Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-12-09
The Sandycroft Mystery.
CHAPTER VIII-CoNrIYUEn.
by Il. w. sPEIGHT.


Ing nervously "a piece OF circum~
stantial evidence he said. (which
however awkward it may appear at
first sight could doubtless be readily
explained b. Bosworth II he were
here. For instance he may have dis
covered the body OF narvill some time
before did. and finding he was dead
and past hope have resolved. through
nervousness or timidity, TO leave him
where no found him rather than run
the risk OF being mixed up in any
way with the affair.""
Such theory is by no means i'm
probable. But have not done yet !"
Speaking thus. Mr.. Ives dipped his
hand into the tail pocket OF his coat
and produced therefrom the damask-
eened dagger in its sheath of silver
mounted shagreen. May ask. sir,
whether you have ever seen this arti-
Gle beforcp"
Yes it is my property gasped the
colonel. But how did you come by
itP'
1T was found by me in drawer in
Mr.. Bosworth's dressing table With
out more ado he drew the dagger from
its sheath and held il out for the
colonel to see. Tho blade was stained
with blood.
The colonel shuddered and held up
his hands Put it away. Ives for
Gods sake" he said. What you
have just told distresses me even more
than the death OF Darvill les. to me
that boy was as il he had been a son
OF my own. Nay-what do | say?
Was!-ls!-for that he is guilty of
this awful crime / W Ii never believe
till hear the avowal from his own
lips " His features worked strangely.
and it was evidently all ne could do to
control his emot on lie made be-
lieve to be busy rubbing the glasses
OF h pince-nez with his handkerchief.
but hands trembled so that he
could scarcely hold them.
'Of course sr" resumed Ives.
'you understand that / shall have o
alternative but to lay al! the items OF
ev dence in my possess on before the
jury, which is fXed TO st at three
o clock.
''Jf course Ives, / quite under
stand that. You must do 20 r duty.
as we all must But | say as | said
before, that it was not RIDDEN Bos-
worths hand that slew Vivian Oar
will"
To this the super ntendent made no
response, and each Of the men went
hs way.
Emma and Mrs. Asplin had been
waiting luncheon for the colonel. and
he at once joined them. but it was not
till the meal was over and the SER
wants had left the room that he said
a word abou. his interview with Ives.
Then he told his tale. Emma listened
10 it with amazement and incredulity
equal to his own When he had done
speaking she said quietly. but in a
tone OF supreme conviction: How
ever strong-in his absence-the evil
dence may seem against Roden moth
ing will make me believe that it was
his hand which did the deed.
Spoken like my own true hearted
girl, exclaimed the colonel with
fervor That's exactly what said
TO Ives"
They talked awhile longer but
none OF them was able to suggest any
thing which seemed likely TO throw
the slightest ray of light on the mys-
terry. Then the colonel was sent for
by the coroner He was gone a
couple OF hours and when he came
back the ladies at once saw by his
face that the news he brought was
the reverse OF good. He sat down
without speaking. and for while the
silence remained unbroken.
Then thc colonel said-speaking
with a quaver in his voice like that
OF "A very old man They have
brought in a verdict OF wilful murder
against him."
There was no need to ask who was
meant by him.
Then came another space OF silence;
then anna rose and crossed the room
and put her arms around the colonel
neck and kissed him. ''I'or all that
uncle, she said. you and / believe
as firmly in his innocence as ever"
That we do girl but I'm afraid
we are the only two people who can
say So"
Wherever Roden may sbe said
Emma, he will be nearly sure to SEQ
newspaper either in the course of
tomorrow or the day after-I mean
OF course n newspaper containing the
particulars OF this shocking affair AS
soon as he reads tho account | feel
sure that he will return with all speed
and clear up the mystery. which. after
all will doubtless prove capable Of a
very simple explanation.
That's just what | am living in
hope OF" returned the colonel.
What said 10 myself was When
tho lad finds out what coil of trouble
he's got himself into he'll come bac *
as fast as steam can bring him. and
face the charge like man. But oh
dear! oh dcar.-what n change for IA
few hours 10 BRING 1t seems hard 10
believe that no longer ago than yes
to-day evening we were all rs happy