The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-01-11

had climbed the'vines, bent upon plum
der, and who had been concerned In some
way with the crime.
Whether Theodore Parker would
prove woman in disguise could not tell
yet, but I felt sure that when l found
him the identity of the man with the
marked hand would be fully established.
put the letter in my pocket, for had
already seen there was an inclosure OF
some sort in the envelope.
Then I sought the officer, from whom
learned the address of the policeman
whose beat took in DR.. Seabury's place.
In twenty minutes was rapping on
the door OF neat little house.
A tidy wife opened the door and ush-
cred me into the parlor, while she went
to call her husband, who was asleep.
Presently he put in an appearance.
I saw he was q good-natured' fellow,
and at once apologized for disturbing
him. ...
Without much waste Of time, I told
him about the suicide Of Dr. Seabury,
and the fact that burglary had been
attempted the same night. ..s
3What 1 want to know, Deasley, 10
whether you saw any suspicious charac-
ters in the vicinity that night"
He shook his head.
1--WE see lots of 'em at all hours, so l
can't exactly say as how there was more
on last night than any other time"
think; was there any who seemed to
hover about the Seabury placer"
aNow that You mention 1t, my pard
and me did see fellow near the wall,
a-dodging along, but we didn't pay any
attention to him."
"Why?" ..r.
"Weil, we'd seen him more than once
in that place, and understood that he
was in love with old Seabury's gal, and
that the Doctor was down on him."
"Where did you get that impressionP"
~Can't say, exactly. Might have come
from my pard, who's q great hand at
reading stories. Anyhow, he kinder
sympathized with the feller, who was
good-lsoking young chap We never
bothered him." -, -.
aThen you have seen his face?"
"Often, SIR"
aWhat kind OF looking man was
he?"
He assumed reflective air.
II reckon he had bright eyes, blue,
think they were, and wore full yellow
beard. When his cap was off I saw that
hisshair in front stood straight up, and
that his forehead was more square an
wIite than. any ! ever set eye on"
The words OF the policeman gave Inc 9
severe start. I thought Of picture I
had seen in DR.. Seabury's chamber,
turned face to the wall in dark corner.
True, that had been the head OF a
young boy, bright and keen, but It had
possessed the same popularity OF yellow
hair spoken Of by the night patrol.
Instantly there flashed across my
mind the conviction that I might dis
cover some connection between the
would-be burglar aid possible murderer
and the original of the picture that was
turned to the wall.
More plainly, then, a new vista seemed
opening before me.
was delighted with my success thus
isr, and would not feel ashamed to meet
Mr.. Ketcham when ! went to report my
progress in the game.
Perhaps the man could establish one
more link in the chain for me.
aTell me, my friend, have you ever
been close enough to see this mans
hands?"
@Oh, yes, SIR"
aWas there anything peculiar about
them?" -...
aWell, no, sir, except noticed one Of
his fingers was gone" ..
Indeed! From which hand?"
he reflected q moment.
"The left, SIR" .....
"You are sure OF that?"
u can swear to 1t. I remember he
was leaning against the wall one night
when we passed him, and his left hand
was up against the stones. The light
from street lamp showed US his hand
plain ss day, and Bill. he's my psrd, you
know, be spoke Of it afterward."
1nad no more to say. ...
The case was assuming such propor-
tions that really wished for the assist
ance of Mr.. Ketcham, but the time had
not yet arrived for me to seek him.
would try and find clew to the
whereabouts Of Theodore Parker.
/ Perhaps the letter I had found would
aid me. .,
fro RE CONTINUED