Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-07-14
CHAPTER xxNV.
After a pause. Pratt continued.

said:
Take it. 1t is the price you demand
for nv sons liberation This Is my en-
ployer's money, but I will replace 1t
with my own money, which is In my
little private safe
Then John Oakburn's little safe was
robbed on the night OF the murderl' ex-
claimed Paxton.
After this we permitted Reid Oak
burn 30 go away with his father. First,
however, We gave him one thousand
dollars Of the marked money to con-
tinue his flight with.
In former days in Kansas City
Kredge and Reid Oakburn were great
friends, as I happen to know, because
Kredge was then employed by me.
kredge objected to taking part in any
scheme against Reid, but his love OF
money was greater than his friendship,
and he consented finally when We prom
ised him a share Of the money we wrung
from Oakburn. Now 1 have told you
the whole story, and every word Of 1t is
the truth"
Thus Pratt concluded.
Paxton and Stanmore were both con-
WINGED from Pratt's manner that his
story was not a fabrication, surprising
as his statement was.
After this Pratt wrote out a docu-
ment which was a clear and concise ex-
PLANTATION of how Stanmore had been
made the dupe of the prime swindlers,
and which proved his entire innocence
of the swindle, at the head of which he
had been placed by Pratt and Weeks.
When the paper mad been read and
approved by Stanmore, message was
sent to Weeks, who soon put in an ap-
pearance. The situation was explained
to MIN, and. making virtue of neces-
sity, he signed Stanmore's vindication
with his partner.
After this the two scoundrels were per-
mitted to go.
Paxton and Stanmore at once repaired
TO a police station, where the man who
exchanged overcoats with Stuart Har-
land had been lodged in a cell by the
agent who had arrested him..
4. This man was told of Pratt's confess
sion, and he confirmed the brokers story
perfectly. In conclusion he said:
Yes, my real name is Reid Oakburn,
and 1 am John Oakburn's son."
How came the skeleton keys in the
pocket of the Overcoat you exchanged
with Harland?" asked Paxton.
Before I was recognized and trapped
by Pratt, had been providing about
GarrisOn's office. but had not revealed
myself TO my father. I knew that he
formerly kept his money in the little
safe, with his curious weapons and coins.
and meant to rob his private safe.
I took the wax Impressions and had
skeleton keys made for the outside and
interior door. I also had a key made
for the big safe. I meant to blow open
the little one, for couldn't get into the
private office to take an impression.
4 was in league with a band of burg
lars, with whom 1 had recently formed
an acquaintance, and an experienced
'safe-blower' was to help me do the Job.
Well. fled from the city the night
of my fathers death. I merely did so
TO deceive Pratt and Weeks, for I dis
trusted them, and feared they might
seek to betray me to the police, after
all
I meant TO return, and so I did, after
going to Albany, where I procured a
complete disguise, from a Jew, to whom
was recommended by one OF the band
Of burglars had joined.
ON the way to Albany it occurred to
me that Pratt and Weeks might have
had me Swallowed to the depot and tele-
graphed my description ahead. SO as to
secure my arrest without seeming to
have instignted it. felt the necessity
for an immediate change OF costume,
and that was why 1 appropriated Har-
lands coat while he slept. forgot to
take the keys out OF the pocket Of the
coat l left behind.
Later. after my return to the city,
met levi Kredge, whose completely
with Pratt and Weeks did not suspect,
and one whom thought no temptation
could induce 70 betray me, 1 revealed
myself to him, and he carried a note to
my half-sister, Marion, for me.
She had always been kind to me, and
had always hoodwinked her as to my
real character, and thus won her sym
patty. She sincerely thought I was
more sinned against than SHINING.
After that Marion met me, but she
had been tracked, and I fed to escape
detective. One night not long ago, I
CHANGED to be at the house of Mother
kits, when 1 discovered, much to my
surprise, that Marion was q prisoner in
rear room there. Unknown to Mother
kits, I had just liberated her, and I
was about to lead her out of that house,
when you appeared, Mr.. Paxton.
4 had told Marion that was a fugl-
tive, accused of a crime which had not
executed, and, as I took the most solemn
oath that was innocent, she implicitly
believed me.
When she saw you she whispered as
she snatched a revolver from my hand
Flee, I'll prevent his following you.
Then it was that she confroted you in
the door, with the revolver leveled,
while escaped through a rear exit
After my escape, tried in vain to
learn what had become of Marion.
Before 1 knew that the money paid
TO Pratt and Weeks by my father was
marked, gave Marion a ten-dollar note
from the money 1 had received from the
men who betrayed me.
BY Levi Kredge I had previously
sent Marion a photograph of myself,
taken while I was in disguise. so that
she would knew me when we met"
With this Reid Oakburn was silent.
The mystery of MRrion's connection
with the supposed assassin, and as to
how she came by the marked bank note
which she had changed at the little
shop where Paxton received 1t, was ex-
planned.
Who do you suspect is your fathers
murderer" asked Paxton.
Levi Kredgel" answered Reid Oak
burn In tone Of conviction.
Why sO2"
Because he was flush of money after
the murder, and it was not marked
money he had. I think he robbed my
fathers little private safe, after killing
the old gentleman"
The detective questioned Reid Oak
burn further, but nothing worthy OF
record was ELECTED after that, and the
interview was cut short by the arrival OF
one OF PaxtOn's agents, with note from
the villainous Ianitor, who requested
him to come to his cell as soon as posi-
bic. as he had decided TO make a con-
fessiOn.
viii he confess the murder? How
viii the mystery be explained" Won
dered Paxton.
He felt that the denouement was sure
" near at hand, and he fastened with
out the least delay to the Tombs. where
Levi kredge was confined:
AS soon as he was in Kredge's cell the
janitor began:
I am going to make a clean breas OF
the job. 1 don't want TO be put on trial
for John Oalburuis murrfar %