The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1892-03-31


deepest interest, and as she compre-
hended that the suspicion against him
seemed destined to bring him into
deadly peril, although they had hereto
fore been but passing acquaintances,
which led into the unexplored future
had been woven together by mystic
fatality without the knowledge Of either.
The cashiers daughter was not a
fatalist; but she could not think that the
singular combination Of events which
had recently transpired had come about
by mere chance.
In view Of all the circumstances Of
this case, order that Stuart Harland be
searched.
Officer Smith, you will attend to this
matter" said the coroner, addressing
the police sergeant.
A hot flush mantled Stuart Harland' S
face.
What! Am to be subjected to this
indignity, as though I were common
thief" he exclaimed.
Justice is no respecter of persons. In
quest of truth, she seeks for informa-
ton everywhere. If need be, she enters
the sacred precincts Of the cloister. No
man is exempt from her search" an
swered the coroner, impressively.
$50 be it then. Let this farce con-
tinue to the end" and he bowed his
head.
The officer named came forward and
proceeded to search him.
He first examined Stuart's overcoat
pockets, and Stuart assisted him, saying
confidently:
You will find nothing to reward you. )"
I'VE shall see, answered Police Ser
geant Smith, gruf1y.
Presently, the officer thrust his hand in
to the inside pocket Of the young mans
overcoat and drew out number Of wax
Impressions Of locks and skeleton keys.
He held them up to the sight Of all,
exclaiming:
Il thought so. Here is the proof we
were in search of"
Stuart Harland staggered like one sud-
denly seized with an overwhelming
vertigo.
This is fate! I had forgotten about
the cast; I am lost!" he exclaimed,
scarcely knowing what he said.
This last startling discovery produced
a profound sensation and the greatest
excitement.
Mr.. Garrison was like one stunned by
a heavy blow.
Marion Oakburn, with her hands
clasped upon her heart. and an agOnized
look in her eyes, covered in her chair.
Paxon was absolutely amazed.
Had q thunderbOlt descended at his
feet the detective could not have been
more Disconnected.
Here it seemed was the positive evil
dence Of the guilt of the man for whose
innocence he had vouched in the strong
est terms.
The detectives prOphesied opinion
seemed to be proven worthless before all
the assemblage, and he felt abashed,
Inundated and defeated.
The police sergeant was exultant.
who was right, friend Paxton?" he
said jeeringly. What has become of all
your fine theory of this mans innocence?
l grant you it was stupid for him to run
away as he did after committing the
crime, but his conduct was not without
precedent. The great VidOcq used to
explain the stupidity of certain crimes
committed by men Of superior intelli-
gence, by saying that they act under the
influence of a kind of vertigo. That they
become dazed after the crimes"
Quite true, recollect the theory, but
mark my words your suspicion is all
wrong despite its apparent confirmation.
The mystery Of John Oakburn's fate is
still as far from being solved as ever,
said Paxton in reply, but he could not
avoid betraying some of the discontinue
which the last denOuement had occasion
ed him.
Stuart Harland regained his COM
posture to some extent in a moment or
so, and he muttered:
This Is destiny. The immutable law
Of bad luck is not to be abrogated. It
follows me throughout this entire unfor-
tunate affair"
Aloud he said:
Il believe that I can convince you that
was entirely ignorant that the articles
just discovered were in my possession.
"One moment, sir, and we will hear
you, answered the coroner, and taking
the skeleton keys from the police SER
geant he tried one of them in the safe.
The key entered the lock, but it would
not move the bolt The other keys were
made for the door locks, and turning to
the office door he tried one of them, find
ing that it fitted the lock perfectly. He
tried the other key in the lock of the
street door and found that it also was a
perfect fit. That the door could be
locked and unlocked by means of it with
ease.
The coroner then examined the wax
impressions and found that they had
been taken from the locks Of the street
door, the office door and the safe.
"Ah," said the coroner, refectively.
"the intricate mechanism of the safe
lock resisted the skeleton key, and SO it
was necessary that the robber should
have the key John Oakburn carried"
But what need had Stuart Harland Of
skeleton key to the front door," ven-
tured Paxton, suggestively.
The coroner shook his head dOubtfully,
and turning to Stuart again he noted
that there was a marked decadence in
his manner from the confident cir he
had worn when he entered the Office.
You may proceed with your state
ment now" the official said.
Thank you. sir, will tell you how it
is that those eliminating keys and the
Impressions of the locks must have come
into my possession without my knowl-