The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-01-11
WEIRD MYSTERY
Tracing a Dark Crime.
BY ALEXANDER ROBINSON, M. D.
CHAPTER VIII.

out upon tie dreary day.
It had commenced to rain, and the
drip Of the water from the trees in the
garden made dismal picture, in keep
ing with the afliction that had visited
this house.
As I entered she turned quickly, and
seemed somewhat relieved when she
found it was myself.
doctor, are those people gomez" she
asked
~Yes, Miss Leonore. That was the
Coroner and his jury very necessary
infection in cases Of this kind.
~Yss, know. What was the verdict,
'Doctor?" -.
She was wonderfully calm and self
possessed. I could not but notice this
fact
sThey decided that DR.. Seabury came
to his death by poison, administered
with his own hand"
Watching her face closely I could nos
see that she experienced any emotion.
Her features we're calm as the summer
sky. ...... -.
aWhen can look upon my poor old
friend?"
Her words relieved me from duty I
did not like
snow If you desire. Are you capat le
of standing the shock?"
~Do not fear for me; I am stronger
than you imagine. Win you 60 up with
me, Doctor2n ...
II have little writing to do connected
with the case. So with your permission
/ will remain here until you come down. 1"
So saying, I seated myself at deck
and began to examine the phi I had
taken from the dead mans hand, q the
same time drawing writing paper to me.
z This phial was an odd littl, thing, made
of Crystal, to all appearances.
II. had been buried in the tombs OF the
pyramids for thousands Of years, and no
doubt might have aroused a fever of In
terest in the breast Of a man like Doctor
Schliemann.
o., Leonore had left the room.
e.. ! realized what q shrewd trick this was
on the part Of the old detective, and dis
pleasing as the idea was to me, could
not forget that his aims we're justice it
SELL
The innocent would never suffer at the
hands Of Abner Ketcham, anS II guilty
It was only the right thing that they
.6QOulQ % DIOuSu1 W euc DoA'
I commenced my writing.
Some time passed by. So nervous hao
become that it was with difficulty that
kept at my work.
At last heard the rustic Of skirts on
the stairs. When Leonore entered the
library I was folding up what I had
written, around the ancient phial.
looked up into her face. Unless my
eyes deceived me there were traces OF
tears there .n.... ... .
There rushed upon me mad desire to
console her-to pour out burning words
Of regret ut her lonely situation, and to
offer my services in any manner accept
able; but wisely I restrained myself.
She was yet under the ban OF sus'
picion.
Much as I believed firmly in her inno-
cepce, it had not yet been clearly proven,
and there were some things that needed
the closest investigation.
now desired to see Mr.. Ketcham.
To do so, / must go upstairs again.
In looking around for my hat, found
that had left it in the chamber above,
and leaving Leonore, ascended.
I found Mr.. Ketcham standing
shoughtiully by the window. He turned
as l entered the room, and although
looked eagerly In his face, was baf1ed.
aClose the door and sit down, Doctor. "
His words, innocent in themselves,
sent chill through my heart They
meant that he had discovered something
worth while repeating to me.
Being deeply interested in the case, l
could rot do otherwise than listen,
eagerly. ...
sWhen Leonore entered the room, she
stood right there for minute with her
hards clasped, her eyes glued upon the
bel and! that motionless figure.
sThen she seemed to break the spell
TINT bound her, and gliding forward fell
. op her knees beside the dead.
doctor, I have in my time looked up
on some strange sights, but never one
quite equal to that, where q girl we be-
iicve guilty Of murder bends over the
form Of her aged victim, and fondles his
hand"
could not restrain cry.
sShe is innocent, sir. A guilty soul
would turn from such sight in terror
Why the dead must even arise to con-
denim her did she dare DO that"
@Listen!"
! calmed myself under his magnetic
eye, and waited to hear more.
: The quiet assurance Of his manner
gave me warning that in some way
Leonore had not improved her case by
the visit she had made to the death bed.
3She remained there, apparently con-
yulsed with grief, and yet uttering no
sound.
aTban T eaw her raise her head and
clasp her hands coDvulsively, while she
gazed down upon the body.
~Words fell from her lips. They
reached my ears, and were treasured
every one as having decided bearing on
the case.
GThis was exactly what she said,
breathing the words in apparent deep
emotion:
GsMy poor, murdered guardy, to think
that It has come at last, that which you
have feared 80 long. Heaven forgive me
for haips thn @, nee Of it ALL
Kaxto- q fit Of sob.
bink. 1hls lasted UuJ short time,
however, and Leonore became herself
again.
sShe bent over and kissed the cold lips
of the dead, then left the room.
! could sit still no longer.
DO you mean to say, Sir, the girl who
could be guilty Of such base crime
would act in that manner?"
sWait! I neither condemn nor acquit
until the returns are all in. / simply
say that, according to the evidence, 1t
looks black for Leonore.
Remember, Doctor, the peculiar cir
mao nnIor wbinh tho Cjrl rom.