The Press., 1890-04-24

Cornwall. He has never been seen since, but we believe that he must have gone at once to America.
 I accompanied MT. Withers to our London office. We went through the outer rooms filled with busy clerks who looked at me in- quiringly 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 us!
 I felt an almost ungovernable impulse to spring upon him like 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. It seems that the company had determined on making some heavy in- vestments in Cornwall, and John had been deputed to go there with some e8O, 1000 to make the payments. He was to have taken the o'clock train out of London on the afternoon of March 13. He left the office at about o'clock, and none of the firm had seen him since. Their suspicious had first been aroused by the receipt of letters from their Cornwall correspondents inquiring 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 mem bers of the firm knew of the circumstances The natural conclusion had been that he had taken the money and gone to America.
 "Who is that man who opened the door as, we came ins'' inquired. MT. Withers looked at me in surprise, but he said, ''Thats our head bookkeeper. He came to us highly rec commended just after you had left for India. His name is Cameron
 thought moment then said: twill you give me MT. Cameron's address and engage to keep him busy at the office to-nights"
 ''Yes, certainly
 "And will you call special meeting of all the members of the firm for tomorrow morn ing at 10?"
 "Yes, certainly" Mir. Withers gave his assent in mechanical sort of way. He looked at me as though he doubted whether I was in full possession of my senses; but said no more.
 With MT. Cameron's address noted in my pocketbook, went at once to a detective, an old friend of mine. My plan was to search Cameron's room thoroughly for the wallet of bank bills which he had stolen from my brother If I 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, I should doubt the truth of the revelation I had re- ceived in India
 easily found my friend and proceeded at once to Cameron's lodgings. told the land lady I was one of the firm and would wait till MT. 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. We at once set to work, but after close search of at least an hour we could find noth- ing. I looked at my watch. The time was | growing short for Cameron was likely soon l to return. In a fit of impatience gave the | trunk, which had just been ransacking, a | vicious kick. It seemed to me that it gave | forth a rather peculiar sound, and I at once | stopped down and measured from the top of | the trunk to the floor. It was twenty-three l inches. now measured inside from the top | to the bottom of the trunk. Twenty-two | inches Allowing something for the bottom of the trunk, here was about three-quarters | of an inch unaccounted for. With feverish haste turned it upside down and pried up the bottom, and there where it had been con- cealed by false bottom was the missing | walletl
 At 10 o'clock the next morning all the
 members of the firm were assembled. In a
 few brief words told them my story. Mir. | Withers stepped to the door and said, "Please
 walk in here for moment Mir Cameron. | As Cameron entered Withers locked the door
 and said sternly, "Where were you on the
 night of March 13, Mir. Cameron!" He
 turned deathly pale and trembled like leaf
 With that grasped him firmly by the shoul-
 der and said, And how came this wallet ir | your possession?" | With terrible shriek he dropped to his
 knees, crying, "Mercyl Mercy I did moi
 mean to kill himl I did not mean to kill
 him! Only let me go and will tell you all.
 Miserable man," exclaimed Withers, 'we
 cannot deal with you. Your crime is one
 against the law of God and man." Cameron