The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-02
w. f. MOTT.
CHAPTER xXxv.

After pause, Sr6Ct cOnImueQ.
Having decided to ransom bis con,
John Oakburn produced the seventy
sicht thousand dollars OF his employers g
money, which by chance he had brought
with him, and placing it In my hands, he
said:
.'Take it. It Is the price you demand
for nv sons liberation. This is my en-
ployer's money, but viii replace 1t
with my own money, which Is In my
little private safe.
.Then John Oakburn's little safe was
robbed on the night Of the murder!" ex'
claimed Paxton.
AFTER this we permitted Reid Oak
burn to 20 away with his father. First,
however, we gave him one thousand
dollars Of the marked money to con-
tinue his fight with.
In former days in Kansas City,
Kredge and Reid Oakburn were great
friends, as I happen to know, because
Kredge was then employed by me-.
Kredge objected to taking part In any
scheme against Reid, but his love OF
money was greater than his friendship,
and he consented finally when we prom
lsed him share Of the money we wrung
from Oakburn. Now I have told you
the whole story, and every word Of it is
the truth"
Thus Pratt concluded.
Paxton and Stanmore were both con-
vinoed from Pratt's manner that his
story was not fabrication, surprising
IS his statement was.
After this Pratt wrote out docu-
ment which was a clear and concise ex-
80 hop Sfon had hQaD
made the dupe Of the prime swindlers,
and which proved his entire innocence
of the swindle, at the head Of which he
had been placed by Pratt and Weeks.
When the paper had been read and
approved by Stanmore, message was
sent to Weeks, who soon put In an ap-
pearance. The situation was explained
10 him, and, making virtue of neces-
sity, he signed Stanmore's vindication
with his partner.
After this the two scoundrels were per-
tnitted to go.
Paxton and Stanmore at once repaired
30 police station, where the man who
exchanged overcoats with Stuart Har-
land had been lodged in cell by the
agent who had arrested him.
This man was told of Pratt's confess
sion, and he confirmed the brokers' story
perfectly. In conclusion he said:
Yes, my real name Is Reid Oakburn,
and am John Oakburn's s son."
bow came the skeleton keys in the
pocket OF the overcoat you exchanged
with Harland?" asked Paxton.
Before was recognized and trapped
by Pratt, had been prowling about
Garrison's Office, but had not revealed
myself to my father. I knew that he
formerly kept his money in the little
safe, with his curious weapons and coina.
and I meant to rob his private safe.
Il took the wax Impressions and had
skeleton keys made for the outside and
interior door. also had key made
for the big safe. I meant to blow open
the little one, for I couldn't get into the
private Office to take an impression.
Il was in league with band Of burg
lars, with whom I had recently formed
An acquaintance, and an experienced
'safe-blower' was to help me do the job
well, fed from the city the night
Of my fathers death. merely did sc
to deceive Pratt and Weeks, for dis.
trusted them, and feared they might
seek to betray me to the police, after
all.
Imeant to return, and so I did, afte,
going to Albany, where I procured 8
complete disguise, from Jew, to whor
1 was recommended by one Of the band
of burglars had joined.
On the way to Albany 1t occurred to
me that Pratt and Weeks might have
had me shadowed to the depot and tele
graphed my description ahead, SO as tc
secure my arrest without seeming tc
haze instigated it. felt the necessity
for an immediate change Of costume,
and that was why appropriated Har.
lands coat while he slept. forgot to
take the keys out Of the pocket Of the
coat left behind.
Later, after my return to the city, ]
met Levi Kredge, whose completely
with Pratt and Weeks did not suspect,
and one whom thought no temptation
could induce to betray me, I revealed
myself to him, and he carried note to
my haf-sister, Marion, for me.
"She had always been kind to me, and
Ihad always hoodwinked her as to my
real character, and thus won her sym.
pathy. She sincerely thought I was
more sinned against than SHINING.
After that Marion met me, but she
had been tracked, and fed to escape
detective. One night not long ago,
chanced to be at the house of Mother
Kits, when I discovered, much to my
surprise, that Marion was o prisoner in
rear room there. Unknown TO Mother
Kits, had just liberated her, and
was about to lead her out of that house,
when you appeared. Mr.. Paxton.
Il had told Marion that was a fugi
tive, accused of crime which had not
executed, and, as took the most solemn
oath that I was innocent, she implicitly
believed me.
when she saw you she whispered as
she snatched a revolver from my hand,
Flee, I'll prevent his following you.
Then it was that she confroted you in
the door, with the revolver leveled,
while escaped through rear exit.
After my escape, tried In vain to
learn what had become Of Marion.
Before I knew that the money paid
to Pratt and Weeks by my father was
marked, gave Marion ten-dollar note
from tho money had received frasa the
men who betrayed me.
.By Levi Kredge I had previously
sent Marion O photograph Of myself
taken while I was in disguise. so thai
she would knew me when we met.
With this Reid Oakburn was silent.
The mystery Of Marion's connection
with the supposed assassin, and as &c
how she came by tie marked bank note
~hich she had changed at the little
shop where Paxton received it, was ex-
planned.
Who do you suspect is your fathers
murderer" asked Paxton.
Levi Kredge!" answered Reid Oak