The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-11

nau some strange adventures In fht
semibarbarous countries of the east, OF
which he regaled me with many an in
teresting tale. But the most romantic
OF all his adventures had its beginning
In Rome. But there, must not get
ahead OF my story.
1t was on the 10th of September, just
three months subsequent to my first
meeting with young Rainforth, that a
most mysterious tragedy occurred in
Mayburg. 1t was the first incident of
the kind that had been known In the
history OF the town, and il at once ex-
cited feeling of horror among the
peaceful inhabitants, which grew in in
tensity as the mystery surrounding the
incident deepened.
An unknown man had been murdered
and his body found lying in the road
just outside the limits of the village,
and within stones throw OF Darkwood
Hall, an imposing but gloomy old build
ing OF graystone, whose owner, Isaat
Dangerfeld, wealthy New York bro
ker, had never deigned to make it his
abode for even short season.
The murdered man was about 30
years of age and dressed in neatly fit
ting suit of dark gray m aterial, but the
strlctest inquiry failed to disclose his
identity. Near him was found small
leathern valise, which contained few
articles of wearing apparel, an opera
glass, two French novels and small
black glass jar containing colorless
liquid, which proved to be alcohol.
Upon bis person was found costly gold
watch and red morocco pocketbock
containing some $500, mostly in small
bills. IL was evident that whatever the
motive of the murderer had been it had
not been robbery. But who had COM
mitted the deed? That was the ques-
tion that was in everybody's mouth, yet
none could offer even a shadow of a So
luton to the problem.
An ugly knife wound in the region of
the victims heart told that the murder
er had done bis work quickly and well.
A farmer of the name of Marks had
been the first to discover the body,
which was still warm, and believing
that life was not yet extinct he had
placed the body in his wagon and
brought it to my Office, along with the
leathern valise which he had found ly-
ing in the road near at hand.
Marks was summoned to appear be-
fore the coroner at the inquest and gave
his testimony as follows:
MY name is James Marks. ara a
resident of the state of New York. /
ana a farmer and reside on farm three
miles from Mayburg. was in May
burg on the 10th Of September and re-
mained till about 8 o'clock in the even
ing. l then left by the south road lead
ing to Bartlett's Station. When about
half mile from town and within short
distance of the large stone house that
stands near the road at that point, my
horses suddenly became frightened at
something lying in the road ahead. l
tried to pacify them, but they only
plunged the more and refused to ad-
vance step.
81 then dismounted from the wagon.
and walking few steps ahead Of the
team discovered the body of man ly-
ing in the road. The moon was shining,
but the shadows of the trees where |
had stopped made it quite dark. l did
not see or hear any one near the place.
/ supposed at first that the man in the
road was drunk, but when took hold
Of him L found his clothing was wet,
and lighting a match discovered that
my hands were wet with blood. saw
the deceased's face by the light. l had
never seen him before. The body was
still warm. thought that life might
not be extinct, and placed the body
in my wagon and drove rapidly back to
town. brought the body to the office
Of DR.. Dixon; also valise which
found in the road near where the de-
ceased lay. That is all know of the
circumstance.
Jack Peters, the old gardener at Dark
wood Hall, in whose charge the place
had been for FIVE years, was summoned
and gave his testimony.
He stated that he lived with his wife
at Darkwood Hall. They occupied the
servants quarters in the north wing of
the building. He was at home on the
night of Sept. 10. He heard no unusual
sounds. He was little hard of hearing.
The building he occupied stood about
so yards from the road and about 100
yards from the spot where the deceased
had been found. He had come from his
work among the shrubbery at 8 o'clock
and had remained in the house till
about 8; then he had crossed the lawn
to bring scythe he had left. He was
returning with it when he saw a man
hurrying across the lawn toward the
front gate. He did not recognize the
man. He saw his face in the moonlight.
1t was not the face of the deceased. He
did not speak to the stranger. He was
surprised at seeing him there, but it
was not very uncommon for people TO
pass through the grounds. He thought
he would recognize the man if he saw
him again.
The ticket agent at Bartlett's Station
was next called and stated that man
answering the description Of the de-
- L. o