Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-06-22
CHAPTER XVI.

surged In my excited mind; "Dr. Sea-
burys SOM"
CHAPTER XXVI
The astounding revelation of the burg
lar unnamed me. ! stared at him in
dismay. seemed in a flash to glance at
the truth and guess at all the motives
underlying its workings.
That truth represented the certain
confirmation Of past saSpicione. Ih""-
doro Parker. alias Theodore Seabiry,
had deceived me. He had affirmed that
bo had not witnessed the murder OF his
father, and here was credible because
An accidental witness who disputed and
disproved his false statement.
Again came another complication.
Neither of these men had taken hand
in the killing of DR.. Seabury. l felt sure
of it, l believed every word that Cain
spoke.
Confronted on the wtness-stand, one
would surely acquit the other and JUS
ticc would be forced to credit them
Only each would be forced to explain
the motives that had brought them to
the tragic scene.
And tell the name Of the real murderer
Of DR.. Seabury. =.
Who was it that had done this deed OF
blood?
My brain reclcd, my heart waS chilled
as thought of it.
dared not trust myself to lingcr with
these overpowerng emotions that pos
sesscd me with Cain watching me pche-
tratingly.
"Como," said, arising to my feet, "we
must leave here"
He scowled dreadfully.
"Leavo hcrc?" be repeated, vaguely
suspiciously.
"Ycs"
"Where fOr?'
"Never mind that, Colonel CAIN" |
said. "You cannot dream how interest
cd am in all this strange case. ! have
been helped enlightened by you. | owe
You my gratitude. | shall prove It to
you. | want you to come with me to my
Office"
Cain started
ado you comprehend what that means
for me?" he answered.
"NO."
"Recogniton on the public street, il
we met police officer"
ave must evade them"
"But later?"
aCome with me. promise to arrange
everything"
"But do not choose to come"
"YOu must"
"Why?"
"YOu will accompany me-not as a
prisOncr-as friend. | trust you-l
believe in you-burglar as you are. Be
lieve me-" | continued, earnestly, sit IS
the best, the only way. All you care for
is that you do not get arrested?"
eyes"
"Nor become publicly implicated in the
Seabury casc?"
"That's it,"
"And that you are allowed an Opportu-
nifty to secure the money you referred
tO?"
"Exactly."
81 agree to it all"
"Can you do what you agree?"
"Yes."
"You promise?"
81 swear it, provided you do as say.
"Ah, what you say"
at will not be difficult This crime
must be explored-the assassin must be
apprehended. Choose to go with me as
friend, an equal, safe and free, or to be
hunted down by detectives, dragged to
Jail, forced to confess, and, possibly, inn
picated in the crime.
Cain looked sullen and uncomfortable.
81 prefer to trust myself in your
hands, " he said, finally.
"YOu are wise. ! shall not be false to
you or my promise"
We reached my Office two hours later.
Untrayersed thOroughfares and a close
cab enabled a journey untroubled by the
police.
When we again left the Office Cain
wore an etfcctual disguise.
"Where are you taking me?" he asked,
as we proceeded down the street
nowhere into danger" replied.
He walked quietly by my side. was
Silent, uncommunicatiye. | was in a
fever of strange anxiety. There were
questions l longed to ask him, but feared
-ah, how shudderidgly l dreaded!
"Hcllo," he CALCULATED at last; "there?"
IIo hod oono to q sudden halt