The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-01-04
morning cama Aoatiny In at the open

for an instant, involuntarily shivering,
but quickly overcoming this feeling OF
nervousness I entered.
Everything was exactly as we had left
it, even the gas burning lowly.
I turned it out. Then looked about
me to see whether could discover any
thing Of interest which might have es-
capped my observation before.
The curtain of the bed having been
drawn aside, the form of the dead doctor
was partially exposed to view.
Could these cold lips only speak, how
soon would they dispel the mystery and
either convict or acquit the fair girl on
whom this threatening shadow rested.
That wh4 impossible, but he might
tave left beSn him some written evil
dence Of the case that would enlighten
rs.
walked over to the ebony secretary,
on which stood the ormolu clock.
When I touched the key the desk
opened and I saw numerous drawers
and pigeon-holes filled with papers.
There was mine worth working, but
it was not for me to disturb aught. My
friend, Mr.. KetLham, would doubtless
attend to all this.
wandered over TO the window.
As I bent down discovered something
that brought d cry to my lips.
The window sill was painted white,
and upon IL could catch glimpse OF
the imprint of hand.
It was q dirty mark, as though the
person in climbing up the vines had
soiled the hands with the CRIME that
come upon them from time to time.
Surely this was a clew.
Examining the imprint closer saw
that portion of the forefnger was
missing.
While I was still examining this I
heard q low cough behind me, and turn
ing found Mr.. Ketcham there.
had NIT heard him enter.
doctor, this thing IS looking bad," he
said, solemnly.
SThen you have learned something,
sir?"
aYou remember examining the wound
in his breast?" jerking his thumb in the
direction Of the bed.
SYe2"
sWhat, in your opinion, was the style
Of weapon with which the deed was
done"
aAt the time said either a stiletto or
a Malay creese, as the wound had closed
again, making the hemorrhage internal. 1"
sDo you still hold to that opinion?"
u see no cause to change"
He produced something from his
pocket. ..
sHow would that fill the bill?"
saw at once it was Malay creese-
indeed, it could be nothing else with that
serpent-like shape.
Then I remembered where he had gone
when he parted from me.
@Great heavens, man, do you mean to
say you found that in her room?"
Eyes"
"This is terrible, terrible! Suppose we
try and see if it fits the wound"
II was about to propose that, Doctor.
It was not concealed, but lay upon her
table among several magazines and was
evidently used as a paper cutter. You
have practiced surgery-perform the
operation"
1t was not pleasant duty, but doc
tor shrinks not before such tasks.
I took the blade.
It seemed pretty toy, and yet the
point was sharp 10 a needle and the edge
keen. .-.'.
Even weak hand could use such q
weapon 70 advantage.
Instinctiyely I looked quickly along
the polished surface from point to hilt.
There was no sign Of blood upon It,
Then stepping over to the bed I put
my words into operation.
To my horror success greeted my
efforts.
The wound had been made by such
q blade as the creese.
sMr. Ketcham, it fits perfectly" I
said as drew the blade out and wiped
it upon piece OF paper.
A dry chuckle was my only answer.
Turning around I saw the old detective
had passed over to the window and was
bending down. to examine the same i'm.
print that had caught my eye.
I knew he would find it, and that 1t
was merely question Of time. Nothing
escaped his eyes.
"Ah! you have found a clew was
about to bring to your attention, SIR"
"And q very important one, too. You
see it is the left hand, for here is the
thumb, Half of the forefnger appears
to be missing"
aThen Leonore never climbed those
vines"
u never even thought she did. The
party whose hand rested upon this Sill,
came came up here intent on some other
business"
I Hooked at him in surprise. He had
way Of leading one to think ne meant
one thing until his end was attained,
and then he would veer around like
weather-vane at change OF the wind.
@The. finding of that tool below con-
yinces me that burglar climbed those
vines and even crawled into the room,
but that he left hastily as though
alarmed"
aAt, ,what?"
aPerhaps the coming of Leonore. II
this be so, that man, crouched just BE-
yond the window yonder, must have seen
the whole terrible drama acted"
His words fell like lead on my soul.
They showed me that he still suspected
the young girl through all
aSee here, sir, perhaps this burglar
was the party who took DR.. Seabury's
life."
1Knowing what we do, my friend, l
cannot believe it possible. The man did
not steal thing-evidence enough to me
that if there was a burglar among the
vines and possibly in the room early this
morning, ne was deferred from taking
away any of the silver scattered around,
through fear Of being suspected of the
graver crime, which perhaps would
arouse the people,"
"Well?"
II shall find the man. He has left q
splendid clew behind him. There will be