The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-12
A M[DN[CHP
TRAGEDY;
Tle Crime Of The
: Brokers Office.
w. F.. MOTT.
w. F. MOTT.
CHAPTER II.-(ContinueD.ss

make some discovery which might escape
his own unguided observation, and he
noted all Paxton saw.
1t was Mr.. PaXton's method never to
ask any questions until he had thorough
ly examined the scene Of crime, and
thus in the first instance his mind was
unbiased by what might be told him.
! Now having concluded his investiga-
ton for the present, he addressed sew
ersl questions to Marion and Judith
Kredge.
"Miss Oakburn, did you hear the re-
port Of pistol or any unusual sound
before you discovered your father?" he
asked.
mo, sir, I heard nothing, although I
have not slept tonight" answered
Marion.
aAnd did you hear nothfng?" contin-
ned Paxton, turning to Judith kredge
aNothing, s.r," she replied.
+ "When you came to the Office, think
you told the policeman that you found
the door unlocked?" Paxton went on,
now addressing Marion
ayes, sir, it was unlocked" -...
HAnd the street door,"
il Marion turned to Judith.
i THAT was also unlocked and unbolted,
as found when I went to open it., the
woman said.
@Was there any one besides you and
this woman in your apartments tonight,
Miss Oakburn?"
Marion hesitated for moment, and
then she said:
@Mr. Stuart Harand, clerk employed
by Mr. Garrison, occupied our front
room directly over the Office.
1But he is not there now, sir. ran
up to his room as Sooh as we discovered
that Mr.. Oakburn was murdered. am
sure I don't know what can have be-
come of him. for he went to his room as
usual quite late, and as sleep in room
adjoining his heard him moving about
q few moments before Miss Marion
trapped at my door and asked me to go
down and look for her father. l no.
ticsd when looked into his room that
his traveling-bag was gone," said judith
Kredge.
t Marion's face assumed an expression
of absolute agony, and she gave Judith
Kredge o glance full OF aversion and
fear.
Mr.. Paxton and the police sergeant ex-
changed significant glances.
Excuse me moment" said the de-
tective, and he slipped out of the Office.
He returned very quickly, for he had
only run up to Stuart Harland's apart
ment and hastily searched it. He dis
covered nothing except that the bed had
not been opened that night.
| A short consultation between the de.
tective and the police sergeant ensued,
and the latter said:
~You are right, sir; Mr.. Garrison
should be sent for at once"
: Acting upon this decision, he dis
patched one Of his men to the brokers'
residence with hastily written note
containing information of the tragedy
which had been enacted at his Office.
Marion. seemingly exhausted by grief
and excitement, had seated herself be-
side her dead father, and with her face
buried in her hands she remained silent
and motionless, while Judith Kredge
stood by window end listened eagerly
to conversation which was carried on
IN low tones between the police sergeant
and oGe Of his men.
j. Judith Kredge did not possess good
face; rather it was one to awaken dis
trust in the mind Of the observer. She
hal a low, retreat:ng forehead, large
coarse features, thin bloodleSs lips, and
small yellow eyes set clo:e together un,
der beetling brows. Her age was about
fifty. Her life had not been cast in
pleasant places, and she had grown
70 hate those who were happy be-
cause she was not so. She was ea-
ivious OF all persons who were in the
possession of the advantages Of life of
which fate had deprived her. In dispo-
sition she was vindictive and cruel She
was cunning, unScrupulous and daring
10 certain degree, and avarice domin-
iated every other passion in her heart.
Just at this moment there Nere
stransc thoughts in Judith Kredge's
mind. She was plotting seemingly 10
night OF murder to her own profit.
MIR. Jason Garrison, the broker, ar
rived in less than thirty minutes, and he
was pale and aSitated.
Suspense and anxiety were written
,Ccon his features as he burst into the
Office. and as though obliv!ous to the
presence OF anyone rushed TO John Oak
burns desk and began to eyamiue file
tof cheques which ne took from a drawer.
Ills hands trcnh:cd tho while so that he
could scarcely hold tho papers, and he
3e1per.aaced tic kren agony of game.
stcr. to %hom the turning OF card or
,.he calling Crt of e number is almost a
matter uf life or death, as he ran over
the fllc of chc rrcs
@uo is searching for something OF vi.
tnl importance to his interest,"" said
Paxton, sotto voce.
~Nou mere! There is one chance left"
exclaimed Jason Garrison, totally un'
conscious that he spoke, and turning to
n small memorandum book he hurriedly
looked over its pages.
Tho next moment the book fell from
his ncrvclcss grasp, and he sank for
ward as though Frustrated by nervous
shock.
II am ruined mani" he exclaimed.
Paxton quickly sprang to his side.
@You have sustained serious loss oy
this robbery, sir?" he asked.
Jason Garrison raised his pale, nag
card face, and, bringing his clenched hsl
down upon the desk with force, cried,
fiercely:
Il tell you, man, am ruined Hope
1essly ruined"
Then there was large sum of money
in the safe?" asked Paxton.
GYes, sir.
81 am detective. and I am sure, my
dear cir that IL will he to yOur interest