The Globe-republican., 1892-04-25

passage, and he knew that danger of
discovery was imminent
CHAPTER XII.
Above all things Paxton desired to
prevent the betrayal Of his presence to
Levi kredge and his sister, for he was
well aware that the moment suspected
man knew that he was the object Of sur
veillance the difficulty Of watching him
was increased tenfOld He did not wish
the janitOr to know that he was an OBJ
| ject of suspicion.
Remain where you are, the detective
whispered to Stanmore, and thus speak
ing he silently glided back along the
narrow passage to the street.
few feet from the entrance to the
passage he encountered a man who was
traversing it. He had produced his
pocket lantern, and its light revealed
the face of Kemp, the night watchman.
Hist" uttered the detective, warn
ingly, as the other was about to speak.
Il am in pursuit of information. Leave
the passage or you will spoil my plan
The watchman comprehended the
situation, and he instantly obeyed Pax
ton, gliding silently out to the street.
The detective crept back to Stanmore
The latter whispered:
In answer to his sisters question as
to how the murder of John Oakburn
profited him, heard Kredge reply, L
never tell tales out Of school, my dear
sister.
Again Paxton listened.
But now Levi Kredge dropped his
voice to whisper, as his sister did also,
and they conversed for a few moments
with great earnestness, though to his
chagrin the detective was unable to hear
q word.
But presently Levi elevated his voice
somewhat.
Paxton caught his words as he said:
We'll, l must be off; give her the
note"
Twill do So" answered Judith.
Paxton knew that Kredge would trav-
erse the passage, and seizing his COM
paniOn's arm he said:
Quick! We must get to the street
before we are discovered"
They swiftly and silently retraced
their way through the passage and
reached the arched door opposite where
Paxton had stood when he sighted
Kredge as he came out Of the office.
The janitOr soon came out upon the
street and hurried away.
Il shall not follow him now; I've an
idea we shall learn more by watching
hereabOuts 1 noticed a light in the
window at the rear of the house. Let
us creep back and take an observation
of Judith Kredge at home. suspect
Levi brought her a note for some one.
should like to be positive whether it
was for Marion Oakburn, as 1 naturally
suspect it must be, said Paxton.
They reached the rear Of Garrison's
Office again in few moments and crept
to a window through which the light
streamed, and which was in an apart
ment belonging to Oakburn's suite OF
rooms, though it was on the ground
floor.
Crouching beside the window the de-
rective and his companion peered into
the brilliantly lighted room beyond. A
glance told them that the apartment
served for a kitchen, and they saw
Marion Oakburn and Judith Kredge.
The cashiers daughter stood in the
center Of the room, listening with sur
prised and startled expression on her
pale features to something Judith
Kredge was telling her. But Paxton
could not hear a word that was spoken
in the apartment.
Presently Judith drew a letter from
her pocket, and handed it to Marion.
The latter hastily read the missive.
Then she said something in an excited |
way and cast the letter into the kitchen |
fire where it was instantly consumed.
Drawing photograph from her bosom |
Marion held it up for Judith to see, and |
Paxton and StanmOre both obtained an
excellent view Of the pictured face.
Stanmore staggered back from the |
window with an ejaculation Of surprise |
which Paxton feared would betray their |
presence.
AS for the detective he was never more |
surprised in all his life, but he betrayed |
little emotion, for he was used to sur |
prise and Injured to meeting with the |
unexpected.
There was the most excellent reason |
for astOnishment, however, for the pho |
tograph which Marion Oakburn had pro- |
duced was that Of a young man with |
light hair and mustache who had scar |
above one eyebrow.
Paxton and Stanmore believed they |
recognized the man who had exchanged |
overcoats with Stuart Harland, and |
whom they thought to be the assassin of |
Marion father.
Inc picture cOrreSpOnded perfectly |
with the description Of the unknown |
given by both Stuart and the night |
watchman.
What mystery is this? What re-
markable complication Of this strange |
crime have we stumbled upon now?"
muttered Paxton, and a food of sug- |
gestive thoughts permeated-filled his |
mind.
The daughter of the murdered man |
has the picture of the assassin. What |
can it mean?" whispered Stanmore.
1t is a perplexing puzzle. But see.
she replaces the photograph In her
bosom. She seems to treasure the pic |
ture of the supposed assassin. Can it be |
that she knows Of his connection with |
the murder of her father, and yet means |
to shield him. or is she ignorant Of what |