The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-07-24
A MIDNIGHT
TRAGEDY;
-OR-
lie Crime Of tie
Brokers Odce.
-BY-
w. r. MOTT.
w. F. MOTT.
CHAPTER XII.-Continued.

steps within the mouse, anu as Iney
seemed to be approaching the rear door,
they drew back into an angle Of the
building where the darkness was COM
plete.
Marion and Judith Kredge came out
through the rear door, gained an alley
In the rear of the narrow yard at the
back Of the building, and thence walked
to the next street, while Paxton and
Etanmore closely followed them.
A suspicion he would scarcely have
dared to formulate into words was gain
ing ground in the detectives mind as he
shadowed the women.
They had not proceeded more than a
couple of blocks when Paxton discovered
that some one was stealthily dogging
the footsteps Of Stanmore and himself.
II he was playing the shadow, he was In
turn being shadowed.
Scarcely had the detective impaired
his discovery to his companion, when the
man whom he had detected following
him, darted by, and himself and Stan
more both recognized Levi kredge by
his peculiar limp.
"Kredge!" exclaimed Paxton In a
whisper. "He has discovered that we
are following his sister and the cashiers
daughter" he added in tone of disap-
pointment.
Paxton apprehended that it was Devil
Xredge's purpose to warn Marion and his
sister that they were followed.
Such proved to be the fact.
Overtaking Marion and Judith, Levi
Kredge paused and spoke to them in
low tone for q moment, and then hurried
ON again,
The two women glanced backward,
and then crossed the street, and making
O detour they returned to the house
whence they had come, without going
anywhere in particular.
After Marion and her companion re-
entered the house, Paxton and Stanmore
watched the building until the lights
were all extinguished, and they were
sure that the inmates had retired for the
night. -,
After this they withdrew and Stan
more returned to his hotel, while Pax
ton, prompted by an impulse of the mo-
ment, fingered in the neighborhood.
Presently he saw limping form ap-
pear from side street, and, recognizing
Levi Kreds,, he followed until he saw
him enter the Office Of Pratt & Weeks by
the private way.
The janitor had given peculiar rap
and though it was now long after busi-
ness hours and no light was to be seen
In Pratt s. Weeks Office, he had been
promptly admitted.
~Ah! He was expected. The rascal
Is about to have private interview with
confederates, suppose. l should like
ito be an unseen witness Of this meeting.
Let me see, when I was making the
Blanchard investigation a year ago, I
had occasion to make several calls on
Messls Pratt & Weeks. Once or twice
j was admitted by the private entrance.
Now l recollect that the street door
opens upon a narrow enGy beyond
which is the door Of the brokers' private
office. I'll take the risk.
D Having thus communed with his own
thoughts the detective crept to the door
, of the Office by which Levi Kredge had
Just entered, and producing pick-lock
he deftly opened the door.
Fortunately there was no bolt on the
Inside or would have been bafled, he
muttered.
Without making even the faintest
sound which might have betrayed his
presence, he gained the entry upon which
the street door opened, closed the door
behind him and crossed the narrow hall
to the door Of the private cfice be.
yond it.
! There he listened and heard the voices
of Pratt, Weeks and Levi Kredge.
: The detectives nerves thrilled With
expectation as he thought that now per-
haps he was destined to make some i'm.
portant discovery.
He could distinctly hear all that was
said by the men upon whom he was spy
ing.
Pratt spoke first.
-Kredge, your warning about the
marked money came just in time. If the
money stolen from Garrison's safe had
been traced to US we would have been
ruined" he said.
And our regulations forever lost"
added Weeks.
The other laughed unpleasantly.
That we have kept up. Nothing like
e reputation. Our dupes have always
borne the ignominy and blame, while we
have reapfd the harvest resulting from
the success Of our shrewd schemes.
But you promised to report tonight as
to whether your suspicion that you
were being watched had been verified
or otherwise" said Pratt, turning to
Kredge.
~There Is no longer O doubt: I am
surely being watched oy detectives, but
am rid of them for tonight, answered
Kredge.
Are we suspected, I wonder?" said
Weeks.
Il can hardly think so, but If the Sc
crets Of the night Of John Oakburn's
murder are ever searched out, tremble
for the consequences. But tell US,
Kredge, have you learned what has be-
come Of Garnar?" asked Pratt.
Il have learned nothing about his
whereabouts. He has vanished. tie
It was who exchanged overcoats With
Stuart Harland," answered Kredge.
He wanted disguise, poor devil. 1
infer he has left this part OF the coun.
try, and we have nothing to hear from
him." said Weeks.
Now, about the division OF the mon
ey. have not received my share yet,
Kredge remarked.
You shall have it; but our mutual
safety demands that we should keep 1t
In trust for you. Don't forget, my man,
.hzs II any OF that marked money was
'fouId in your possession you would be
accused Of John Oakburn's g murder"
said Pratt.
That's so-the money will be safest
with you," assented Kredge.
is not this crippled scoundrel himself
the assassin" reflected, the detective.
Before the night Is over the marked
money will all be hidden where no de-