The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-25

this direction. wondered at the nerve
Of the scoundrel.
Unexpectedly the trail turned off at
right angles and led toward broad
pond OF water Shiny and sullen III ap-
pearance. On the verge of this the trail
ceased, and then l knew that l saw be-
fore me the tomb Of Francis Briarfield.
Into these black waters the murderer
had hurled his victim, and doubtless
if the pool were dragged the body would
be found. This determined to do be-
fore taking further steps in the matter.
"Then, Mr.. Felix Briarfield," said l,
riding back to the inn, "then we will
see how much your astuteness will avail
you. "
1t was late in the afternoon when l
got back to the inn, and the cold vapors
Of the marsh made me shiver. As am
subject to rheumatism, l was afraid Of
future suferings, so, having some bran
dy in my flask, determined to light
fire for the purpose of heating water
and comforting myself with hot drink.
There was plenty of fuel about, and l
had matches in my pocket. began to
rake the dead ashes out of the dining
room CRATE when disturbed an oblong
piece Of flint, which ratified onto the
hearth.
All ideas of lighting fire were for
gotten as l stood with that in my hand
1t was an arrowhead. handled it GIN
gerly, for 1 knew we'll that it was
stepped in poison, and that with this
Francis had been murdered.
saw at once what had taken place.
Felix had arrived and had gone up to his
brothers room. Holding the flint with
the razorlike edge outward, he had
shaken hands with his brother and so
wounded him. A quarrel had ensued,
but Francis, not thinking he was poi
soned, never dreamed Of his danger.
Then he had fallen dead, and Felix,
placing the body on the bed, had re-
turned to the dining room and flung
the poisoned arrowhead into the fire.
The most astounding thing was that |
had not been awakened by the outcry
Of Francis, but suppose was quite
worn out by my walk and in too deep
sleep. Nevertheless it was strange that
L had heard neither the arrival of Felix
nor the struggle which must have taken
place. Possibly l had been drugged
With this damning piece Of evidence
in my pocket, wrapped up in paper, for
feared the poison for myself, rode
back to Westminster, wondering how
Felix had hit upon such a terribly in
genious fashion Of removing his broth
er. So far as knew, he had not travelled
much and would not be likely to have
any savage weapons in his possession,
yet he could not have owned q flint ar
rowhead in the ordinary run of things.
This puzzled me greatly.
l returned the horse to Fundy with
out making any remarks, and thorough
ly tired out went early to rest, still
puzzling over that arrowhead. Before
dawn l solved the mystery. In the en-
trance hall Of the Bellins' house a per-
feet armory Of savage weapons was ar
rayed against the wall. There were
clubs, arrows, bows, mats and grinning
heathen gods. Doubtless Felix, know
ing the arrows to be poisoned, had tax
en- the flint head Of one i'll order to put
his brother to death, AS early as 1
could / went to Bellin Hall to satisfy
myself on this point.
The hall was a show place, as it pos
sessed fine picture gallery, so / had
little difficulty in gaining admission
from the woman in charge Requesting
permission to examine the warriorlike
implements patterned against the hall
wall, narrowly observed the arrows.
1t was as l thought-one of the arrows
was missing, and Felix had stolen it in
order to kill his brother. / did not take
much interest in the pictures after such
a discovery, and the talk of the house
keeper fell unheeded on my ears. FL
nally gave her sovereign and left the
house, impatient to be alone and think
over my discoveries.
had now sufficient evidence to prove
that Felix had killed Francis and suf-
ticient to warrant having him arrested
If the pool were dragged, the body would
be found with the ragged wound of the
flint arrowhead on the right hand. /
| could prove the finding of the arrow
head i'll the ashes and how it had been
taken from Bellin Hall. Fundy could
give evidence TO Felix having taken a
horse to the Fen inn Oh tho 10th and
also on the 11th. And altogether the
evidence against Felix was clearly sufii-
cient to hang him. Still 1 did nothing
rashly, and before taking further pro-
ceodings returned to London to consult
Merrick. His advice, l knew, Would be
judicious.