Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-06-23

his way To visit Judith Kredge, In answer
to her letter, Stanmore was also setting
out TO secretly call upon the janitor's
sister.
Stanmore was approaching Garrison's
Office from one direction, while Paxton
was coming toward it from an exactly
opposite way.
The former had almost arrived at his
destination, when he discovered the de-
tective. and believing that Paxton had
not seen him he crossed the street and
hurried around the next corner. He
1nncied that the detective would not ap-
provo Of the plan he had in mind, and
which prompted him to clandestInely
visit Judith Kredge.
Peering around the corner Of the
building, at the streets junction, which
he had gained, Stanmore saw Paxton
enter Judith's abode, and he resolved
TO remain where he was until the de-
tective took his departure.
The note which Paxton had received
from Judith Kredge stated that she had
just discovered q letter which Marion
Oakburn had left behind her, and that
she wished him to see 1t at once, as 1t
contained terrible disclosure.
When Paxton entered the Garrison
building he was admitted by Judith, and
almost Immediately the woman produced
letter, which she declared she had just
found in MariOn's room, where she
thought the detective must have over
looked it when he searched the apart
ment.
Paxton had previously obtained a
specimen of Marion's handwriting, and
he saw that either the letter given him
by Judith Kredge was q genuine dOcu-
ment or q clever forgery, such as only
an expert in photographic Identification
could detect.
The substance of the letter signed by
Marion Oakburn, with her name in full,
was terrible confession.
We will not reproduce tho letter in
full; suffice it to say that 1t plainly
stated that Marion murdered her father.
When he had mastered the contents
of this letter, Paxton reflected for some
time In silence, and his good judgment
whispered that il must be forgery.
"A criminal flying from justice never
yet left such a confession behind him,
thought the detective.
judith watched the detectives face as
he read the letter, as though she was
seeking to read his thoughts, but his face
was now as immovable as q mask, and II
told her nothing.
If this letter is not q forgery, then
the secret of John Oakburn's fate is re-
vealed. I shall find a way TO decide
that question soon," said Paxton; and
taking the letter with him, he soon after
left Judith's abode.
Although he had not betrayed the
fact, Paxton saw Stanmore as he was
approaching the Garrison building, and
he saw the latter dodge across the
street TO avoid him.
There is something strange in Stan
more's conduct, thought Paxton, glanc-
ing about as he came out Of the Garrison
building.
A moment later he saw Stanmore al
the corner, but he passed on as though
he had not seen him, and entered c
shop.
Then Stanmore FASTENED to the door
OF the Garrison building.
Through the shop window Paxton saw
StanmOre Isave his post at the corner
and the detective followed him, and saw
him enter the house which no had him
self just left.
Wondering what Stanmore's business
with Judith Kredge could be, the detec-
tive left the vicinity, and took his way
homeward.
He passed the office of Pratt & Weeks
and although all was darkness there
could he have seen within the private
office of the firm, he would have OBJ
served Pratt and his partner going Ovel
their accounts, and striving to find I
way out of the financial difficulties II
which they had become involved.
The railway stocks, upon the rise o.
which oil their hopes depended, were
steadily declining in value, and the ras-
cally brokers felt that they were ruined
unless they could use the marked
money.
Il will tell you, Weeks. there's no use
of concealing it from ourselves any
longer. We're foored. The marked
money must be usedl" cried Pratt, dash
ing down his pen savagely.
1T has about come to the worst, tina
is sure, assented Weeks.
Pratt paced the floor, and said:
4 mean to take the risk, and attempt
TO realize on the marked money. I'm.
fortunately, all our attempts TO remove
the marks so that they might not betray
US, have failed. They could not be OBJ
liberated without defacing the note SO a:
10 attract suspicion"
But while Paxton passed onward by
the swindling brokers office, there were
some startling reflections in his mind
founded upon the discovery he had made
when he examined the lOcket belonging
TO Marion, which Judith Kredge haC
pawned. and also relating to his diseov
cry Of StanmOTe's secret interviews Will
Judith.
The discovery which the sight of tn,
portrait in the lOcket caused Paxton t.
mako, and the suspicious and theories
which the detective founded upon tina
discovery, will presently be made elea
TO the reader.
But what was the motive for Stan
more's visit to Judith Kredge2
He believed the woman knew wherl
Marion was, and he meant to bride he
10 save tho cashiers daughter, to nber
ate her.
The interview between Stanmore anC
Judith need not be recorded in full, bu
we may as we'll state that the forme
assured the woman that he was con
WINGED she knew where Marion was, anC
he offered any price II she would accom-
plish her rescue.
But Judith still protested that she wa!
entirely innocent on the subject. anC
Stanmore was obliged to leave withou
accomplishing anything.
The following day stranger calleC
upon StanmOre at his hotel, and placing
a letter in his hand hurried away with
out word.
StanmOre was astonished at the mans
conduct, but the sight OF the hand
writing on the envelope seemed to drive
all thought Of anything but the lettel
out OF his mind.
1T Is from Marionl" he cried; anC
tearing open the letter he deYoured IL.
contents
The letter was as follows:
Mr. sTANAORE; You told me TO call upoI
you for assistance. should the time eve
come, when IN dire extremity / needed /
devoted friend
That time has come now. was abductea
from my home, and am now q captive b.
those who are in league with persons VIII
are interested In concealing the real trutl
OF my fathers murder.
pow tho secret OF my poor father
terrible Fate and until to-day had in M
1OszeSslOu a Uauer. which would Y,roNra IN
truth OF the explanation had resolved Z
mike the next day after my abduction. 4