Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-07-05

it would be impossible for him to
do such deed"
What reason have. you for sus-
pecting that he is not Edgar's
friend?"
"Only this: Some time ago Con-
rad, whom we have always regarded
as one of the family, proposed for
my hand, and | told him it was not
mine to give. Isuspected as much,'
he muttered. And then, while his
face grew dark as night and his
features assumed an appearance per.
fectly fearful, he continued: But
you shall never become the wife of
Edgar Morton while | have life to
prevent it, He then turned and
abruptly left my presence. ! was
much alarmed and thought of
speaking to my father about it;
but during the afternoon he return
ed and begged my forgiveness for
the words he had 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. 81 know this fellow we'll
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,
rising and preparing to accompany
me, ''you will find everything as it
was when first discovered. The Of
ficer decided not to disturb anything
until after the inquest, which takes
place tomorrow forenoon"
Wrapping myself up in my great
coat, we set out; and, after a brisk
walk of ten minutes, reached the
handsome residence of my compan-
ion. was at once shown to the
room of the murdered 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 skillful
detective, and sometimes constitute
the most damaging evidence of
guilt. In this case, however, every
thing had been done in the most
skillful manner, and l could not
succeed in making any discovery.
| was about to leave the room in
despair when, glancing toward the
bed, l noticed what appeared to be
a slight scratch upon the neck of
the murdered man just above the
gaping wound which had so cruelty
let out his life's blood. On exami-
nation | found it to- be nothing
more than a hair, which had in
some manner probably become
loosened from the head of the as
sailant and had settled on the neck
of the victim, where it now lay, a.
silent yet truthful witness, pointing
out the guilty wretch to the eye of
justice. The hair was of deep red
color, which was totally unlike that
of any of the household. It was,
indeed, the same color and shade as
that of Conrad Smithers.
placed it carefully in my pocket
book, and, saying nothing to any
one Of my discovery, started for the
residence of Smithers, intent on do
ing a little acting. | found him, as
his attendant said, i'll in bed, and
on no account must he be disturb
ed.
"This sickness is but a stratagem,"
| thought, ITO divert suspicion"
Telling the woman | wanted to
see him but for moment on the
most urgent business, she finally re-
luctantly consented to my entrance.
| found him lying upon bed, ap-
parently in great pain. In my youth
| had studied, medicine, and was
consequently well informed in such
matters, and | saw at once, with a
quick glance, that he was only
feigning sickness. He started up
somewhat angrily as entered, but
! silenced him with motion of my
hand.
Conrad Smithers, this is des-
perate game you are playing, but it
will avail you nothing"
"What do you mean?" he ex-
claimed, springing to his feet, his
illness all gone.
II mean that the game is up, and
the murderer Of John Randolph is
discovered"
Thrown completely off his guard,
as had anticipated, he sank into a
chair, and burying his face in his