The Globe-republican., 1892-05-09

But, like flash, the other wne0lo0 anO
dealt the detective blow that staggered
him.
Then the stranger darted away and
vanished in q passage between two
buildings.
Paxton pursued, but he did not over
take or even sight him.
EnraRed with himself at his want OF
caution in attempting the arrest, and
fully satisfied that he had q desperate
man to deal with, Paxton retraced his
steps.
All thought of the business which had
brought him to that locality was, fol
the time, banished from his mind, and
he fastened In the direction Of Jason
Garrison's Office, hoping to intercept
Marion Oakburn.
Meanwhile, after parting with hel
mysterious companion, Marion hurried
homeward.
She had reached the door and was
about to enter her home when Paxton
overlook her. The detective had resolved
upon q bold and determined course, and,
gliding forward, he placed his hand on
Marion's arm.
The girl turned with frightened ex-
clamation. and by reason OF his disguise,
she did not recognize Paxton.
Who are you, sir?" demanded Ma
rion, as she Indignantly confronted the
detective.
Il am your friend, Miss Oakburn. and
I am seeking to discover your father g
assassin. Tell me who the man was
whom you met tonight, and who es-
capped me?"
Marion leaned against the door and
her form trembled with agitation, but
she did not speak.
will you not answer me?" persisted
Paxton.
Still Marion was silent.
Paxton became impatient.
Il will tell you who the man you met
is. He is Donald Wayburn!" he cried,
suddenly. Il am Gerald Paxton" he
added.
He sought to surprise Marion into
some confirmation of his statement, II it
was the truth.
Il believe that man is your father g
murderer. Miss Oakburn, warn you
that the time has come when you should
explain the cause Of your mysterious
conduct since your fathers death. You
are venturing into peril, it may be. Will
you not save yourself! Will you not
trust me ?" the detective continued, as
Marion made no sign In confirmation OF
his statement that her recent companion 8
name was Donald Wayburn.
What is there in my conduct that you
regard as mysteriOus?" said Marion at
last.
This night meeting. Your having
given your Inheritance to Judith Kredge.
Your positive declaration that Harland
is an Innocent man, replied Paxton.
You wrong me cruelty. can explain
nothing; but, by my dead fathers men,
DRY, 1 swear that Donald Wayburn has
no knowledge of my fathers murder.
He is Innocent"
With these words she unlocked the
door and entered the house.
Now, indeed, is my cup of misery
filled to the brim. Too late I discover
that have made fatal mistake, but
cannot determine to abandon my pur-
pose yet, thought Marion, as she crept
to her room.
PaXlOn made no attempt to detaln
Marion, and as the evening was not far
advanced and he had concluded to
abandon the business which had taken
him out that night, for the present, he
proceeded to visit certain shops devoted
to the sale of curiosities in the way of
ancient coins, weapons, and the like. In
every shop he exhibited the bullet which
had caused John Oakburn's death, and
asked if they ever had pistol which the
ball would fit
In every instance the detective re-
ceived negative answer, until at last
he entered little shop whose proprie-
tor informed the detective that he had
sold an ancient air pistol provided with
such bullets as the one Paxton exhib-
tied.
Can you tell me the purchaser
tive clue to the solution of the mystery
was found at last.
Il keep a memorandum of purchasers
names and addresses when, instead OF
taking the goods with them at the time
of the sale, they order them to be sent
home. 1 believe l wrote the name OF
the man who bought the air pistol in my
book Yes, here it is" answered the
shOpkeeper.
Read it," cried Paxton breathlessly.
There was a surprise in store for him
he little dreamed Of.
CHAPTER XVI.
The proprietor of the curiosity shop
did not share the detectives excite
ment, and he very deliberately read the
following memorandum from his order.
book:
May sth. IS,
John Oakburn. No Wall Street, City,
One ancient air pistol S.
To be delivered to-day.
The name of the murdered man was
the very last one the detective antici-
pated hearing announced as that Of the
purchaser Of the air pistol, and he was
completely surprised.
Paxton had entertained the hope that
the fatal bullet which had Occasioned
the death of John Oakburn would serve
as an important clue in tracing the un.
fortunate mans assassin.
From the first it had been the de-
tective's purpose to trace the weapon
Of death to the assassin, by means Of
the bullet.
Now the purpose Of the man-trailel
was no longer possible to be executed
and the hope which the possession o.
the death-missile had given him was de
c<r0rod