The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-04
A MIDNIGHT
TRAGEDY;
The Crime Of The
Brokers Office.
BY
w. F. MOTT.
w. F.. MOTT.
CHAPTER XNvI.


Paxton answered calmly.
I'VE know where you were every mo.
ment on the night Of the murder, ana
look herel"
Thus speaking, the detective suddenly
drew from his pocket the coin-baS which
he had found in the closet OF hredge's
apartment. -o,
do you recognize this, Levi?" he
asked, holding the bag up for kredges s
inspection.
The prisoners knees shook, and there
was an awful expression OF terror on his
evil face.
-Ah, I see you do recognize this money
bag. Shall I tell you where 1t came
from? 1t was in John Oakburn's little
private safe until the night before his
murder. Since Oakburn's murder l
found this coin-bag in your room. You
see, Levi, denial is useless. The PROOF
Is overwhelming"
"You jeering DEVIL" cried Kredge.
suddenly leaping up from the couch on
the side of which he had been seated.
It seemed that in the , ,ony and mad
ness of the moment he was about to at
tack the detective.
Paxton did not recoil, but his glitter
ing, steely eyes met the prisoners blaz-
ing orbs, and involuntarily Kredge sank
back cowed by the power OF the detect
Ives gaze.
Look here, Paxton, he said pres
emily, with desperate effort at calm
ness. You have me in a tight place,
I'll admit, but I didn't kill Oakburn,
swear didn't; I'll take my oath I'm in
nocent, even on the gallows."
To the detectives mind there returned
the memory Of the conversation he had
overheard between Judith and the jani-
itor, when the former said she believed
Levi had nothing to fear in consequence
Of Oakburn's murder because he was
not guilty.
The detective thought Judith was sim
cere in thinking thus, but the janitor's
eight andall Paxton's clews seemed to
indicate the fellows connection with the
crime.
1T is folly for you to thus protest
your innocence. Your only hope Is ID
confession" Paxton said.
Il tell you, once and for all, have
not John Oakburn s blood on my hands,
replied the janitor, again repeating his
denial.
-
you; the law must take its course. But,
By the way, Levi, where did you get the
ten thousand dollars you thought OF in
vesting in Newburgh real estate2" asked
Paxton.
The janitor's jaw fell. He tried to
speak, but only ar inarticulate sound
emanated from his lips. He was mo-
mentarily stricken dumb, it seemed, by
hot fha
knew what he must have regarded as
profound secret.
Paxton saw the impression he haG
made, and he followed it up.
you little dream how we'll Informed
! am regarding your private affairs,
Levi" he said.
Il don't know what you mean. I am
poor man. I never had any money"
answered Kredge, at last.
Il know all about that. But tell me,
what have you done with Marion Oak
burn?"
Il know nothing about the girl. How
should II"
Look here, Levi, your lies are vast
ed. I am the man who attempted to
rescue Marion Oakburn from Malvin's
Hotel. Now, mark my words, you in
fernal scoundrel, if that poor girl is
harmed in any way, I shall exact fear
full retribution."
Levi shuddered, but he protested HE
entire ignorance regarding Marion's
whereabouts.
Paxton could not prolong this inter-
view further, and he believed he had
made an impression on the mind Of the
ok,h ha
The detective counted upon Kredge'5
sending for his sister Judith, and i'm
ploring her to save him by the revela.
ton which we know she had informed
him she could make.
When Kredge found himself alone,
after Paxton's departure, he gave vent
30 his thoughts in these words:
If Judith fails me, it is either hang
ing or a long term Of imprisonment.
But can save myself from the gallows
II it comes to that, I think, at the cost Of
q confession which will surely condemn
me for years"
What was the meaning OF this?
Could it be that there was some secret
of this dark mystery which no man sus-
pected locked in the heart Of Levi
kredge?
Half an hour later, as the guard pass
cd his CELL Levi Kredge called to him
through the grating of his cell door.
, What's the row." demanded the
prison guard. rudely.
i wanJ TO SEM message to my Sis
teri I'll pay you to deliver it, answer
I'd the prisoner.
All right" said the guard.
Just then voices, and the sound Of
several persons footsteps were heard,
and Levi recognized the voice of Judith,
who was one OF the party.
MY sister is coming. and so 1 will not
trouble you TO take note, said Levi,
and the guard moved on muttering at
the loss OF fee.
..u,sa mad come 70 visit her brother,
and O turnkey who was escorting the
party of visitors of which she was
member, admitted her to Lewis cell, and
brother and sister were left alone.
"Oh. nv affectionate brother; you can
be friendly enough when you are in
trouble, can't you. / knew you'd be
captured when you left Oakburn's last
night" she said.
What do yo.. mean? have not call
ed at Oakburo's since fled?" said Levi
In amazemsht.
An explanation ensued. and great was
Judith's wrath when she understood
bow the detective had deceived her.
But to business" cried Levi, inter-
rupting her as she was heaping maledic-
tons on Paxton's devoted head. Il am
In deadly peril. I am accused of John
Oakburn'S murder, and the detective