The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-13

us, the froIic broke up IN tight. be
an ugly customer with my best friends,
they Y, when I'm drunk. Martin Lee
and me fought, and somebody twas
never Martin-cut me with knife. l was
done for then, and when 1 came to no.
body knew aught of Martin Lee. Now,
seeing how twas, twas clear to me he
would be caught and hanged if died.
When. as ! say and Yill maintain. twas
all my fault, an Martin Lee Is in hiding
for a thing he need not be ashamed of.
I have come to set his mind at rest. I'm
main sorry it happened with my old
mate-the best friend / ever sailed with.
So, if you are intimate with John Lee,
and can help me get his good will, we
must tell Martin Lee there's no longer
use for his hiding"
There is ten times-a thousand times
more reasons he should conceal himself
now than there were before. I have a
plan," said Arthur Proctor. He produced
q purse and held it toward the sailor.
WAS not this in my hand when Daniel
Meade was taken with ft?"
Il dare say such as liked could see it. "
Arthur Proctor reflected. Tom Jones
regarded him with speculative eye.
There is more in this than appears on
the face of it. The landlord was like
himself until he fell in a fit"
That is for you to say-I must gay
thought him out of sorts from the mo-
ment set eyes on him. I saw him look
over anothers shoulder at this purse, and
then he gave loud cry, as you heard"
"Aye-we all heard him"
The sailor looked wonderingly at the
young man, then frowned as he thought
Of his experience in the night.
Why should D aniel Meade be upset at
the sight of purse?" Arthur Proctor
asked himself the question, although he
uttered it. He was thinking less of the
sailor than of circumstances which were
slowly shaping themselves in connected
manner in his mind.
.Eh? Damned if I can make head or
tail of it," said the sailor. If Martin
Lee was really in Globe Inn when the
murder was done, why don't the landlord
and his wife set to and find him? If they
have any clues 10 work on, why don't
they make cry about it?"
That is what am wondering at,
Proctor answered.
Tell you what, mate, 'tis like they are
biding their time to spring on him. What
think you?"
4 was thinking" said Proctor, like one
awaking from dream, how We can best
get at the bottom of this business"
"Mayhap I can help you. promised
I'd say nothing, but am not sure did
right in promising. Leastways, there's
no harm in telling you"
Here the sailor related what befell him
through the night. AS he describ ed the
approach of the landlord Of Globe Inn to
his bedside, and the thrust with the
knife, the sudden appearance Of Grizzle,
and the returning consciousness Of the
landlord, Arthur Proctor listened SPELL
bound
This is strange tale" he said, as the
sailor concluded. Tis the hand OF
Providence" He was unconsciously
forming in his mind a theory that was to
lead to startling results. This is deli
cate-a very dangerous business for Mar
tin Lee, for you and me, and the landlord
and Grizzle Meade, his wife, If We make
any mistake. This is plainly hanging
matter"
Tell me what I can do. You'll find
me ready"
Arthur Proctor pondered long in
silence, sighed deeply, and said:
I have a plan. But first OF all, We
must take my uncle into our confidence"
Il see no wrong in that"
The day wss we'll advanced when those
three entered Globe Inn. Grizzle Meade
looked sharply at them as they seated
themselves and called for wine, which
they drank slowly, like men who relished
it. They talked of the weather, Of taxes,
the Indian wars, of everything but witch
craft, until the landlord entered. The
callers were few. One customer rode
away from the inn, and wagon ap-
preached. seeing which the landlord
went out Of doors. It did not escape the
ewes Of the customers that the moment
Daniel Meade left the doorway Grizzle
Meade re-entered, and stood looking out
after her husband. Then Proctor's uncle,
Abner Balm, suddenly stopped and hold.
ing up purse, the same that Proctor had
exposed the night before, said:
Daniel Meade had best look to his
purse, or less honest people may find it,
Mistress Meade"
At sight of the purse Grizzle Meade
turned deadly pale, but she answered
quickly:
''Tis not my husbands, nor never was.
never saw it before"
Abner Balm made no answer, but slipped
his wine. The wagon, which had stopped,
rolled on, Grizzle withdrew, and Daniel
Meade re-entered. AS he entered Abner
Balm spoke, holding out the purse:
Hast ever seen purse like this in the
hands of q customer"
Grzzle Meade peered in at the door as
her husband looked at the purse.
Il found it lying on the floor"
The landlord reached out hand quick
", then os quickly withdrew it.
-'Tis not mine-found it, say you? On
the floor? 'Tis the same as your friend
carries. If it be not Pro tors Know hot
whose it may be-"
And that be so, may keep it until the
owner calls for it..
Daniel Meade made no reply, and soon
afterward the three took their departure.
Did you see how pale she was?" said
the sailor, whose eyes we're keen, when
they were on the road again.
And I remarked how he held out hand
until he bethoughht himself" said Abb
ner Balm.
This purse, said Proctor. shaking it,
will help to hang thee, Daniel Meade"