The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-01-18
You have seen Leonore?" he asked,


ayes"
@And she sent you to me?"
l could hardly say that, and yet he
must be led to believe something this
way.
@You see am here"
"For what?"
@As I said before, I seek to have an
interview with you. Will you 60 with
me to some quiet restaurant where we
can talk without being overheard?"
"Why not 60 back to my room?"
"Thas would do, only do not know
who else you have in the house"
His lip curled as though he believed I
was cctuallv afraid when ny inquiry
was directed merely through a desire for
secrecy.
"There Is only On old widow lady in the
house. have room there. She is deaf
as an adder and can hear nothing"
awe could not find better place. ]
will 60 back with you, Mr.. Parker" :.
As turned and walked away with him
my heart beat high. At last could see
a fair prospect Of reaching the end I
had in view.
Theodore Parker would be obliged 10
confess what he knew of the murder, for
I meant to pin him down with questions
that he could not evade.
he opened the door with night-key
and led the way along hall; at the end
was door which he opened.
now found myself in a coy room,
comfortably furnished.
Theodore motioned toward chair.
@Make yourself comfortable, SIR"
When l sat down, managed it so that
the light from the window should be
upon the face of my vis-a-vis, while my
own was in shadow"
His hand was trembling, and I could
see that he awaited my speaking with
great deal Of subdued excitement.
A great question was before me. ]
looked at his left hand, and saw that the
upper half OF his forefnger was gone.
This was positive proof in one way.
To all appearances the crime now lay
between Leonore and Theodore. Which
could believe the guilty party?
Already iu my mind I had acquitted
the girl; hence, this man must be the one
whose frenzied hate had buried the blade
In the heart Of the old Doctor. !.
To beard murderer in his den Is nc
play. 1t must not be supposed that ]
had come here unprepared for an emer.
gency. r.-
Safely hidden in my pocket was reli'
able revolver. knew how to use it, too,
and more than once in my researches in
the Holy Land and in the old countries
of Europe had found it a faithful and
efficient friend.
could reach it with one quick move.
ment should the occasion demand such
action on my part.
Theodore waited for me to speak. OF
course did mot mean to jump at the
question in the start. believed in lead.
ing refractory horse gently.
"Mr. Parker, Of course you have heard
the news?" N
"News, sir! what news?'
~Dr. Sesbury is dead!"
@What!"
The word burst from him like pistol
shot ...
His face became white as chalk, and
thought the man was about tofsint; but
he recovered himself with an effort, and
even controlled his voice.
"Will you repeat that, sir?"
"Dr. Seabury Is dead"
"When did this terrible event hap
pen?"
"Early this morning, at ten minute,
after 2" =,
"You are precise. All! l recollect-
you are physician-you were called In.
Did she-Leonore send you for me?"
This was spoken naturally enough, but
It did not Deceive me. I knew that the
man who could commit such fearfu!
crime could act his part in covering IL
up.
At the same time, I meant to keep hin
on the rack, giving him no rest until the
final charge was sent home.
@Leonore did not send me, though II
was partly for her sake I came hsre
DIR. Seabury did not die under my charge
When he breathed his last, so far as we
know, he was alone"
was surprised to hear the young man
groan aloud.
Surely he was acting his part to per
lection.
@Tell me about it, Doctor"
sYou appear deeply interested"
His eyes famed up.
81 have right to be-"
@That is so," ! said, meaningly; bu!
he did not appear to see the undertone.
aIf no one was with him when he
passed away, how can you affirm that he
died at ten minutes past two, Doctor?"
II shall have to tell you something OF
the story, SIR AS l said before, l am
doctor, and, like the deceased, made a
specially of the science Vt tox!cology.
"About half-past two this morning ]
was aroused from nap which had been
enjoying upon my sofa by a knock at
the door.
"Opening it, I found there Abnei
Ketcham, one of the best OF New Yois
detectives.
"He said he required my services, aud
as we were friends I entered carriage
and rode with him to Dr.. Seabury's
house.
@There I found the old Doctor lying
dead, and at the request Of my friend ]
examined small phiai which the dead
man held in his hand
at contained a terrible poison, found
in tomb in the Egyptian pyramids"
HE committed suicide, then?"
There was an air of relief IN the voice
of the other, as he put this question,
which could not fail to cStcb.
1t was as though he suddenly saw an
avenue of escape looming up.
$50 I thought when saw that phial,
and discovered that part Of the con-
tents had passed his lips, for it was
deadly poison, and would bring q COL
lapse within ten minutes after being
taken"
"How came your friend the detective
on hand, Doctor"
"Tbat concerns another part of 1t. The