Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-26
his pocket the seal ring.
"DO YOU recounize this?"

TlnS III MS manu- ana examiner IL CLOSELY
81 gave that ring to your father" he
said. "the day before he was married
He gave n half dozen of his young
friends dinner that day. and we each
made HIM little present This was
mine
He handed it back Tho ex-detective
was an interested observer
Dorison now asked Mr. Nettleman
whether he had any letters or documents
in his fathers handwriting
81 ought to have plenty of his letters.
Let me see did all his insurance for
years gave up that business in eight
cen hundred and sxty-one Let me look
at my eighteen hundred and sixty box
You are younger than | am, take that
stepladder and hand me from that upper
shelf the box with 1860 on it"
Dorison did as he was requested and
brought the box to the old man, who
opening It, ran over its contents and
finally picked ont letter or two.
Dorison handed him the two frag-
ments Of paper. saying:
PLEASE compare the handwriting on
those two fragments Of paper with my
fathers letters and tell me what you
think
The ola gentleman, much excited, did
SO and cXclaimed:
at is the samel There can be no
doubt about it. There is no doubt
about it,
Dorison, reaching out his hand, recov-
cred the two fragments of paper, and
turning to Mr.. Cathcart said:
Last night, as Yea know, reached
the room where the murder was COM
united first and alone, On small
round table near the sliding doors |
found this portrait and the ring. In the
hand of the murdered girl was this
smaller slip Of paper, which took from
1t. On the floor this larger slip. You
can imagine my amazement on finding
my fathers portrait and the ring had
so often as a boy seen on my fathers
finger Hardly knowing what | was do
ing, placed all in my pocket wheN l
knew the police were about to enter
This is what was really concealing"
Mr.. Nettleman looked with astonish-
ment on the young man, almost helpless
in surprise.
"A rather serious thing to do" said
the exdetective, "but l think l would
have done the same thing had been in
your place"
II have no regrets now" replied Dori.
son But am puzzled to know how
they got there, and what connection
there could have been between that girl
and my father"
The ex-detective got up, and placing
his hand in his vest pockets, walked up
and down the room in a deep study, the
others watching him as he walked.
After time he said to Dorison:
you want to find out the mystery Of
that unfinished letter, and to prove that
the charges under which you have rested
for eight years are unfoundedY
81 do, most earnestly"
81 earnestly want to find out who COM
mitted chat murder. am impressed
with the idea that In the discovery Of
the ono will be found the revelation of
the other. Well, then, let us join our
forces and work-give ourselves up to it
and DO nothing else"
"There is an obstacle so far as am
4 concerned" sand Dorison.
WHAT
81 am without funds | work for my
living, and must return to Dubuque to
my position
There is none" cried Nettleman. II
have plenty, and"-
The young man interrupted the i'm
petuous proffer with an indignant ges-
ture, saying:
81 am not an object of charity"
will you take employment from me?'
asked Cathcart calmly. Perceiving the
young man to hesitate, he added: ''The
pay will be one hundred and seventy five
dollars a month and e1penses-employ-
nent to continue until the murder of
last night Is ferreted out"
The young mans blood flushed into
his face and he inclined glance full of
wonder upon the one making to him so
singular a proposition.
~ mean It," added Cathcart ~ had
determined to enter upon the case Of the
murder before came here, and foresee
snail need just such a man as you are.
1t will be hard work, and you will find
me hard taskuastsr. offer you small
wages because there is the additional in
centive in the possibility OF the discovery
of the secret that worries you. Come, is
it n bargain"
"Where is your profit asked Dorison.
THAT is my affair" sharply replied
Cathcart, and seeing borisop's face
darken, he added, There is plenty of
profit for me, bat am not going to tell
how or how much"
Il will accept tho employment" said
Dorison
Il do not see why am pushed aside"
said Nettleman reproachfully. "Do you
think | have no interest in this matter?
l am comparatively rich, young man,
and what am owe to the aid your ia
Their gave me over many years. That
mystery which has clouded his name has
been sorrow to me these many years,
and I've wanted to clear it up without
seeing my way clear to beginning until
now. | can do but little more than con
tribute to the expenses of this search"
1--WE will arrange that matter between