Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-10-04

uossession of me that there was SOME
thing more than nero coincidence IN
tie affair and ought to be investigated.
Should | communicate my discoveries
to the detectives and have the matter
investigated? This seemed the only
course left for me to pursue, yet hesl-
tated to use evidence that had come into
nv possession through & professional
call.
So the thoughts over the affair i-ept
my mind agitated till late In the night,
and then finally decided to lay all the
facts before young Rainforth and con-
suit with him as to how l should pro-
coed.
From what | had learned from the
garrulous servant it appeared that the
mistress Of Darkwood Hall had arrived
on the 9th of the month. On the night
Of the 10th the murder had been com
mitted. From this it was plain that she
was at the hall when the tragedy mao
taken place, yet | was confident that
this fact had not been known at the time
the inquest had been held. 1t so, why
had not some member of the household
besides Jack Peters been summoned to
testify before the coroner's jury?
The murdered man was a stranger.
He had arrived ct the place on the day
following the arrival of the occupants
ct Darkwood Hall He had been found
within a stones throw Of the house,
murdered, and added to these facts was
the discovery ] had made regarding the
missing finger. All these facts taken
together forced the conviction upon my
mind that the mistress Of Darkwood
Hall was in some strange and lnexpllca-
ble way mixed up in the terrible affair,
vet from what l had seen Of her it Was
impossible for me to believe she had
been guilty OF any crime.
But as a duty owed not only to
Justice, but to one who was my friend.
I was resolved to make an investigation
Of the matter.
Early on the following morning |
called on Gerald Rainforth, who was
still confined in the Jail awaiting pre-
liminary examination. found him still
cheerful regarding the prospect OF his
release, yet l could notice q gloomy cast
upon his countenance at times, which
plainly told Of some deep mental trou-
bic.
DO you know" I said after we
had exchanged friendly greetings, that
the gardener at Darlwood Hall claims
to identify you as the man he saw pass
ing through the grounds at the hall on
the night Of the murder?'
saw him start visibly as | made the
announcement, and tor a moment he re-
manned silent. Then he said:
"Of course that proves nothing"
''Certainly not, +" | went on, but it
is very unfortunate circumstance that
the old gardener should make such
stupid mistake
But it ism t a mistake, " he answered.
what! Then ii was really you
whom he saw On the grounds that
night?"
Yes. -
looked at him in establishment. He
noticed my look and added:
'Of course you are surprised at my
being there at that timer
| nodded assent
He arose and paced the room for sew
eral momenrs, his head bent as if in
deep thought. Then he walked to ia
bic by the window, and picking up
roll Of manuscript came and laid it in
ny hand.
This will explain matters to you,''
he said. you are the only friend I
have on earth in whom | can conhde.
When you have read this, come to me,
and will tell you of my plans. have
teiegraphed to New York for my attor-
ney and a detective. They arrived early
this morning, and am now expecting
them every moment. -
II thank you for your confidence"
said, land let me assure you that what
ever circumstances may point to the con-
trary shall never question your inno-
cence."
He pressed my hand warmly.
Il am more than grateful for your
friendship and the assurance Of your
confidence in my innocence" he re-
piled. u trust soon to prove to you
that it has not been misplaced, -
Gerald, said, Il have made some
important discoveries in this case, and
1t was to acqua1nt you with these that I
came this morning."
/ then related the circumstance of
my discovering the human finger con-
tanning the diamond ring in the mu1-
dered mans luggage; then of my visit
to hardwood Hall, of Miss Dangerfeld's
sudden illness and the discovery that
one OF her fingers was missing.
A look Of utter establishment and per
plexity crossed his face at my revelation.
Its something that can't under
stand, " he remarked after a long pause.
1T is very strange-very strange
u is indeed | answered, land |
think the facts ought to be given to the
detectives at once
No, no." he said, with sudden en-
ergy. Keep your discoveries a secret
for tho present. [ have good reasons for
asking this-reasons which YOU shall
know IN due time
But surely this matter ought to he
investigated at once,'' replied. not q