Evening star., 1895-04-27


solemnly, that had no hand in his DEATH
I robbed him. but I did not kill him. 1t
was this way: 1 went into the Long Room
to speak to him. Miss Margaret was asleep
be asleep, with his head on his desk. And
right there in plain sight was all that
money. y
i've been tlrd pressed, sir, Of late
There's been some as bad me at a dis
advantage and have used their power. It's
their fault, sir, that took the money.
I'm no thief at heart. Idid it in sheer ner-
vousness, at the sight of what I needed so
much. = -
1.-THE general never stirred He was dead
then. sir, I've no doubt, but didn't know
it. 1 got away with the money and hid it
in my room. Then when the murder was
discovered was near frozen with horror.
1 would have restored the money, but
there's been no chance. Somebody has
been in that room all the time. So this
morning, when 1 learned that one of the
servants had seen me go into that room
and had told on me, I resolved to run
for it That's the whole TRUTH sir, and
I'm glad to have it off my mind"
Il believe you, my man." said Preble
ITS never a good thing in this world to
be too smart. and it's your good fortune
that you're not nearly smart enough to
nave committed this crime, supposing that
it is crime at ALL
He directed Kelly to keep an eye on Han
ley and then we all went into the Long
Room. We found Margaret and DR.. Hilton
cordiality. She said that she felt much re-
leved at having his advice and aid. for
she had always thought him to be gifted
with an exceptionally clear mind.
IF my present theory of this terrible
mystery proves to be correct" said Preble,
Il think we shall all feel greatly relieved.
1t is only theory at present, and its basis
is no more than this"
He opened his hand and showed splinter
of wood about an inch and half long.
For my part I had no idea of it's bearing
upon the case The others seemed equally
at loss.
Il found this on the floor at that end of
the ROOM" he said. pointing away from
the generals desk. 1T was knocked off
the inside of the wall by the bullet which
killed your father. 1t surprises me. gentle
men. that when you had found where the
bullet went out you should not have looked
for the place where it came in"
But, Preble," l exclaimed "you are not
going to tell us that the murderer fired
through that wall and across the whole
length of this room?"
And a mile of open country besides"
said Preble, calmly, ''if my theory is true.
Capt Marshall will you tell me whether
l am correct in saying that a line drawn
from the spot where Gen. Holiday was
struck down and extended through the
would pass close to your laboratory on the
| other side of the valley?"
Marshalrs forehead was wet with per-
spiration.
Il: is true he said, in a low voice. 81
am afraid that your theory is right"
You mean," cried, that the accidental
discharge of a rifle which was being tested
| is responsible for this terrible calamity?"
You have seen the bullet" said Preble,
| "and l have proven the direction in which
| it came. The weapon could not have been
| fired near the house you would have
heard the report. The shot must have been
| accidental, for the distance and the impos-
| sbility Of seeing into this room preclude
the possibility of intent. I can see no
| other explanation. However, we need not
be long in doubt If Capt. Marshall will
| whether there was an accidental discharge
| of rifle at the hour named.
| Il may add" he continued, that the
whole aspect of this case indicates the work
| of chance. 1t had not from the first the
| appearance Of human device. The abso-
| lutely impartial bearing of the facts. which
| implicated equally every person who could
| have been physically present, showed a
| broader grasp of detail than any man can
| claim The minor crime of Hanley strikes
| in discordantly with the rest You car
| readily see the difference between design
| and fate which can have no purpose. This
| terrible event Is the forerunner of many
| which will follow upon this new develop,
| will not all be accidents. If a murderer
| can by repeated trials at last strike dowr
his victim at the distance of more than 6
mile. he will be less often restrained by
mere cowardice."
| He bade us goodbye and went away will
| Marshall and Kelly. In an hour we re
| ceived a telephone message from the las
| named, that Preble's theory had been con
| frmed.