Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-05-18
"Praise from Sir Hubert is praise in


deed"
81 suppose what You want now is my
opinion on your discoveries?"
"Yes, in part. | would not object to
hearing what you have done in that line
yourself, Mr.. Ketcbam." F."
He smiled at my words.
"Your enthusiasm in this case certainly
entities you to every consideration, Doc
tor, and at my hands you shall certainly
receive it.
waited for him to speak further, but
It was some time ere he did So Perhaps
he was pondering over the matter.
"NOw, Doctor, listen to me. In one
way it seems as though this young man
may have been guilty of the crime, and
vet am inclined to believe he speaks
the truth In the matter.
"At the same time he is morally GER
tain that when he looked into that room
be saw something that alarmed him.
"You See that he refuses to tell what
It was he saw. / judge that he is not the
man to take much care OF his own life,
but secret involving one he loves would
never be torn from him.
"Now, the great question is: what die
he see that troubles him so intensely,
and which, he says, the rack could not
tear from his lips?
"I,et me tell you.
eIIe looked upon Leonore, the girl he
foved, in mad frenzy bending over his
father and sending the blade homo to his
heart
aThat was the sight which froze the
blood in his veins and made his heart
stand still. No wonder he hardly knew
what he did after that, and went back
and forth between the wall and the
house.
"Think of it-he saw the girl he loved
murder his father! No wonder, then, he
/ declares that he is dumb. Sooner than
tell the truth and have LconOre con-
victed by his testimony, he would take
the crime upon his own shoulders. That
is the kind of man he is.
"You have seen him, Mr.. Ketcham?" l
said, suddenly.
eyes, / have seen him, but without
knowing positively who he was"
"You don't think he will give us tho
slip?"
"No danger of his running away, as
| long as she seems in danger"
iOO 1 DtllCNtu. ANOW3 nOW mum oNONh
do you take in this theory of yours, Mr.
Ketcham?"
He looked at me and laughed outright
"Come, Doctor, you read me too well.
Haven't convinced you that believe /
have been on the true trail all along?"
"NO, sir, you have not. You persist
in following it, and at the same time
cast out feelers in other directions. |
believe you have other irons in the fire. "
"There is no use trying to dodge you,
see, Doctor. Question me If you will "
"First of all, would like to know II
YOU really believe Theodore saw the girl
in the act of killing his father?"
Honestly then, | do not. He could
not have kept from leaping into the
room and either endeavoring to stay her
arm or else confronting her afterward,
and he swears he has never been in that
room"
That was one point gained. returned
to the attack.
"What do you suppose his object was
in climbing the vines?"
"That is a mystery. / see two reasons
that might have induced him to act in
that way. 1t may be he was bound to
see his father, and force proofs upon
him that would show how unjust the
old physician had been all along. Then,
again, perhaps he thought he was climb
ing to the room of Leonore, and that
she would be at the window waiting for
him."
"That is queer idea.".
"Not so queer as you think. Look al
this piece of paper. / found it in the
grounds, where it had been lost.
The rain had washed it, but the writ
ing was still legible.
1t ran simply:
l must see you, in spite of all. If nc
other way appears, ] shall climb up tC
your window at night. This suspense vii
drive me mad THEODORE
looked up at Mr.. Ketcham.
"Sure enough; your latter theory ir
this respect is the true one. Still, there
is little thing don't understands
"I know just what it is, and can pu
you in the way of enlightenment
Notice the slip of paper you hold again
and you will see that the top is turned
over.
"Who did that?"
at was l. Cast youI eyes upon i
now"
l turned the paper around.
As did so, could not keep from ut
tering cry of astonishment
There was cause for it, Only one lin'
of three words greeted my eyes, but
gave terrible shock.
That line made clear many things l
also lifted weight from my heart, ant
| knew Just where / stood
What was it then that met my eye
upon this piece of paper to create th
sudden revulsion of feeling within me.
"Lconore-my wifem
TTO BE CONTINUED.