The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-03-31

TO prevent it, He then turned and
abruptly left my presence. was much
alarmed and thought Of speaking to my
father about it, but during the after
noon he returned and begged my forgive
ness for the words he had used, and made
such professions Of sorrow in regard to
them that freely forgave him, and have
since thought no more OF the matter"
1.-THE fact is quite clear to me-" said.
81 know this fellow well and the sort Of
company he keeps, and shall not be
surprised to find that he committed the
murder. Now, then, want to see the
body Of your father and the room in
which the deed was done"
"Well, Mr.. Ferguson she said, rising
and preparing to accompany me, lyon
will find everything as it was when first
discovered. The officer decided not to
disturb anything until after the inquest,
which takes place tomorrow forenoon"
Wrapping myself up in my greatcoat
we set ont, and after a brisk walk Of ten
minutes reached the handsome residence
Of my companion. was at once shown
to the room OF the murdered man, and
then began making such an examination
as only detective knows how to make.
Circumstances OF the most trivial char
acter, which would be overlooked by an
ignorant person, are often seized upon
by a slsillful detective, and sometimes
constitute the most damaging evidence
Of guilt. In this case, however, every
thing had been done in the most skillful
manner and could not succeed in max
ing any discovery.
was about to leave the room in de-
spair when, glancing toward the bed, /
noticed what appeared to be slight
scratch on the neck Of the murdered man
just above the gaping wound which had
80 cruelty let out his life's blood. On ex-
animation found it to be nothing more
than hair, which had in some manner
probably become loosened from the head
of the assassin and had settled on the
neck of the victim, where it now lay, a
silent yet truthful witness, pointing out
the guilty wretch to the eye of justice.
The hair was of deep red color, which
was totally unlike that of any of the
household. 1t was, indeed, the same color
and shade as that of Conrad Smithers.
Iplaced it carefully in my pocketbook,
and saying nothing to any one Of my
discovery, started for the residence of
Smithers, intent on doing little acting.
found him, as his attendant said, Ill in
bed and on no account must he be dis.
turbed.
"This sickness is but a stratagem.
thought. ''to divert suspicion.
Telling the woman that wanted to see
him but for u moment on the most ur-
gent business, she finally reluctantly con
sented to my entrance found him
lying upon bed, apparently in great
pain, In my youth had studied medi
cine and was consequently well Informed
in such matters, and saw at once with &
quick glance that he was only feigninl
sickness. He started up somewhat an
grily us ! entered, but | silenced hin
with u motion of my head.
Conrad Smithers, this is desperate
game you are playing, but it will avail
you nothing"
"What do you meang" he exclaimed
springing to his feet, his illness all gone
~ mean that the game is up and tn,
murderer Of John Randolph is discov
cred"
Thrown completely off his guard, as
had anticipated. he sank into a chair
and burying his lice in his hands sobbet
out, Lost! LOST
"Do you confess the murder, then?"
4 Il do,' he answered, ''now that con
cealment is no longer of use. =
| took him at once into custody ant
soon had the satisfaction Of seeing hin
change places with Edgar Morton.
Conrad Smithers was tried for tn
murder and, knowing that any defens'
would be useless after his confession t.
me, he pleaded guilty and threw himsel
upon the mercy of the court, which sen
fenced him to Imprisonment for life.
1t needs scarcely to be explained tina
the villain Smithers had found an oppor
tunity of visiting Edgar Morton's room
in his absence and possessed himself o
the razor and the articles of clothing
After the commission Of the murder h
had returned to the apartment and de
posted the blood stained evidences O
his crime, thus discriminating Edgar.
About a year after ! received an inv
tation to the wedding Of Cecil Randolph
and Edgar Morton, who live most har
PLY together and never ceased thanldn
me that Edgar was saved by hair
New York Evening World.