The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-08


IL very suddenly. i was running at tho
time. along little path that knew well,
and all ut once went plunging down. head
foremost, nine or ten feet into n cut. It's
n wonderland, as then thought, mer
cy-that didn't break my neck. Lately
I've had my doubts rs to whether II
wouldn't have been better for me II
had"
stow that, and paw out your yarn"
when | could collect my scattered
senses | found that / had cut two ugly
gashes in my head, upon sharp pointed
roots or stubs OF some sort, and had
sprained my left ankle so that II was ex-
ceedingiy painful for me 90 attempt TO
walk. While / sat there. thinking what
should do, little elderly gentleman, on
horseback. came along upon ths new road
into which had fallen. told him was
hurt. and no very kindly assisted me, first
20 fix up my head, giving me his handker-
chief 40 use with my own for the purpose,
and then TO got over 10 the beach. Hollis
was gone. The accident had delayed me
far beyond my time, and he. Of course,
supposed that | was not coming. When
! got my ankle in tho cool seawater II felt
better, but still | could not walk any dis
lance on IL. Just then small smack
came along, with en- old man and boy
in it-strangers to me-probably out on
some smuggling errand ana / oasred the
old man $40 10 take me over TO New Ha-
ven, which he accepted gladly The kind
little gentleman helped mo into the boat
and bede me goodnight, saying that he
bad yet 10 ride 10 Sag Harbor. We had
very little wind and IL was daylight when
the old man landed ms in Now Haven. i
had lost a good deal OF blood from the
cuts on my head, and felt half sick aud
drowsy from 1t, so that 1 slept nearly all
the time | was in the boat. And that's all
i can tell you about that night"
well, man alive, that's enough. All
we've got TO do Is 10 find the little gentle
man and the old man 10 prove that YOU
left the island before IL o'clock, for II was
after that hour that Jacob Van Deust was
murdered. That will show clearly enough
that whoever did kill him, at all eventB
you didn't and that's all We care about
just at present"
"Ahl If had the slightest idea of who
they were. But / never thought 10 ask
their names. and indeed didn't take much
notice OF anything; for. as L said, l was
dizzy. and half sicE, and drowsy, with the
loss OF blood 30 that even II they had
told ma who they we're / don't know that
l should have been able to remember IL
the old man was as | suppose, a SNUG.
ger, he would hardly be Likely to willingly
expose himself TO inconvenient question
ing IN court Old men arc cautious about
taxing such chances, especially for people
who are nothing TO them"
Can you give me a description OF the
little gentleman on horseback or tell me
anything about him that might lead to
his Identification ?"
'No. Only j remember no said no ives
a stranger, and knew nobody in tho neigh
borhood except the Van Deusts. The
way ne came 10 mention that was in talk
ing OF taking me somewhere"
Well, as he mentioned the Van Deusts
old Peter doubtless knows who ne ia Ali
Come TO think about IL, ne said nj the in
quest that his lawyer from New York had
called on him that evening. Why, it's all
plain sailing now. In 90 TO the old man
right away and ask him. and he'll tell me
who his lawyer Ia, and III 20 and see him.
and we have you out in a IiHy"
Lem. | cant tell you how / appreciate
your kindness and the trouble you are
taking in nay behalf"
Don't try 20. It's all right, / tell Won.
ou'd do the same for me; | know you
would. And i rather think l begin TO
like the job, knowing how II WILL spite
that old cusa, Deacon Harkins."
The remainder Of the young mems chat
at the cell door had no especial signif-
canoe or bearing upon the progress OF the
events Of our story, and NAV as well.
therefore, be omitted. Suffice il 20 saw.
that when they separated Dorm felt in.
finitely moro hopeful and cheerful than
he had before since his arrest, and Lem
bad far greater confidence in the result of
his novel undertaking OF detective work.
OF course Lem carried away with him
many loving messages 10 Mary, which
were, IN due time, faithfully delivered
through Ruth.
IL was late that evening whom the
young man reached his home for him to
call upon Peter Van Deust, but he went
up 70 the homestead under the elms the
next morning, at as early an hour as he
dared hoped to find anybody astir. He
found the lonely old man, already seated
upon the long benchaon the porch. in his
accustomed place, with HE pipe In his
mouth and his gaze turned toward the
sea; but the pipe had gone out unnoticed
| and the eyes saw nothing of the glory of
the dawn upon the ocean, for they were
blinded by tears that unconscionsly flied
them. Lem stood silently looking at him
for some moments, hesltatinR 10 speak,
and hoping to be noticed but the old man
/ tA1 hot seem 10 KNOW Lnat no WAS not
alone, until LENS voice, bidding him
Good morning." awoke him with start
from his reysrie. Then the start. with
which he had been recalled, extended
itself in a long fit OF nervous trembling.
and IL with a weak and uuavoring
voice that he responded TO his visitor 3
sanitation. IL was painful to see how the
unhappy man had broken down in the
little time that had passed since the death
ot mis- brother. Ii seemed 10 have added
at least ten years TO his age.
81 suppose, MIR. Van Deust, that YOU
! have heard OF Dorm Hackett's arrest" be-
gan the young man, after failure TO find
any other way than direct plunge to ar
rive at his subjoet.
yes. yes, | was told OF il yesterday.
| Dorm Hackett? Dorm Haekett? They
saw he used to live around here. but /
don't remember him. | suppose / used
20 know him. though. And he was raised
IN the neighborhood? IL seems strange
that any one who was raised near him,
and knew him. could ever have had the
/ heart TO kill Jacob. don't it2'
But. Mr.. Van Deust, maybe he didn't
do 1t at all. !"
Somebody did it; somebody climbed
| into his window and murdered him for
the sake OF little money Beat In bis
! skull and cut short his little remnant OF
/ life. just to get a few dollars. Oh il was
q cruel thing TO do, 10 kill that poor,
harmless, gentle. good old man. / wish
we had never heard Of that cursed fortune.
/ jacob would DO alive today II we hadn't. "