The Globe-republican., 1892-03-17
CHAPTER H.-(Continued).e


a narrow passage between that and the
next building
The police sergeant kept close to the
detective as though he feared he would
make some discovery which might escape
his own unGuided observation, and he
noted all Paxton saw.
1t was Mr. PaXtOn'S method never to
ask any questions until he had thorough
ly examined the scene of q crime. and
thus in the first instance his mind was
unbiased by what might be told him.
Now having concluded his investiga-
ton for the present, he addressed sew
eral questions to Marion and Judith
Kredge
@Miss Oakburn, did you hear the re-
port of pistol or any unusual sound
before you discovered your father?" he
asked.
mo. sir, heard nothing, although 1
have not slept to night" answered
Marion.
"And did you hear nothing?" contin-
ued Paxton, turning to Judith Kredge.
"Nothing, Sir" she replied.
when you came to the Office. think
you told the policeman that you found
the door unlocked?" Paxton went on,
now addressing Marion
Eyes, sir, it was unlocked"
~And the street door,"
Marion turned to Judith.
THAT was also unlocked and unbolted,
as found when went to open it, the
woman said
"Was there any one besides you and
this woman in your apartments tonight,
Miss Oakburn?"
Marion hesitated for q moment, and
then she said:
~Mr. Stuart Harland, clerk employed
by Mr.. Garrison, occupied our front
room directly over the office"
"But he is not there now, sir. l ran
up to his room as soon as we discovered
that Mr. Oakburn was murdered. l am
sure l don't know what can have be-
come of him. for he went to his room as
usual quite late, and as sleep in room
adjoining his heard him moving about
a few moments before Miss Marion
raped at my door and asked me to go
down and look for her father. l no.
tic ID when I looked into his room that
his traveling-bag was gone" said Judith
kredge.
Marion's face assumed an expression
of absolute agony, and she gave Judith
Kredge a glance full of aversion and
fear.
Mr. Paxton and the police sergeant eX-
changed significant glanceS
Excuse me q moment" said the de-
tective, and he slipped out of the Office.
He returned very quickly, for he had
only run up to Stuart Harland's apart
ment and hastily searched it. He dis
covered nothing except that the bed had
not been opened that night.
cbort If q tim h0twnon tho dQ.
tective and the police sergeant ensued,
and the latter said;
you are right, sir; Mr.. Garrison
should be sent for at once"
Acting upon this decision, he dis
patched one of his men to the brokers'
residence with a hastily written note
containing information of the tragedy
which had been enacted at his Office
Marion. seemingly exhausted by grief
and excitement, had seated herself be-
side her dead father, and with her face
buried in her hands she remained silent
and motiOnless, while Judith Kredge
stood by a window and listened eagerly
to a conversation which was carried on
in low tones between the police sergeant
and ore of his men.
Judith Kredge did not possess good
face: rather it was one to awaken dis
trust in the mind of the observer. She
hal a low. retfeating forehead, large
coarse features, thin bloodlesS lips, and
small yellow eyes set close together un-
der beetling brows Her age was about
fifty Her life had not been cast in
pleasant places, and she had grown
to hate those who were happy be-
cause she was not so. She was en-
vious OF all persons who were in the
possession of the advantages of life OF
which fate had deprived her. In dispo-
sition she was vindictive and cruel. She
was cunning, INSCRIPTIONS and daring
to certain degree, and avarice domin-
ated every other passion in her heart
Just at this moment there were
strange thoughts in judith Kredge's
mind. She was plotting seemingly to
turn certain secrets Of this dreadful
night of murder to her own profit.
Mr.. Jason Garrison, the broker, ar
rived in less than thirty minutes, and he
was pale and agitated.
Suspense and anxiety were written
upon his features as he burst into the
Office, and as though oblivious to the
presence of anyone rushed to John Oak
burns desk and began to examine file
of cheques which he took from drawer.
His hands trembled the while so that he
could scarcely hold the papers, and he
experienced the keen agony Of game
ster to whom the turning OF . card OF
the calling out Of number Is almost 9
matter of life or death, IS he ran ovel
the file of che ues
He is searching for something of vi
tai importance to his interest,"" sale
Paxton, soto yoce.
sNot here! There Is one chance left!'
exclaimed Jason Garrison, totally un
conscious that he spoke, and turning Il
. small memorandum book he hurriedl,
looked over its pages.
The next moment the book fell from
his nerve.ess grasp. and he sank for
ward as though Frustrated by . nervOu
shock.
Il am q ruined man!s he exclaimed.
Paxton quickly sprang to his side.
NVnu h~v 3noA aopin,,o 1noo h