The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-11-24
Edmund ChalOneF'S Crime.
By JA1EER KNAPP REEVE
1895. by American Press Association.l
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(coNTNUED.)
When the captain arrived at New Or
leans, he first made out and forwarded to
the owners a full account of the loss Of
the Pelican. Then ne called at the Office
Of the chief Of police. His conference
with that official was long and animated.
Before its conclusion two of the oldest
detectives upon the force were brought
into the consultation.
There can be no question as to who
your man Is, said the chief finally. ''The
record is very straight. Twelve years
ago the Bunker Hill bank OF Boston lost
the sum of $4,000. The money was
taken from the vault after the bank had
been closed for the night. But two men
had access to the vault-Frederick Mel
son, the cashier, and Edmund Challoner,
the president"
Edmund ChallonerP' exclaimed the
captain.
Edmund ChaIlonerI That name was
upon the passenger list Of the Pelican. I
cannot remember''-
ga mere coincidence Of Names" said
the chief. "This Challoner was a man Of
the highest type Of irreproachable char
acter. It was said that he had the great
est confidence in Nelson, so much so that
when the loss was discovered he de-
manded that the accusation be made
equally against them both, as they each
had the same opportunity to take the
money. But before any arrests were
made Nelson had fled, and the crime
was fixed. The man Nelson" continued
the chief, twas traced to Mobile, where
he disappeared. The bank offered a re-
ward Of SIC, 900 for his capture. The re-
ward is still pending"
The captain got up and mopped his
face with his handkerchief. Ten thou
sand dollars was goodly sum for man
who had just lost his ship. And it was
almost within his grasp. The chiefs
Office seemed very close. What fool he
had been to come away and leave the
man there with every opportunity for
escape. He began to doubt if Abbott
had ever gone back to the island.
''See here" he exclaimed finally, ON
ing to the chief, 1--WE have no time to
lose. The man is bagged safely enough,
If he doesn't take the alarm, but we had
better move spry. So give me two of
your best men for this business, and I
will show you where he is, and we will
divide the reward"
Under such a spur the claws delays"
are easily brushed aside. A few hours
suficed to put good boat under way
for Captiva, with three men in her de-
termined upon Vindicating the majesty
of the law and securing the reward of
$4,000.
Meanwhile life went smoothly with
the three upon the island. The girl was
constantly surprised and delighted by
new discoveries, which showed how apt
~ Abbott had adapted himself to the
hermit life. The conditions were such
as forced them into much free intimacy,
and it was not in nature that she should
fail to become more than ordinarily in
terested in Abbott's personality.
Her father held aloof and seemed dis
trustful of Abbott, albeit he said nothing
to influence or prejudice her. This she
attributed to the fact that Abbott had
confessed himself suspected of a crime,
while not even asserting his innocence,
and that her father could not forget
this, even though tie man had saved theiI
lives.
One night the three sat long togethe1
benea III the skies talking in desultory
way. Abbott, drawn on by the girls
Questionings, had been telling of his life
on the island. how it had been so lonely
at first; then how he had grown to love
it and willing to remain there always;
then how the desire had grown to clear
his name from the shadow of the crime
which rested upon it and of the journey
back into the world which he had es-
sayed for that purpose; then how at
Vera Cruz he had veered suddenly about.
"Why did you not go on?" demanded
the girl.
because I CHANGED to see there the
only man living who knew whether ]
was innocent or guilty"
"Yes?' She breathed the question
softly, waiting for him to finish.
''And saw that it was better for one
to suffer than for many"
She reached out her hand in the dark
and touched his in quiet sympathy.
where is he now?"