The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-23
CONFESSED HIS CRIME.
iCONTTNUED.l

found Jack Ferguson q young man Oh
good address and frank face. yet deeply
distressed over his unfortunate position. lie
had little 10 offer save that he was innocent.
The knife found in his employers heart
was his but il had been stolen from him
long time before the tragic night. AS 10
the stranger, he had never seen him be-
fore. and even Mr. Jordan seemed not to
know him.
sHe was very chatty. however. and Of
fered cigars to both Mr.. Jordan and my
self" continued Mr.. Ferguson.
Ibid you accept oneY
"Yes"
"And smoke it?''
"No; was just going out. and put the
cigar in my pocket.
''Where is it now?
"In my coat at home"
"Very good"
A little later left him and quickly re-
paired to the chemist.
what luck. WIFE"
''The wine is all right"
"And the cuspidOre?
'I'll tell you" aud my friend bent forward
and whispered a word in my ear.
~ thought So" l said, with a start.
The chemist was curious, and had to
enlighten him as to my latest case. had
everything in readiness for the Inquest,
which was held the next morning, l made
myself solid with the coroner at the outset,
and had learned from Mrs. Ferguson her
whole family history, and such other things
as | deemed necessary.
The first witness called was young Fergu-
son, who gave an account Of that last evening
with his employer. Since the young man
I, IL 4ac+f Y,arr, Tal-a m
with degree of allowance on the part OF
the Jury He told of the coming of the
stranger, q man with an immense beard,
who prOfessed Co know Mr.. Jordan, ana
who seemed a gnod-natured fellow Indeed,
since he offered cigars AZ once. Next On the
stand was Madeline. She cOrToborated that
part Of the story her husband told relating
to the stranger, aud could see That this had
an influence on the jury.
| took It upon myself 10 ask a good many
questions. The most important witness
was yet to come, however, III the person OF
the murdered mans partner.
He was cool and collected enough when
- be took the Witness-stand. After the COrO-
her had brought out the fact that it was
Ferguson's knife found in the heart OF the
murdered man l took the witness.
How long have you been in partnership
with Mr.. Jordan 2?
My first question was one easily an
swered, which led TO others Of a preliminary
nature.
Now, Mr.. Brindle, is 1t your opinion
that your late partner came to his death
from the knife wound?"
"Of course How else could 1t be?" he
asked quickly.
"Wew will get at that soon" said Now,
sir, II the knife caused JOrdan's death
what became of the blood? found none
on the floor, nor any in or about the muir
dered mans clothing"
regarded the witness keenly.
E1.I srxNz ffr-Ft
Rrindle's reply.
Would il be possible to stab a man to
the heart and not draw drop OF blood TO
the outsider" l asked.
Ell do not know, sir"
"But know. 1t would be impossible"
said sharply.
"Well. it may be. ] cannot judge" re-
turned the witness 81 am sure the knife
was found in Mr.. Jordan's heart. and. as it
belongs to Jack Ferguson, that is evidence
to me that he is the murderer"
Now don't jump at conclusions. Mr..
Brindle. We do not care for your opinion
in the case just now. You will simply
answer questions put to YOU" said l
CURLY.
81 am ready to answer, sir"
VERY well. An expert surgeon has held
post mortem on the remains, and he as
serts that Mr.. Jordan was stabbed after life
Wss extinct"
bent and regarded Brindle keenly. /
saw his face blanch, and believe he trem-
blsd.
What is this to me ?" he said finally.
You will soon discover"
81 did not coma here to be insulted."
The man was getting on his dignity and 1t
pleased me.
You shall not be insulted," said. "We
only seek the truth, and are so sitting mat
tiers. Now, Mr.. Brindle, tell the jury who
the strange man was who visited Mr.. Jor-
dan on the night OF the murder"
L know nothing about him.
Are you sure?
Tam not in the habit OF being doubted
Mr.. Deering," snapped the witness angrlly.
The man was losing his temper. a fact
which pleased me not little. l would soon
have him at good advantage.
81 suppose not" / returned, "but beg tC
differ with you as regards this stranger
However. let him drop now. Do you recog
nIze this?'
suddenly presented morocco cigar-cas,
to the gaze Of the witness. He Clared I
moment and then put out his hand.
:. L is mine" he said.
Exactly.
Inow turned to the jury and said:
Gentlemen, this cigar-caSe was found IL
Price Brindle's pocket, the pocket of coat
worn On the hight of the murder 1t ha;
been ascertained that Mr. Jordan died be.
fore be was stabbed, and the stub of cigar
found in the cuspidore in Jordan's Office be
Ing snalyzed, is found to contain a mos
pulSoD. no etIdURtI WHO VlslLtl
Jordan on that fatal night passed cigars
and one Of them Jack Ferguson took, but
did not smoke. That. too, has been ana
Iyzed; it contained the same subtle drug
II is evident that double murder was con
templated."
Profound silence reigued while / mad,
the announcement. The face of Mr.. Pric,
Brindle was very white. at length he said
What is this to me? ] can't see that th
helps Jack Ferguson"
IN tell you," cried. turning upon hin
with piercing look. "rhe plot to remov,
both Mr.. Jordan and Jack Ferguson ha
failed. The poisoned cigar that the forme
smoked came out OF this morocco case Th,
cigars remaining here contain the sam
deadly drug, and you acknowledge the cas-
ana cigars TO be yours, Price Brlndle!"
White as ghost the witness gasped:
''fhe case is mine, but not the cigars. /
Is a plot to ruin me-
"Ob, no, it Is not" said, suddenly pro
ducing a false beard. This you wore OF
the night of the murder, Mr.. Brindle. Tn
evidence Is complete. You are the mur
dererp
His white lips parted. but no sound cam
Forth. With gasp he slipped from hi
chair In dead faint.
Price confessed his crime soon after. Hi
motive was twof0ld. His partners daugbte
had refused him and married Jack Fergu
son, and he, Brndle. was an embeZzIer, hay
Ing robbed the firm for some time, and fea,
ing detection, he planned the murder. Fail
Ing 10 kill FurgusoD, an after-thougi
caused him to attempt fixing the crime o
the young man. Brindle died in prison 500
after the confession. II. c.