Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-05-04

done. through the DralnDleS JnaJ nau
Grown in the breach of the half fallen
wall.
NV pockct, and actually dislodgcd my |
handkerchief.
bcnt down to pick it up.
Ali there was one of my letters also |
that had been deftly snatched out of
nocket by this scf-same inquisitive
bramble bush.
The deuce!
Started as if shot, for, as picked the
envelope up, it felt cold and damp.
II had come from my pocket, but had
lain there through the rain.
Quick as thought, turned it over to
look upon the address. This was what
what greeted my eyes:
"THEoDoRE PARKER,
"New York City"
| Stav. there was the postmark up IN
the richt-hand corner That might be
very important clew to me-
could make it out distinctly.
! "New York. June 6, p. m.
When I had read this, ] could not help
smiling.
This very day was June 18th, and the
letter I held had been mailed in the city
during the preceding afternoon.
What could be palmer?
Tho man who carried it must have
nassed over this wall since that time
There could not be the faintest shadow
of doubt but that Theodore Parker,
whoever he might prove TO be, had peeh
in those grounds during the night that
witnessed the murder.
Undoubtedly he was the burglar wnc
had climbed the vines, bent upon pun
der. and who had been concerned in some
way with the crime
Whether Theodore Parker woulo
nrove woman in disguise ] could not tell
vet. but felt sure that when l found
him the identity of the man with the
marked hand would be fully established.
put the letter in my pocket, for hao
already seen there was an inclosure OF
some sort i2 the envelope.
Then 7 sought the officer, from whom
learned the address of the policeman
whose beat took in DIR. Seabury's place.
In twenty minutes | was rappng on
the door of neat little house.
A tidy wife opened the door and ush-
cred me into the parlor, while sne Wen1
TO call her husbaDd, who was asleep
Presently he put in an appearance
saw he was good-natured fellow,
and at once apologized for disturbing
him. -,
Without much waste of time | told
him about the suicide of DIR. Seabury'
and the fact that burglary had been
attempted the same night.
! "What | want to know, Deasley, IS
whether YOU saw any suspicious charac-
ters in the vicinity that night"
/ He shook his head
ave see lots of 'em at all hours, so |
! can't exactly say as how there was more
j on last night than any other time.
"Tbink: was there any who seemed 10
hover about the Seabury placer"
"Now that you mention it, my pard
and me did see fellow near the WALL
a-dodging along, but we didn't pay any
attention to him."
"Why?"
"Well, we'd seen him more than once
J in that place. and understood that ne
was in love with old Seabury's gal, and
that the Doctor was down on him."
"Where did you get that impression
"Can't say, exactly. Might have come
from nv pard. who's great hand al
reading stories. Anyhow, he kinder
, svmpathized with the feller, who was
; good-looking young chap We never
bothered him"
"Then vou have seen his face?"
2 "Often, sir"
( "What kind of looking man was
, hep"
+ He assumed reflective air.
81 reckon he had bright eyes, blue,
think they were, and wore full yellow
beard When his cap was off saw tina
] his hair in front stood straight up, anC
1 that his forehead was more square an
, white than any / ever set eye on.
, The words of the policeman gave me
] severe start. / thought of picture
D had seen in DR.. Seabury's chamber
turned face to the wall in dark corner
True. that had been the head OF
young boy, bright and keen, but 1t ma
possessed the same popularity OF yello'
Q hair spoken of by the night patrol.
f Instantly there flashed across m
I mind the conviction that ] might DIS
cover some connection between Tn
wonld-be burglar and possible murdere
b and the original Of the picture that wa
turned to the wall.
Z More plainly. then, new vista SCENE
+ opening before me.
was delighted with my success tne
l. far. and would not feel ashamed 10 met
Mr.. Ketcham when | went TO report III
r progress in the game. 80,
d Perhaps the man could estaollsh OF
more link in the chain for me-
"TeIl me. my friend, have you eV'
J. heen close enough to see this man
hands?"
J. aWas there anything peculiar abo
ID them?" 1 avn
@WeI, no, sir, except l noticed one
Is his fingers was gone" ~,
Y. oIndeedl From which hand?"
n He reflected moment.
le "The left, sir"
~You are sure OF that?"
r. mT can swear to it. I remember
in was leaning against the wall one nig
he wben we PASSED him, and his left hal
was nm against the stones. The lig
as from a street lamp showed US his ha
nloin as dav. and Bill, he's my pard, y
ht know. he spoke of it afterward'
~ had no more to say
mt The case was assuming such propt
in t;ons that really wished for the ASST
lc. onco of Mr.. Ketcham, but the time n
no ,ot vet arrived for me to seek him.
II. would try and find clew to
r,boreahouts of Theodore Parker.
all porhans the letter l had found wo,
an aid me.