The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-11
CHAPTER v.
coRNELIS CoNFESSES.

I saw the waiter cross the central hall
of the hotel and make for the Offices al
the back followed him along pass.
age leading to a two-storied detached
building at the back of the hotel, which
proved to be the male servants quar-
tiers. Cornelis went upstairs, paused
before a door. unlocked it with kew
which he took from his pocket, and
went in.
His bedroom, no doubt. Without
hesitation and without apology I went in,
too, closing the door behind me. He
looked at me with open-mouthed aston
ishment, unable, as it seemed. to ques'
ton my intrusion.
Il must have few words with you, I
began at once. II want you to answer
few questions, and be careful what you
say"
Who are you? What do you want here?
This is my private room." he stammered
out, trembling with either INDIGNATION or
fear.
4You lied to-day" said sternly. max
ing the statement at hazard, but with all
the positiyeness of settled conviction.
When? How2 This is not fair. Go
away. What do you mean?"'
Il mean that YOU did not tell the in
quest all you knew. You saw the poor
pan-"
What poor man? You very strange
gentleman. sir"
"coooh-you know who mean--the
murdered man."
Co1nelis shuddered at this reference
to the crime.
You saw him, I say, speak to some
one; something passed between him and
one Of the other visitors? Is it not so?
Come, tell meat once"
Cornelis hung his head, still doggedly,
obstinately silent.
Suppose tell you-you promise not
to bring me in, not to mention my
name?"
Il promise conditionally. If the police
insist on knowing, or if the law requires
it, shall have to give up the source OF
my information"
He shook his head, apparently dissatis-
fed.
But I cannot waste time in treating
with you. Tell me at once, or take the
consequences. will 60 straight to the
manager"
And moved toward the door.
Wait, sir, wait. I did see the stranger
talking fast, very fast; quarreling, I
think, with one of the gentlemen here"
With whomp Where was it? Come,
out with it at once!"
In the upper smoking-room. There
was no one else present. They not see
me, either of them; they too angry, too
excited. But I see both, him that was
killed last night, and the other"
who was he? Quick!'
Il not know his name for certain. He
stay here for some time-fair gentleman
with two eyes.
"You fool, that's nothing peculiar"
Two different eyes; one blue, one
brown"
Captain Fawcett, friend of Mr.. and
Mrs. Sarsfeld?"
Yes, that's him." cried Cornelis, catch
ing at the name eagerly. Il remember
him now. Fair gentleman. Speak sharp
and short to We walters. That him"
And why did you not tell this to the
Coroner to-day? It is most important
information; you had no right to with
4 afraid. The Captain very cross
man. Don't know what he do to me If
accuse him."
aYou would have accused him of moth
ing. Only he would have been obliged
to say what he knew about the murdered
man."
Il hope you not get me into trouble,
sir. very quiet man; try to do right.
Don't tell the manager, please, or this
Captain; he is sure to be very cross with
me-"
Il shall have to do what is right, my
friend; the matter cannot rest here
And so saying took my departure, lesv-
ing Tans very woe-begone and unhappy.
The nSw facts thus wrung from the un-
willing +uraIly made deep i'm.
preston on me. They intensified my
suspicious of Captain Fswcett, and, in
deed, supplied very damaging evidence
against him. Mrs. Sarsfeld's insinua-
ton was now corroborated in the most
convincing way. Here was the waiter
Cornelis. who had overheard the inter-
view, alteration, quarrel. between Cap
tain Fawcett and the murdered man.
If Cornelis had only understood what
had passed between them! In this heated
conversation, overheard, but unhappily
not understood, was doubtless the clew
to the crime.
On leaving Cornelis went straight to
the upper smoking g-rCom, the scene of the
alteration described by him. To my
disgust I found I was not to have the room
to myself; some one else was already
there. But my annoyance gave place to
surprise and satisfaction when 1 saw that
the other occupant was Captain Fawcett
himself. We had nodding acquaint-
ance, besides which there was curious
camaraderie that makes all smokers ac-
quaintances, ready enough to talk to-
gether over the fragrant weed.
SO You have found out this quiet and
retired spot?" began Captain Fawcett.
do you often come here?"
Not often; do you?"
"Only when I want to get away from
the crowd. I have not been here for q
week"
"Liar!" thought to myself. And
Cornelius saw you here yesterday with
your victim"
But the rest Of the hotel has become
unbearable since that horrible affair. I
was really glad to get away from every
one. There is only one topic on their
1T is very natural, however" said,
that the murder should occupy every one
to-day. For myself can think of moth
ing else"
"Oh! come, if you are going to talk
about it too, shall take myself off. Per-
haps down upon the beach shall escape
from the inevitable subject. 1t begins to
weary me, confess.
Pray don't .et me drive you away; we
will talk of Iomething else. suppose,
like most men of you. cloth, Captain Faw-
cett. you have been great traveller
Il have done my share. India, the
West Indies. Canada the Cane of Good