The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-08
SAVED BY A HAIR.

1t was dark and stormy night without,
and drew my chair closer to the fire as [
slipped my tea and regaled myself with the
news Of the local paper. AS the storm and
sleet ratified furiously against the window
and pedestrians hurried by, anxious to
reach place of shelter. felt thankful that
was not obliged TO leave my comfortable
home for the night.
whats this?" / said, as my eye alighted
on startling paragraph.
Mysterious murder Mr.. John Ran
dolph, one of our old and wealthy citizens,
was this morning found dead in his room,
having been murdered during the night by
some unknown person. Edgar Morton, a
clerk in his employ, and who, reports say,
was soon 10 be married to his daughter,
has been arrested for the murder. and cir
cumstRnces are said to be strongly against
him."
Now, although / am usually among the
FIRST TO hear of criminal news, from the ma
ture OF my business. this was the first
intimation / had received that such muir
+ der had been done. This seemed very
! strange, as was on the very best Of terms
with Mr.. Randolph and his whole family.
"And so this is the way that Edgar Nor
ton repays the benelactor Of his youth and
soon-to-be fatherl Yet, no." | cried. II
will stake my life on that young mans inno-
cence."
As | spoke there came gentle tap al the
door, followed almost Immediately by the
entrance of lady deeply yelled, who at
once threw aside her veil, disclosing to me
the features of my deceased friends daugh-
ter, Cecilia Randolph.
Excuse me, Mr.. Ferguson, for entering
unlnyited. but urgent business must be my
only excuse"
"Oh. Mr.. Fergusonw she sobbed forth.
burying her face in her hands, that I
should ever be obliged to come TO you on
such an errand as thisi''
endeavored to quiet her, and partially
succeeded, when drew from her what facts
she knew regarding her fathers death.
He retired last night at the usual hour.
apparently In good spirits, and no sound
was heard during the night to cause an
alarm. In the morning, as he failed to ap-
pear al breakfast, servant was dispatched
10 summon him. Knocking at the door and
receiving no answer. be finally opened it
aud advanced into the room. What sight
did he then behold My poor father lay
upon his bed, with his throat cut from ear
10 ear! Death must have come to him sud
deniy-so suddenly as to prevent any out
cry-aDd the unknown assassin had no
trouble ~ making his escape"
But, l said, Il can't see why any one
should suspect Edgar of the murder"
hat is the most mysterious part of the
ead affair. This morning when Edgar was
Teeled, and would have fallen to the ground
had not support been given him. Some of
the ignorant beholders of this scene thought
bis actions denoted guilt and an officer was
summoned, who at once insisted on search
Ing his room. A razor on which were sew
eral spots Of blood was found concealed
under the CARPET, together with an old suit
OF clothes belonging 10 Edgar which was
despatched with blood. This was consid-
cred sufficient evidence to warrant his
arrest, ana he now lies in Jail. charged with
the awful crime of murder. Oh, Mr.. Ferg-
usoD. II you can do anything to save him,
and at the same time bring the guilty per-
petrafor Of the deed TO justice. will amply
reward you"
do you know Of eny enemies OF your
father or OF Edgar who would be likely to
commit such crime, either for robbery or
revenge?" l asked.
Oh" she replied, SIT was not done for
robbery. as everything in the room was as
my father left 1t the night before. His
watch and pocketbook, the latter contain
lhe good sum of money. were found under
his pillow, where he always placed them !;
30 that the crime mnst have been committed
to crafty iendish thirst for revenge"
NOW, then. who of all your acquain-
tances could do such thing?"
Il cannot possibly say. My father had
not an enemy in the world, to my knowl-
edge, or Edgar, eitheT-unless, perhaps. il
might be Conrad Smithers, nv fathers
DooKkeeper and head clerk. But ii would
be impossible for MIN to do such deed"
wv hat reason have you for suspectpp
tnst he is not Edgar's friend"
"Only this: some time ago Conrad, whom
we have always regarded as one of the FAM
lily, proposed for my hand, and told him it
was not mine TO give.
- SUSPECTED as much he muttered
Then, while his face grew dark as night
and MS features assumed an appearan ce
perfectly fearful, he continued, but you
snail never become the wife of Edgar Nor
ton while have life to prevent it,
de then turned and abruptly left me- I
was much alarmed and thought of speaking
TO my father about 1t, but during the after.
noon ne returned and begged my forgive
Eess for the words he had used. and made
such professions of sorrow in regard to them
that freely forgave him, and have since
thought no more Of the matter"
"The fact is quite clear to me-" said
II know this fellow well and the sort of
company he keeps, and shall not be sur
prised TO find that he committed the murder.
Now, then, l want to see the body of your
father and the room in which the deed was
done"
We'll, Mr.. Ferguson" she eaid. rising
ana preparing TO accompany me, you will
ma everything as Ii was when first dis.
covered. The officer decided not to disturb
anything until after the inquest, which takes
place tomorrow forenoon
wrapping myself up In my great coat. We
set out and after a brisk walk of ten min.
utes reached the handsome residence of NV