Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-07-07


their plans for a long time, and before
the money-lender left plan had been
arranged whereby rStanmore, as wekshall
continue to designate him, hoped tohat-
tain the fruition of his hope, andiget
Pratt and Weeks inlhis power.
What StanmOre'sN plan was we shall
presently see. .
Meanwhile, on the evening which wit l
messed the interview between 'Stanmores
and Abraham Ben aman, whenthe latter
told his friend Of Pratt's propositions
about the marked money, Paxton re-
ceived a note from the Chief OF, Police,
requesting him TO call at histOfiice at
once.
The detective fastened to comply
with the request, and when he tarrived
at the chiefs office, he was informed by
that official that he had just received
notice that a man who was dying at
charity hospital desired to make cont
fession to him relating ito tho Oakburni
murder. -.
ested in anything promising information
on this subject, and SO sent Tor you.
VIII you accompany me to the hospital?
am going at once" said the CHIEF
OF course Paxton answered afiirma-
lively.
The detective and the chief. repaired
TO the hospital without further delay.
once conducted to the ward in which
lay the dying man who wished to'make
confession.
Intensely Interested and excited at
the prospect Of an immediate explana-
ton of the mystery which had so long
baffied him, Paxton listened to the con-
fession made by the dying man, while a
clerk of the hospital recorded, it in writ.
ing: -.
janitOr at the office of Jason Garrison,
where John Oakburn. the old cashier,
was murdered" began the man
Paxton started as he heard him men
ton the name of the ianitor attthe very
outset.
ION the night of the ,mupder, con-
tinued the man who was making the
confession, at about l O'Clock, l saw
Levi Kredge get out OF the side window
of Garrison S office. 1 had, lodged into
She passage between the two buildings
TO escape the observation OF a party
whom / wished TO avoid, when i saw
Levi 1 accosted Levi when heicame-
out of the passage upon the street. y
told him 1 had seen him get out or the
office, and he was terribly alarmed
The dying man paused, and atterf u
few moments he continued:
~Kredge begged me not to tell Sof his
being in the Office, and he offered me u
thousand dollars if 1 would swear Ito
keep his secret. l agreed, for 1 am u
poor man, and a thousand dollars
seemed like large sum to me. Until
now 1 have kept my promise OF seenecy,
but could not make up my mind TO die
without telling all this for L feared that
young Harland might yet be convicted
of the crime. 1t is my conviction that
Levi Kredge murdered John Oakburn. y
This was the mans confession, and
when it had been read to him he was
lifted up in his couch, and he signed it.
OF course Paxton was not In the least
surprised to learn that kredge was in
GarrisOn's Office on the night or the
murder, for he had, as we know, long
since concluded that the ianitOr made
the tell-tale tracks under the Office win
dow.
1t puzzled the detective t. decide what
part the man whom Pratt Weeks
called ~Garnar" had in the crime.
Whether he was principal or contede cate
he could not say.
Paxton informed Stanmore and
Stuart Harland of the confession, and
their satisfaction at the news may be
imagined.
Ihad faith to believe that my inno-
cence would be proven" said Stuart
Now should Judith Kredge accuse
Marion publicly. her denunciation will
be harmless, since we may regard the
proof against Kredge sufficient to cos
vince any jury" said StanmOre, who
thought only of MNrion's safety.
With the confession of the mar
whom he bribed to secrecy in my pos
session, 1 shall visit Levi hredge, anG,
think this time 1 shall be able t.
brighten him into confession" fsaiC
Paxton.
The detective reasoned from what ht
knew of the character of Levi Kredge
that, il he was not the principal in the
crime of the brokers' office, he would
now see that there was no hope for him
and he would try to save himself by
turning states evidence.
Paxton had the confession Oft the mar
who had seen Kredge leave the brokers'
Office through the window in his pocket
and he forthwith repaired to the Tombs
and was admitted to Kredge's cell.
The janitor seemed surprised at Pax
toms visit, and he scented danger
We'll, Levi, here am again, you see
and have a little surprise for you,
said the detective, cheernlly.
What now? Has not Judiths con
fession convinced you Of my innocenc,
of Oakburn's murder?" demanded
Kredge.
~I'll be frank with you, Levi dom
for a moment think that Marion ha,
anything to do with her father simurder,
answed Paxton.
And you still suspect me?"
Certainly"
Kredge made the transit'of his eel
several times, and flnallylhe said, in
fierce, desperate tone:
Well, what are you going to d
about it?'
You can Judge Of that for yoursel
when you have heard the contents O
this document which have brought wit
me to read to you.
Thus answered Paxton calmly, and h
drew from his pocket the confession o
the man whom kredge had bribed t
keep his secret.
The prisoner watched him with al
anxious expression on his evil face.
Probably the wretch had suspicion
OF what was coming.
He staggered across the cell, and san
down upon an iron cot.
Deliberately the detective unfOlde
the confession, and in a slow, distinc
voice he read it through.
Kredge did not interrupt him.
When the detective concluded tn
reading of the confession, which viz
tually accused the janitOr, the latter di
not utter word, but white and CHASTITY
he sat staring at the floor as thong
stricken dumb and motionless.
What dOyOu say to that. Levi" aske
Paxton, presently.
1t was a moment before Kredge an
swered.
CHAPTER ,1xxIu.
When at last Levi Kredge spoke. b
said, in a fierce, sullen way:
won't talk. You can't make me
Leave me, you human bloodhound"
So you want me TO leave you, ell
You want time to reflect, I see. You ar