The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1892-04-07

lied him back to New York city.
He thought of the exchange OF over
coats which he had made with his trav-
cling acquaintance, and muttered:
BY Jupiter! left the keys and the
wax impressions in my coat pocket. L
hope they will not be the means Of get
ting the young fellow with whom l ex-
changed coats into trouble"
When Stuart Harland alighted from
the railway train the officers who were
On the watch when the stranger whom
We have followed, leaped upon the plat
form, were still at their post.
Harland had not taken five steps,
when heavy hand fell upon his Shout
der, and as the light Of the policeman's
lantern was reflected full in his face,
the officer said, in a stern voice, as he
grasped the young mans arm:
You are my prisoner! l arrest you
an the charge of being a fugitive from
tusticei"
These two police officers were watch
ing for Stuart Harland, for to them PO-
lice Sergeant Smith had wired the young
mans description, and when they stop
ped the man who had taken Harland's
overcoat, they were on the alert for the
latter
Stuart Harland's surprise was un-
bounded, and he was indignant, as well.
What is the meaning of this outrage?
there is certainly some mistake!" he eX.
claimed.
In few words the police officers ac-
quainted him with the fact Of John Oak
burn murder, of which Sergeant Smiths
dispatch had informed them.
One of the officers added.
Ny instructions are simply to arrest
you and return you to New York City at
once"
Il suppose l must submit, but il you
will only permit me to visit the house of
a friend for a few moments, shall be
under obligations to you," said Stuart.
Impossible; the return train will
leave in ten minutes, replied the officer.
Stuart grOaned.
4 have had my journey for naught, :"
he muttered.
Then he thought of Marion Oakburn
and the singular circumstance that she
was in the brokers' office at midnight
He recalled her frightened manner, and
his mind was troubled.
The reflection as to how the public might
'construe his sudden night departure
made him nervous and apprehensive.
He was not skilled in the art of hiding
his emotions, and they betrayed what
was passing in his mind.
The officers who accompanied him
watched him closely, and they said be-
tween themselves:
This business troubles him. He looks
as though he were guilty"
Stuart never thought of examining
the strangers overcoat, which had came
into his possession as we have seen.
His surprise and CONSERVATION were,
therefore, quite genuine when the skele
ton keys and wax impressions were
taken from his pocket when he was
brought before the coroner.
In a few words after this discovery,
while the Coroner motioned to the man
who had last entered the brokers' Office
to be silent, Stuart explained how the
exchange Of OvercOats came about, as
we have related it.
But Stewards story was greeted with
a murmur Of incredulity, and it was clear
that it was not generally credited.
Harland observed this, and he turned
to the young clerk who had been one Of
his co-laborerS in the brokers' Office,
and said:
am sure no one of you would wish
TO impugn my veracity, and ask you to
say if you recognize this coat as mine.
II you do not see that it was never made
for me-.hat it is at least three sizes too
large
The brokers' clerks replied affirma-
lively, and expressed their conviction
that S:uarts word was not to be
doubted. This was certainly confirma-
fiOn OF Harland'S statement.
The Coroner now addressed the man
0ho had last entered.
That individual was Mr.. Pratt, Of the
firm Of Pratt & Weeks, who had ruined
Jason Garrison.
Pratt was portly, gross-looking man,
with black goatee, which owed its
color to dye, as did also his scanty hair.
He was bald, but this evidence Of age
was partially concealed by a skillful
arrangement Of the remnants Of his
colored locks. His features werc heavy
and sensual, but he had q smooth, in
sinuating manner, and always dressed
In the height Of fashion. But he wore
too much jewelry, and his garments
were inclined to be loud.
You wish to offer some evidence, sir"
said the coroner.
Yes, sir; as informed the officer at
the door, who thereupon Immediately
proclaimed the fact, much to my sur
prise.
Pratt was sworn and he said:
Having received the information at
my Office that young Har!and was under
arrest. charged with the murder Of John
Oakburn, deemed it my duty to appear
here TO give certain testimony, which il
seems to me will establish the fact, that
he was actuated by powerful motive
when he committed the crime. The
murder, no doubt, was but an unforeseen
incident of the robbery Of the safe
He paused, and at this iuncture the
stately old gentleman who had left the
Office after hearing the bankers COM
munication about the marked money,
re-entered, but he was unobserved, fol
Pratt was now the central figure OF the
assemblage.
The fact is, gentlemen, Stuart Har-
land has been indulging in specrlatiOns
far beyond his means, and, as he de-
ceived us regarding his financial status
he has become our debtor to the sum o.
ten thousand dollars. We were led tt