Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-05-11
took me. waited until ho had come up
q lnlnnncidn. fhnn ! turned.

that my shot had gone nome.
"You have the advantage of me, SIR
he replied coldly. ignoring my hand.
"You admit that you are Theodore
Parker?"
"Why should I deny it?"
"Then / wish to have a private con-
versation with you"
81 do not know why should grant it,
sir. You arc a stranger to me.
"That is true Allow me to introduce
mysclf." and | handed him my card.
"Dr. Burton, he read.
"At your service"
aWeil, sir, will you be so good as to in
form me why should grant you an IN
terview? am no wiser than before. "
81 come from Leonore.
Tho shot told. could see the color go
and come. His white teeth became
tightly clenched, as though he were de-
termined not to give way to any emotion,
vet the mention Of that name had
knocked his reserve away, and left the
past open to assault.
knew that my name had been my
passport into his favor. He looked at
me again, for | had assumed new i'm
portance in his eyes.
"You have seen Leonore?" he asked,
huskily.
eyes"
"And she sent you to me?"
I could hardly say that, and yet he
must be led to believe something this
way
"You see I am here"
"For what?"
GAS said before, | seek to have an
interview with you. Will you go with
me to some quiet restaurant where we
can talk without being overheard"
"Why not go back to my room?"
"That would do, only do not know
who else you have in the house."
His lip curled as though he believed |
was actually afraid, when my inquiry
was directed merely through desire for
secrecy.
"There Is only an old widow lady in the
house | have room there. She is deaf
as an adder and can hear nothing"
eve could not find a better place. |
will go back with you, Mr.. Parker. p"
AS turned and walked away with him
nv heart beat high. At last | could see
a fair prospect of reaching the end ]
had in view.
Theodore Parker would be obliged to
confess what he knew of the murder, for
I meant to pin him down with questions
that he could net evade.
He opened the door with night-key
and led the way along hall; at the end
was door which he opened.
now found myself in a coy room,
comfortably furnished.
Theodore motioned toward a chair.
"Make yourself comfortable, sir. "
When sat down, managed it so that
the light from the window should be
upon the face of my vis-avis, while my
own was in shadow
His hand was trembling, and | could
see that he awaited my speaking with
great deal of subdued excitement.
A great question was before me. |
looked at his left hand, and saw that the
upper half of his forefnger was gone.
This was positive proof in one way
To all appearances the crime now lay
between LeonOre and Theodore. Which
could / believe the guilty party?
Already in my mind | had acquitted
the girl; hence, this man must be the one
whose frenzied hate had buried the blade
in the heart of the old Doctor.
To beard a murderer in his den is no
play. 1t must not be supposed that
had come here unprepared for an emer-
gency
Safely hidden in my pocket was reli-
able revolver. l knew how to use it, too,
and more than once in my researches in
the Holy Land and in the old countries
Of Europe had found it faithful and
efficient friend.
could reach it with one quick move
ment should the occasion demand such
action on my part.
Theodore waited for me to speak. OF
course l did not mean to jump at the
question in the start. believed in lead
ing a refractory horse gently.
"Mr Parker, Of course you have heard
the news?"
"News, sir what news?"
CDR Seabury is dead"
"Whatl"
The word burst from him like pistol
shot.
His face became white as chalk, and
thought the man was about to faint; but
be recovered himself with an effort, and
even controlled his voice.
"Will you repeat that, sir?"
"Dr. Seabury is dead.
"When did this terrible event hap
pen?"
early this morning, at ten minutes
after g."
"You are precise. All! recollect-
Won are a physician~you were called in
Did she-Leonoro send you for me?"
This was spoken naturally enough, but
It did not becefve me. | knew that the
man who could commit such fearful
crime could act his part in covering Il
up.
At the same time, meant to keep hin
on the rack, giving him no rest until thu
final charge was sent home.
"Leonore did not send me, though i
was partly for her sake | came here
DR.. Seabury did not die under my charge
When he breathed his last, so far as We
know, he was alone"
I was surprised to hear the young MAI
groan a'oud.
Surely he was acting his part to per
fection.
"Tell me about it, Doctor"
"You appear deeply interested"
His eyes famed up.
81 have right to be-"
"That ia So" | said, meaningly; bu'
he did not appear to see the undertone
"If no one was with him when hC
passed away, how can you affirm that he
died at ten minutes past two, DOctOr?"
81 shall have to tell you something o.
the story, sir. AS said before, am {
doctor. and. like the deceased, made
speciality of the science of toXcology
"About half-past two this morning