The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-07-17
A MIDNIGHT
TRAGEDY;
El9 Crime Of The
Brokers Office.
w. r. MOTT.
w. r. MOTT.
CHAPTER x-{C;ontInued1

Mr.. Paxton, presume" said Stan
more.
yes, sir, at your service, responded
the detective"
Then I have note of introduction
for you," said Stanmore, and he pre-"
sented q letter, which Paxton read,
after which he arose and shook hands
with the old gentleman warmly.
Stapmore's Introductory letter was
written by the Chief Of the New York
City police, and 1t stated that the bearer,
Richard Stanmore, Esq, was the writer 9
personal friend.
The letter concluded in these words:
ANY assistance you may render Mr..
Stanmore, who will make his business
known, will be duly appreciated by my
self and we'll remembered by the gentle
man in question, who is man OF vast
wealth"
The letter was duly signed.
- ~Mr. Paxton" said Stanmore, Il have
interested myself in the case Of the
murder Of my old friend, John Oakburn,
and desire to especially engage you to
solve the mystery of his fate"
II am already working up the case on
my own account"
~Yery we'll, I will add an incentive
which will perhaps not be ill-advised.
Find the assassin Of John Oakburn and
secure his conviction and pledge my
self to pay you the sum Of $4,000 cash,
the day the work is done," said Stan:
more. - S:s+--
That is small fortune; am yours.
I shall work for money as well as fame,
now" said Paxton.
>-"Good. and now wish to give you a
few items Of information" continued
Stannlore, and he went on to tell Paxton
Of his discovery that the marked money
was in the possession Of Pratt and
Weeks. - x.lS:=-Ss;s;=s - .=5=>=-sS5s;s;=s
<t Previously to his appearance at Gar.
Tison's 8 Office, and before he knew that
the money missing from the bro
ker's safe was marked, Stanmore had
chanoed to be in Pratt & Weeks Office
and he saw the latter counting large
sum Of money and noted, without think
ing Of the significance Of his discovery.
that each note was marked with small
red ~" as the banker said the money
paid John Oakburn was marked.
we must get hold Of the marked
money; III take out search warrant,
said Paxton.
NO" said Stanmore, emphatically, Il
object to that. know the devilish cum
ming Of those scoundrels. They would
find way to get the money beyond your
reach the moment you presented your
self with your warrant Of search-f, as
] suspect is the case, they have not al
ready cunningly secreted the money.
No, no, Pratt & Weeks must not know
that anyone possesses the knowledge
that they have the stolen money. Event
T ola
shall be made to pay out the stolen
money under circumstances which will
make any attempt at denial Of their
knowledge that it was stolen futile"
Perhaps some stratagem may ac-
complish that fancy you have no love
for Messrs. Pratt & Weeks" said Pax
ton regarding Stanmore curiously.
Il love justice. But listen; Levi
Kredge, Mr.. Garrison's janitor, is man
upon whom suspicion may rest" an
Bwered Stanmore, and he went on to tell
how he had seen Kredge come out Of the
private entrance Of Pratt & Weeks Of
fee and the reasons he had for suspect
ing that he was spy employed by Pratt
and partner to watch Garrison.
Such suspicious Stanmore entertained
from the moment when he knew that
Kredge was listening at the door Of
the interior department If Garrison 8
Office.
At this moment the conversation be-
tween Stanmore and Paxton was inter-
rupted. A man whom the detective
recognized as night watchman en-
ployed on the block where Garrison 8
Office was situated, entered.
CHAPTER XII.
The appearance Of the watchman was
source Of the greatest satisfaction to
the detective. He had desired to ques-
ton him, but had been unable to do 80
by reason Of the mans absence. He
had been called away from the city on
the day preceding the night Of the
murder.
Paxton greeted the watchman famil-
iarly, addressing him by the name OF
Kemp.
Mr.. Paxton" said the watchman.
you can speak fearlessly before this
gentleman" answered Paxton.
AL right, sir. heard you were ask
ing for me at my house, and though !
Just returned from the country, hurried
around the block In which Jason Carl
son ONCE, WueTe lue muTueI Was Coiu,
nitted, is located"
Yes, and I wish to ask II you had
noted any suspicious circumstance which
might be important for me to know.
The man who supplied your place on the
night Of the murder had nothing to tell
me-"
We'll, saw something. Last Monday
nlsht-two nights before the MURDER
saw man prowling about MIR. Garri-
sons Office. He was at work at the
street door when I discovered him.
Thinking to arrest him, tried to take
him BY surprise, but just as was about
TO seize him, he discovered me. Then
he was off like shot. pursued him,
but lie gave me the slip after all. ]
obtained o good look at his face though
zen he turned and saw me at the door.
This is news, certainly. said Paxton,
rs the watchman paused.
But have not told you all, the lat-
ter added. after I gave up the chase
of the man I discovered at the door OF
Gar-ison's office, returned there ano
made an examin alton. / found wax OF
the keyhole. and of course l knew a.
once the fellow had been taking Wa1
impression" .,
Describe the man." said Paxton.
lie was well-made young fellow
With light hair and mustache and blue
syss. There was grall sos- eorosi
zone OF his eyebrows, l think That's
the best can do for you in the way OF
Ia description; you know I only had a