLE " All.
A Story Of Absorbing Interest.
BY BERNARD HERsERr.
CHAPTER VI.
DETECTIVE BANCKER.


sald Boyden, with evident satisfaction,
rs he resumed his seat; and, pointing
70 chair on the opposite side of the
liable, he continued, please be seated.
Mr.. Bancker accepted the proffered
chair, placing his hat beneath it. and
shen proceeded to attach his keen vision
lpon the face before him.
Mr.. Bancker," began Boyden, twist.
ing round and round the third finger OF
his left hand an elegant snake ring,
embellished with diamonds, as he
spoke, for the first time in my life
lind myself obliged to employ a person
Of your profession
AS Mr.. Bancker did not utter q word,
scarcely winked an eyelid, Boyden was
obliged to proceed.
Are you prepared to undertake the
responsibilities of a murder case?" in,
luired he.
quite prepared, sir, was the laconie
reply.
"Then l will give you the circum,
stances of the case in nutshell. NY
ancle, Mr.. Orrin Clifford, of Boston,
went abroad eighteen months ago in
search of health. He took with him
his trusted body-servant, one Nicholas
Garland, and Garlands daughter,
pert, forward mink, anywhere from fit.
teen to eighteen years of age"
What office did the girl fill, sir %
inquired the detective.
Merely baggage; but her father was
afraid to leave her at home for fear she
might get into trouble, so my uncle,
Mr.. Clifford, very kindly consented ia
take her along
Thank you, sir"
Mr.. Bancker had produced note
book, and was rapidly taking notes in
shorthand, the first of which was peril
nent and ran as follows:
Clifford murder. Nephew's.. pro.
nounced dislike for the body-servant's
daughter"
Finding that his health was rapidly
falling" continued Boyden, "and not
daring to attempt the voyage home, my
uncle hired a place in Devonshire.
England, near Torquay, and went down
to reside Three weeks ago tomorrow
night, Mr.. Clford's nurse was drug.
ged, and he strangled to death in his
bed"
"By whom, sir"
by Grace Garland, the body-ser.
wants daughter"
For what motive, sir?"
Robbery"
Indeed? Were you present?
Present! / was miles away, up in
London
Thank you. Please proceed"
In his notebook Mr.. Bancker set
down:
Nephew much disturbed when
asked whether he was present on the
eight of the murder"
"The circumstantial evidence against
Grace Garland, all of which need not
enter into, as it does not concern your
part OF the work, was so overwhelming
that it left no doubt in the minds of
the witnesses that the girl was the
criminal. In fact, when accused, she
feigned swoon and escaped during
the night"
Where did she go?'
"Ten days later it was discovered
that she had gone to Liverpool and had
sailed by the Inflated Oregon. the
steamer which followed mine to this
port
What was your haste to leave En-
gland?"
"As my uncle died intestate. l be-
came his heir, and was obliged to re-
turn at once to settle his estate"
Nephew in hot haste to settle M
the estate jotted down Mr.. Bancker. !
1T was her father who cabled me
the girls sailing" observed
Boyden, land my object in engaging
you is to ascertain her whereabouts
'ince her arrival.
(which could only have occurred to-
lay, sir"
Yes; l am informed that the Fulda |
'rought up the passengers by the Ore
ION this afternoon.
Very sorry you did not notify me
arlier.p
why SOP.
Il might have been at the pier and
abbed the young women then and
here"
"Oh-er- very true replied
ogden, stammering for the first time
his hitherto straight story; "the
ouble was / was out of town erin
'ston, and only returned to-day to
d the cablegram awaiting me"
But our agency received orders to
! upon you yesterday" /;
Yes; sent the order from Boston"
Before you received the cablegram. /.
4 inquired Mr. Bancker, slightly !
vating his eyebrows, but otherwise :
raying no surprise. z
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