The farmers' union., 1891-04-09

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| coat, we set out and, after brisk walk
of ten minutes, reached the handsome
residence of my companion. | was at
once shown to the room of the murdered
man, and then began making such an
examination as only detective knows
| how to make. Circumstances of the
most trivial character. which would Ee
overlooked by an ignorant person, are
often siezed upon by skiilful detective,
and sometimes constitute the most dam
aging evidence of guilt. In this case,
however, everything had been done in
the most skillful manner, and l could
not succeed in making any discovery.
| / was about to leave the room in de-
spair when, glancing toward the bed, [
noticed what appeared to be a slight
scratch upon the neck Of the murdered
man just above the gaping wound which
had SO cruelty let out his life's blood.
On examination found it to be nothing
more than u hair, which had in some
manner probably become loosened from
the head of the assailant and had set
tied on the neck Of the victim, where it
now lay. silent yet truthful witness,
pointing out the guilty wretch to the
eye of justice. The hair was of deep
red color, which was totally unlike that
of any Of the household. 1t was, in
deed, the same color and shade as that
of Conrad Smithers.
Iplacedit carefully in my pocket
book. and, saying nothing to any one of
my discovery, started for the residence
of Smithers, intent on doing little
acting. / found him, as hfs attendant
said, i'll in bed, and on no account must
he be disturbed.
This sickness is but stratagem," l
thought, to divert suspicion"
Telling the woman l wanted to see
him but for moment on the most urgent
business, she finally reluctantly con-
sented to my entrance. l found him
lying upon bed, apparently in great
pain. In my youth l had studied medi-
cine, and was consequently we'll in-
formed in such matters. and | saw at
once, with a quick glance, that he was
only feigning sickness. He started up
somewhat angrily as [ entered, but
silenced him with a motion of my
hand.
Conrad Smithers, this is d des-
perate game You are playing, but it will
avail you nothing"
What do vou mean:" he exclaimed.
springing to his feet, his illness all
gone.
Il mean that the game is mp, and the
murderer of John Randolph is discov-
ered''
Thrown completely Off his guard, as
had anticipated, he sank into chair,
and burying his face in his hands,
sobbed out, Lost! lost!'
"Do you confess the murder, then ~
Il do" he answered, now that con.
cealment is no longer of use"
: took him at once into custody, and
soon had the satisfaction of seeing him
change places with Edgar Morton.
; Conrad Smithers was tried for the
= murder; and, knowing that any defense
would be useless after his confession te
f me. he pleaded guilty and threw him
4 self upon the mercy of the court, which
o sentenced him to imprisonment for life
l 1t needs scarcely be explained thai
= the villain Smithers had found an op
: portunity of visiting Edgar Morton:
t room in his absence aud possessed him
r self Of the razor and the articles o
n clothing. After the commission of the
h murder he had returned to the apart
L ments and deposited the bloodstainet
L evidences of his crime, thus incriminat
g ing Edgar.
About year after received an invi
It tation to the wedding of Cecil Randolph
g and Edgar Morton, who live most hap
il PLY together. and never cease thanking
l.! me that Edgar was saved by hair.