The Globe-republican., 1892-03-24

IeI8lQ T d4COu, tnc OeucCIAVo, WoS D
young and ambitious man. He had en-.
tered upon the profession in which we
find him engaged several years previous
to the occurrence of "the crime of a
brokers' Office" as the murder of John
Oakburn was designated, and he had
labOred with enthusiasm and met with
several successes which had attracted
attention to himself to such an extent
that he was regarded as a rising man.
But as yet he had not attained the en-
inence which his ambitien craved.
Paxton was ever on the alert to take
advantage of circumstances, and when
he left the brokers' Office after the in
vestigation he believed that he had at
last found case that might open great
future for himself and enable him to
win celebrity and eminence. He COM
pretended that in the case Of John Oak
burns murder all the elements of su-
preme interest were united-magnitude
of crime, mystery, uncertainty of issue,
and difficulty Of solution. In short, that
it was just such a case as he longed to
undertake, and he was filled with enthu-
siasm which aroused all his energies,
and made him feel the keenest anxiety
and hope.
He smiled as he thought how simple
the police sergeant regarded the whole
affair, and how readily he had jumped to
q solution Of the whole matter
Circumstances may still further i'm
plicate Stuart Harland, but have en-
barked in the case with the assumption
of his innocence, which I shall under
take to establish in the face of all the
circumstantiai evidence that may be
brought against him, and shall sue
ceed," muttered Paxton, In q tone Of
conviction.
His faith was firm, his determination
indOmitable, and the possibility of fail
ure he was never inclined to admit.
He had not concluded his investiga-
ton, although it was his policy to con-
ceal this fact from the police sergeant.
After walking a block or SO in COM
pany with the officer of the police and
his companions, Paxton turned down
q side street, made a detOur, and,
doubling on his own tracks, he returned
to the brokers' office.
Stealthily, as though he wished to
conceal his presence from the two Of
ffcers who were on guard in the Office,
Paxton entered the passage between the
Office and the adjoining building and
proceeded to critically inspect the ground
under the window in the rear compart-
ment of the Office.
The night was doubly dark in the mar
row passage where the shadows are
dense and black, and the detective was
Obliged to produce his pocket lantern,
which was Of the bull ls-eye type, in order
to inspect the ground in a satisfactory
manner.
The result was discovery.
The imprints of a mans feet were dis
covered in the ground beneath the win
dow, where the earth was soft and yield
ing owing to a thaw.
The impressions were quite distinct,
and the print of double row of nails,
which must have studded the sole of the
boots or shoes which had made the
tracks were quite clearly defined. Pax
ton also detected certain marks OF abra
siOns Of the paint on the side of the
building under the window, which had
undoubtedly been made by some one
who had climbed up to it.
He caught the window-sill, and with a
firm grasp drew himself up to the win
dow, which he examined, making the
further discovery that there were GER
tain marks under the edge Of the shut
fers.
( Il was not in error. This window was
opened from the outside and not from
the inside, as our worthy police sergeant
SO positively affirmed. 1 see plainly
where an iron bar was forced under the
shutter to pry off the fastening. Yes,
the assassin entered from the outside
20
himself, in satisfied tone.
He let himself down from the window
again and having once more carefully
inspected the track under it he procured
q piece of board which chanced to be at
hand, and covered them so as to preserve
them from Obliteration.
He understood the value Of such mute
evidences as these, and he never neg
lected any precaution which might event.
uate to his advantage.
With the certitude Of the truth OF q
positive theory which he had formed for
. basis, he proceeded to erect q super
structure intended to sustain his hy-
pothesis and convince others of its
truth.
Revolving in his mind van US con-
lectures and possibilities suggested by
his discoveries, Paxton repaired to his
own apartments.
Before retiring, however, he made
from memory a very exact diagram Of
the premises where the murder had been
committed.
If Stuart Harland was to be placed in
peril of his life by reason Of John Oak
burns murder. he had in Gerald Paxton
q defender whose services would prove
invaluable-one who feared not to enter
the lists against any opponent.
The following morning the crime was
made known to the public through the
newspapers and there was much excite
ment on Wall street and throughout the
city. The street In the immediate neigh
borhood Of the brokers' of1ce was
thronged with an eager and excited null
titude, and morbid curiosity, to view the
remains Of the victim of the tragedy i'm
PEELED many to seek an entrance. But
the policemen on guard permitted no
one to enter.
At nine o'clock a. m. the coroner, his
clerk, number of police officers, includ-
ing the sergeant who had accused Stuart
Harland, and Paxton, the detective, ar
rived, and entered the odice.
NJ nerrioon and his Nlarka nroaoufnj