Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-07-15

roDbery or revenge 7 | asked.
oh" she replied, sit was not done
for robbery, as everything in the room
was as my father left it the night before.
His watch and pocket book, the latter
containing good sum of money, were
found under his pillow. where he al
ways placed them, so that the crime
must have been committed to crafty
tlendish thirst for revenge"
"Now, then, who of all your acquaiul.
ances could do such thing p
Il cannot possibly say My father
had not an enemy in the world, to nv
knowledge. or Edgar either-uuless,
perhaps, it might be Conrad Smithers.
my fathers ok-keeper and head clerk
But it would be impossible for him to
do such deed"
what reason have you for suspect.
ing that he is not Edgar's friend ?"
"Only this: Some time ago Conrad,
whom we have always regarded as one
of tho family, proposed for my hand,
and l told him it was not mine to give.
Il suspected as much, he muttered And
then, while his face grew dark as night
and bis features assumed an appearance
perfectly fearful, he continued 'Bnt
you shall never become the wife of Ed
gar Morton while | have life to prevent
it, He then turned and abruptly loft
my presence. was much alarmed and
thought of speaking to my father about
it, but during the afternoon no returned
and begged my forgiveness for the words
he used and made such professions of
sorrow in regard to them that | freely
forgave him, and have since thought no
more of the matter"
"The fact is quite clear to me-" | said.
II know this fellow well and the sort of
company he keeps. and | should not be
surprised to find that he committed the
murder. Now, then, | want to see the
body of your father and the room in
which the deed was done"
"Well, Mr.. Ferguson" she said ris-
ing and preparing to accompany me,
you will find everything as it was when
first discovered The officer decided not
to disturb anything until after the in
quest, which takes place TO- morrow fore
noon"
Wrapping myself up in my great
coat, we set out; and, after brisk
walk Of ten minutes, reached tho hand
some residence of my companion. ! was
at once shown to the room of the muir
dered man, and then began making
such an examination as only detective
knows how TO make Circumstances of
the most trivial character, which would
be overlooked by an ignorant person.
are often seized upon by a skilllul de-
tectlve, and som otimes constitute the
most damaging evidence of guilt Ia
this case, however, everything had been
done in the most skillfu manner, and |
could not succeed in making any dis
covory.
| was about TO leave tho room in de-
spair when, glancing toward the bed, |
noticed what appeared to be a slight
scratch upon the neck of the murdered
man just above the gaping wound which
had 80 cruelty let out his LIES blood.
On examination found il to be nothing
more than hair, which had in some
manner probably become loosoncd from
the head Of tho assailant and had set
tied on the neck of the victim, where il
now lay. silent yet truthful witness,
pointing out the guilty wretch 10 the
eye Of justice The hair was of deep
red color, which was totally unlike that
of any Of the household II was, in
deed, the same colcr and shade M that
of Conrad Smithers
] placed it carefully in my pocket
book, and. saying nothing 10 any one
OF my discovery, started for the resi-
dencc of Smithers, intent on doing
little acting. | found him, as his attend
ant said, i'll in bed, and on no account
must he be disturbed.
'Ths sickness is but a stratagem,"
! thought, Ito divert suspicion"
Telling the woman wanted TO soc
him but for moment on tho most urgent
business, she finally reluctantly con
sonted to my entrance. | found him
lying upon bed, apparently in great
pain. In my youth | had studied medi-
cine, aud was consequently we'll inform
cd in such matters, aud saw at once,
with a quick glance, that he was only
feigning sickness He started up some
what angrily as entered, but silenced
him with motion Of my hand.
Conrad Smithors, this is a desperate
game you are playing, but it will avail
you nothing"
"What do you men 2" be exclaimed,
springing TO his feet, bis illness all gone.
81 mean that the game is up, and the
murderer Of John Randolph is dis
covered"
Thrown completely off his guard, as
| had anticipated he sank into chair.
and burying his face in his hands,
sobbcd out, Lost, lost -
"Do you confess the murder. then r
IL do" he answered, "now that con-
cealment is no longer Of use"
| took him at once into custody, and
soon had the satisfaction Of seeing him
change places with Edgar Morton.
Conrad Smitbers was tried for the
murder; and. knowing that any defense
would be useless after his confession TO
me, he pleaded guilty and threw him
self upon tho mercy Of the court, which
sentenced him 10 Imprisonment for life.
IL needs scarcely DO explained that
tho villain Smithcrs had found an OPP
portunity Of visiting Edgar Mortsn's
SOON in his absence and possessed him
self of the razor aud the articles of
clothing. After the commission Of the
murder he had returned TO the apart
ments and deposited the blood-stained
evidences Of bis crime, thus incriminat-
ing Edgar.
About a year after received an in-
vitation to the wedding Of Cecil Ran
dolph and Edgar Morton, who live most
happily together, and never cease thank
ing me that Edgar was saved by hair.