Nevada County picayune., 1891-07-30

been committed to gratify fiendish thirst for revenge.
 Now, then, who of all your ac- quaintances could do such thing"
 I cannot possibly say. My fath CT had not an enemy in the world, to my knowledge, or Edgar, either unless, perhaps, it might be Conrad Smithers, my fathers book keeper and head clerk. But it would be impossible for him to do such a deed.
 What reason have you for sus- pecting that he is not Edgar's friend? 7"
 "Only this: Some time ago Con- rad, whom we have always regarded as one of the family, proposed for my hand, and told him it was not mine to give. I suspected as much, he muttered. And then, while his face grew dark as night and his features assumed an appearance perfectly fearful, he continued. But you shall never become the wife of Edgar Morton while l life to pre- vent it.. He then turned and ab- ruptly left my presence. was much alarmed and thought of speak ing to my father about it, but during the afternoon he returned and begged my forgiveness for the words he had used, and made such profes- sions of sorrow in regard to them that l freely forgavc him, and have since thought no more of the mat ter. 7"
 The fact is quite clear to me- l said. Il know this fellow well and the sort of company he keeps, and l shall not he surprised to find that he committed the murder. Now, then, want to see the body of your faith CT and the room i'll which the deed was done.
 Well, MT. Ferguson," she said, rising and preparing to accompany me, you will find everything as it was when first discovered. The of iiccr decided not to disturb anything until after the inquest, which takes place tomorrow afternoon.
 Wrapping myself up in my great coat we set out, and after a brisk walk of ten minutes reached the handsome residence of my compan- ion. was at once shown to the room of the murdered man, and then began making such an examination as only q detective knows how to make. Circumstances of the most trivial character, which would he overlooked by an ignorant person, are often seized upon by skillful detective, and sometimes constitute the most damaging evidence of guilt In this case, however, every thing had been done in the most skilful manner, and l could not sue cecd in making any discovery.
 was about to leave the room in despair when, glancing toward the bed, noticed what appeared to be slight scratch on the neck of the murdered man just above the gaping wound which had so cruelty let out his lite's blood. On examination l found 1t to he nothing more than a hair, which had in some manner probably become looscned from the head of the assassin and had settled on the neck of the victim, where 1t now lay, a silent yet truthful witness pointing out the guilty wretch to the eye of justice. The halr was of deep red color, which was totally un- like that of any of the household. It was, indeed, the same color and shade as that of Conrad Smithers. l placed it carefully in my pocket book, and saying nothing to any one of my discovery, started for the resi- dcnce of Smithcrs intent on doing a little acting. l found him, as his at tendant said, ill in bed and on no ac- count must he be disturbed.
 "rhis sickness is but strate- gem, thought, "to divert sus- picion. '
 Telling the woman that l wanted to see him but for a moment on the most urgent business, she finally re- luctantly consented to my entrance. l found him lying upon bed, ap- parcntly in great pain. In my youth l had studied medicine and was consequently well informed in surh matters. and saw at once with a