The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-22

~ AXAY5 a young man I
an II counted among
su,,n,r<> ~<<><<LzSA~ my close friends
a private detec-
tive The two
of US were en-
joying a quiet
smoke and chat in his coy little Office
one day, when the door opened and
his boy ushered IN lady client She
was apparently under 20 and was
quite fashiona bly, attired. Her form
was tall and slender and her face ex-
ceedingly attractive. but it bore traces
of some sudden and Overwhelming af-
Fiction, for her eyes were red with
weeping.
'.Mr. Banks, the detective, I pre-
sume?" she queried. turning. after a
quick glance at me, to my more ma
ture companion.
AT your service, madam Pray be
seated"
II am IN sore trouble. sir" she
said, in tremulOus tones, applying her
handkerchief to her eyes. death
has suddenly robbed me of father,
and the prison-if nothing worse
threatens to take a dear cousin from
me-"
THAT is very sad" my friend said.
alphabetically but compose your
self, my dear lady; we may yet avert
the latter half of your trouble"
oh, sirl God grant that you may.
for my cousin, whom they suspect of
the murder of my poor ther. was to
be my husband" she the serious
ness of the case quite overcoming her
natural modesty. But he is inno-
cent; know it, I feel it. in spite of
the evidence against him. Oh, be
lieve me. sir, Harry is as innocent of
this dreadful deed as I aml'
Ny dear young LADY," said Banks,
encouragingly, '.before hearing the
first detail of your case I am con-
vinced that he is. My belief in fem
inlne intuition is based upon the
solid foundation of experience. Be
calm, therefore. and let me have the
story from the beginning:
The circumstances she related were
follows: Her father, Thomas
Kempton, was the proprietor of a
large furniture factory. He was
man who paid strict attention to bus
mess. and was in the habit of remain
ing in his Office after the factory had
closed for the night and the men had
departed, in order to finish up his
large correspondence
One of the clerks in his employ was
a nephew, fine young fellow, strong
of body and generous of heart. but
not free from the fOllies of youth.
Harry Stanton was a graduate of col
lege and a thorough athlet tie, and be-
ing yet scarce twenty. he had not
outgrown his youthful enthusiasm for
sports, clubs, and semi-incidentally
late suppers with the boys.
Now, the old are not always so toll
Grant Of the ways of the young as
recollection should make them, and
so it happened that the frequent
transgressions of the uncle's
Office rules by the nephew
caused between the two cOnsid-
cradle friction. On the evening of the
tragedy, there had been quite a seri-
Gus quarrel, and the young fellow had
left the presence of his employer IN
hotheaded haste and with angry
words.
One hour later, and half an hour
after the factory was closed, Mr..
Kempton was found murdered in his
private office. He was seated in his
chair, his head falling forward on the
desk before him. pocket knife had
been used to accomplish the deed. and
this lay on the floor in pool Of blood
at the murdered mans feet. On be-
ing cleansed and examined the fatal
weapon was instantly recognized by
the clerks as young Stanto
There was no Indication of strug-
gle; the blow had evidently been
struck from behind and with unerr-
ing aim had pierced the heart The
safe had been rifled of its valuable
contents, and there was evidence
that the assassin, in making his exit
through the general Office had stopped
to open Stanton's desk and remove
such things as the young fellow, in
making a permanent departure,
would be likely to take.
So much in substance had by inter
rogatory promptings been drawn from
the girl, when Banks said:
And now tell me what steps have
been taken
Poor papa's head clerk has en-
ployed a ective-a Mr.. Gregg, who,
after looking into the case. started off
in hot pursuit of my cousin, whom he
firmly believes to be the assassin -
''UmP' came from Banks, as he
gazed musingly into the fire. Then
young Stanton has disappeared?"
Yes; tits all a strange combination
of circums tances, but I trust, sir, you
still believe him innocent"
MY dear young lady, a profess
sional opinion based on the merits of
the case would be rather premature.
For the present, you must draw what
comfort you may from my faith in
shall proceed at once to the factory
in order to secure some further data
Kindly do so in my behalf. Mr..
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