The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-08-21

me, how about Andrews case!
Paxton felt that he was in deep water,
but he knew that if he hesitated he was
betrayed and SO he press..nphV reolied:
Il think we shall fix 1t ali right, pre-
rata"
Malvin regarded the detective with
look Of amaZement.
Paxton comprehended that he mus
have made mistake in this answer.
What has SO completely changed
your opinion2 Didn't you tell me there
was no possibility Of getting the SEN
tence commuted?" the other asked.
The detective saw his way again.
He replied:
Yes. But since saw you I've made
the acquaintance Of local politician
who is power with the authorities, and
he has promised to use his influence to
secure the clemency Of the law for An.
irews. Beyond the posse eomitatus 10
Dur hope"
He had not forgotten Crawley's fond.
ness for using law Latin terms, whether
correctly or otherwise.
This is good news. You are trump,
Crawley. You have taken weight Oh
my mind. Andrews might have made
some ugly disclosures If we did not helv
him cheat the hangman."
Il thought you were anxious about
the matter, for in my note I told you to
call at my office to-day. I had an idea
my letter might have failed to reach
you"
Il should have been to the office II ]
had heard from you" answered Malvin.
At that moment q oolored waiter an
nounced supper, and Malvin said:
"You have dropped in just in time.
am giving supper to a few Of my select
friends. There will be plenty to drink.
Will you Join US at the table2"
Certainly; I an not non compos
mentis. When was ever known to de.
cline such an offer2"
Thus answered the pretended lawyer,
and his host conducted him and his
other guests into spacious dining.
room at the other end Of the hall upon
which the street door opened.
The table was resplendent with silver
and cut-glass.
At each plate several bottles Of wine
had been placed, and upon an elabor-
ately carved sideboard there was col
lection Of stronger liquors Of all kinds.
AS the company was becoming seated
at the table, colored woman entered
and whispered to Malvin.
What the woman said the detective
did not hear, although he was on the
alert and tried to catch her words.
But he heard Malvin's answer:
Let her make all the noise she
chooses, she cannot be heard beyond
the walls Of the house."
Paxton smiled.
Il was right in thinking should find
Marion Oakburn here. She is the
female captive who must be imprisoned
here" he thought.
He knew, however, that there was a
possibility that he was mistaken In the
identity of the female captive.
"TN find out the truth before the
night is over. Everything is working
to suit me, and this supper invitation
has given me an idea. I'll personate
the character Of Ajax Crawley to the
letter, and get stupidity intoxicated, In
appearance. They will be obliged tc
stow me away somewhere to sleep oil
nv drunk, and thus may gain an op-
portunity to search the house.
Thus Paxton reflected.
He acted his part perfectly.
As Ajax Crawley naturally would
have done, under similar circumstances,
Paxton drank, or, what amounted to
the same thing, seemed to drink very
freely.
Finally, after passing through the
various stages Of intoxication with all
the skill of q veteran impersonator OF
such characters, he fell across the
table in a yell-feigned drunken stupor.
Here, Dan and William, put this sot
to bed" ordered Malvin.
A couple of burly colored men re-
sponded to Malvin's call, and, lifting
the detective between them, in by no
means gentle manner, they carried him
up stairs and deposited him on bed i.
a little hall sleeping-room, and left
him.
The detective had heard Malvin and
his companions express their determine
ton to make q night Of it," and he
knew, therefore, that it was useless te
wait for them to retire before com
mencing his search for the girl CAPTIVE,
whom no believed to be Beneath that
roof.
Perhaps half an hour elapsed, and
then Paxton arose and crept forth from
the room where the negroes had de-
posted him, and gained the hall.
A gas Jet in the rear end OF the hall
burned dimly, but it's light enabled the
detective to see his way.
He listened for q moment, and he
heard the sounds Of revelry from the
dining hall below.
His acute ear also presently caught
4L RI
nate from above his head.
The building was an ordinary three.
story structure.
In q moment or 80 Paxton was con.
vinced that the sound which came from
the third story was the muffied sound oj
blows, such as might be made by some
one pounding on door with naked
hands.
He surmised that he should find the
captive whom he thought to be an in
mate Of the house, in some apartment
on the next story.
He silently glided up the stairs and
gained the hall above
He almost instantly located the sound
which he had heard, and gained the door
upon which some one who occupied the
apartment to which it led was pounding.
The detective tried this door, but as
he had expected. he found 1t locked.
He habitually carried bunch OF keys
in anticipation Of such emergencies as
this, and with the aid Of key Of this
bunch, he was not long in opening the
door.
Quickly he stepped inside, closed the
door, and placed his back against it.
Paxton found himself in small win