The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-21
4 WEIRD MYSTERY
Tracing q Dark Crime.
BY ALEXANDER ROBINSON, M. D.
CHAPTER L
Ra:,TatrTat.

I am doctor, and usually a light
sleeper, but on this night ! must have
overdonc myself, for, having failed to
arouse mo by jerking the Office bell,
the party outside had resorted to this
violent means Of pounding upon the
door.
Springing up, and now fully awake,
hastily slipped on my clothes.
In the meantime, the party outside
had given another series OF scientific
raps on the noffensive panels Of my door.
aBe easy, there; I am coming" ]
called, tugging at refractory boot.
Finally equipped, ! struck for the
door and opened it, having first turned
up the fame OF the night lamp, which
had been left burning behind screen.
A man stood on the steps.
He was muf1ed up from the chill night
air so that his face was hardly visible.
doctor, want you"
/ bent forward 10 gain . better view
of his countenance.
"What you, Mr.. Ketcham!"
He nodded his head.
This man, Abner Ketcham, was one OF
the shrewdest detectives in the whole
city of New York.
His name was a household word.
Under many an alias the detective
hed figured in the most important cases
OF the times. ,.s
knew him because VIC had had some
little business month before, when I
was fresh from my foreign travel and re-
searches into the mysteries of the materia
medica of the ancient Egyptians.
At that time l had been enabled to do
Mr.. Ketcham great favor, and he had
taken fancy to me.
Possibly this might account for his
calling me up at 3 o'clock in the morning,
as had learned it was.
sAllow me one minute to put on my
hat and coat, sir, and am with you"
Bring your case along, also every
known antidote for poison" he said.
did as he requested.
We were soon outside, and for the first
time I noticed that carriage stood near
the curb.
ain with you, Doctor. Back again,
driver, and don't spare horse flesh"
] began to be interested.
The words of the detective, together
with certain other things that could be
taken into consideration. seemed to
foreshadow some event beyond the ordi-
nary.
We started off at . round pace.
Though bursting with curiosity, I would
not say a word, knowing Mr.. Ketcham
too well for that.
At last he spoke.
II have q case TO. you, Doctor, that
will try your skill"
you're welcome TO it, sir"
~Havc you ever met DR.. Seabury?"
II have seen him and heard much OF
him, but have no personal acquaint-
cnce."
He had mentioned the name Of a physi-
clan noted for his knowledge in the line
of toxicology.
There never yet had been any case in
sho way Of poisons, present or ancient,
which. submitted to him, could not be
readily solved.
Mr.. Ketcham said no more.
! was left to take it for granted that
was TO be a co-laborer with the great
Doctor Seabury upon some intricate
case.
The thought flattered me.
Though had never had any personal
acquaintance with the old gentleman,
was following in his footsteps, having
made toxicology or the science of poisons
In their relation to the human body my
life study.
He must have heard of me, then, and
needing assistance On some point on
which he was not positive, had sent for
me-
could sec Mr.. Ketcham's eyes upon
my face every little while.
No doubt he wondered why I refrained
from asking questions; but had read my
man before, and knew that the easiest
way to his regard was silence and self
possession at all times.
Hence, determined to be surprised at
nothing, no matter what might happen
The rattle and bang caused by such
rapid progress over the stony streets was
far from being conducive to comfort,
oven if one were inclined to talk.
At length the vehicle drew up close to
the curb.
~Here we are, Doctor" said the de-
tective, as he opened the door he had
peen nervously lingering, ana leaped
out
I followed more sedately, as I had a
couple of small cases 10 look after.
Glancing up, discovered that we were
before a house that was peculiar, not
only in itself but because its class is al
most obsolete in New York, where every
foot of ground is worth a great deal of
money.
The house fronted on the street, but it
ha6 side yard, which was, l had no
doubt, q garden, although high wall
prevented me from making sure of this.
could just catch glimpse Of d stable
IN the rear.
We walked up the steps.
Mr.. Ketcham opened the front door in
q free and easy manner that told he was
perfectly familiar with its working.
There was not soul in the hall.
The gas burned dimly.
A glance around showed me that it was
the abode of one wfo certainly possessed
wealth, and who had travelled a great
deal, for every foot Of space seemed to
lave some valuable ornament, painting
or bit of bric-a-brac. such as man OF
taste ana unlimited meIns would pick up
during years spent abroad.
"Up-stairs, Doctor" said the detective.
! followed on.
My feet sank into the softest Of Per-
sian carpets upon the stairs. i was
puzzling nv brain to determine the ma