Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-05-11
n was as though he suddenly saw an

II was as though he suddenly saw an
avenue of escape looming up
@So I thought when i saw that phial,
ond discovered that part of the con-
tants had PASSED his lips, for it was
doadlv poison, and would bring a col
1onso within ten minutes after being
taken"
nHow came your friend tho detective
on hand. Doctor"
aThat concerns another part of it. Tho
old Doctor feared sudden dcath from
some source, and his room was connected
with the Office of the detective by tele-
graph
was in the house before quarter Of an
bonr had elapsed, yet he found the old
gentleman stone dead.
"Terrible, terrible, to think he died
alone. | feel now that all was not done
that might have been on my part Doc
tor. do YOU think he suffered?"
81 fear he did, but more from mental
than bodily anguish. am not yet done,
vounQ sir. NY friend Mr.. Ketcham
asked me to examine his breast, to see II
there were marks of the poison having
caused the blood to gather about tho
heart.
"Judge of my amazement when ! dis
covered a small Duncture directly over
his heart and drop of blood upon his
Clothes"
Parker uttered low, gurgling cry.
He was surveying me with a liked
stare. and there was something set and
lok do pon
dead.
Was he trying to read my mind-tG
learn what | suspected?
went on:
"Mv friend now told me why he had
brought me to see a dead man; it was not
to save but to avenge.
"He wished me to learn, positively and
without the faintest shadow of doubt,
whether the terrible stroke at the heart
had been the cause of death or the
poison"
"And what did you decide?" huskily
asked the young man.
was becoming more cool and collect
ed as | proceeded, while he showed all
the symptoms of intense excitement.
Nor could | blame him. If he was
guilty of this terrible crime, then it must
seem to him as though the day of judg-
ment had surely arrived
"My examination convinced me of GER
tain things which could be readily proved
, should the occasion ever arise.
81 knew that the Doctor had taken the
poison before receiving the stab-wound,
but that it had been given immediately
after. and that the last spark of life had
left his body before the poison had had
half a chance to work, so that Dr. Sea-
bury did not die by his own hand, but
was murdered"
| said this in cold, ringing voice. 1t
was my intention to send the charge
homo to his guilty soul like cannon
shot.
He betrayed all the symptoms of one
who was in mortal fear
His hands worked convulsively' and
his eyes sought mine again with much
/ the same expression in them as / have
seen in a dog as he covers before the
master from whom he expects a whip
ping.
I believed I had cornered my game
right here, and that presently would
extort confession that must not only
raise my prowess in the mind of the grcal
detective, Mr.. Ketcham, but at the same
time save Leonore.
1t only needed a little more skillful
manipulation and the thing was done.
"This is a terrible thing, Doctor" OF
last fell from his lips.
eyes, indeed, Mr.. Parker. 1t was bao
enough to believe the old man had taker
his own life, but is much worse when W.
find that some cowardly assassin crept mp
behind him and slew him"
He hid his face in his hands, as hi!
emotion became too powerful. In my
ewes this was strong sign of guilt
Twas about ready to send the final boil
home. Leaning forward so that | coulC
watch him closely, while at the same
time my hand slipped around to where
my revolver was hidden, said:
"Theodore Parker, what bushes!
brought you to that room on the night o.
the murder-that caused you to climl
the vines to the window above? Speak
"Great heavensl Do you believe it wa
/ who did this terrible deed?" he sud
denly asked. showing his face.
81 have reason to think So"
"But you do not seem to know my con
nection there"
81 can guess it-you arc Leonore'
lover"
He groaned dismally.
"Worse still. am Abraham Seabury'
son. "
1t was my turn to be amazed.
TO BE CONTINUED.