The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-26
CHAPTER vi.

then the inquest proceeded and new and
startling developments ensued.
CHAPTER vi.
my explanation is most simple. can
only say that important business called
me away suddenly, and did not see fit
to publish the fact Of my intended de-
parture. AS for my having any connec>
ton with this crime, those who know me
will not for moment entertain such 9
thought. For the assurance Of stran-
gers, might further protest my inno<
cence, but it Is unnecessary to do So. II
is no secret that firm friendship existl
ed between myself and John Oakburn,
said Stuart Harland, at last.
His frank and fearless manner troubled
the police sergeant who had caused hia
arrest, and he hitched about in his chai'
nervously, while he tried to devise some
trap which might lead Harland to GRIM
mate himself.
He thought Of the old CONFORMATION
ruse, as the detectives term it, and sud-
denly arising he said to Stuart:
Look here, sirl"
The young man promptly stepped to
the side Of the police sergeant, who then
turned to the body of the murdered man
and suddenly uncovered his face.
If the police sergeant anticipated that
Stuart would recoil and manifest all the
terror Of guilt at the sight Of the dead
face of John Oakburn, he was greatly
disappointed.
Such was not the result.
Stuart gazed sadly upon the CHASTITY
features Of the ca cashier, and not the
faintest evidence, such as the police SER
geant hoped to elicit, was discernible in
his manner.
This is foul crime. The murderer
must be discovered. Poor John Oak
burn must be avenged" said Stuart,
earnestly.
His voice and manner were 80 natur-
ally sincere that those who heard him
were impressed.
Even the Coroner's voice sounded more
kindly as he proceeded to question Stu
| art, when it was quite evident to all that
the police sergeant's ancient test had
utterly failed.
AT what time did you leave the
house last night, Mr.. Harland?" was the
first question propounded by the Cor
oner.
1T was not quite one o'clock. I had
set my alarm-clock to ring at one pre-
cisely, and without removing my cloth
ing, fell asleep. was awakened by
some loud noise, though what it was
cannot tell. Springing up, glanced at
the clock, and saw it was exactly twenty
minutes Of one o'clock. left the house
in few minutes"
@Ah! he confesses he was in the house
| at the time Of the murder. He does not
| know about the clock that was overturned
here, and that the time Of the assassina-
ton has been positively determined
whispered the police sergeant, turning
to Paxton.
Wait until the examination Is con-
cluded-restrain your exultation until
| then," retorted the detective.
why did you leave suddenly last
night, as you did2" the Coroner then
asked.
Il have told you that I was called
away by important business; was on
my way to see friend Of mine"
But you have not told US what the
nature Of your business was"
1T was strictly private matter. II
had nc reference to this unfortunate
affair"
Perhaps 50. But you can at least
tell US your friends manner"
Stuart hesitated for moment, and
then he said:
His name is James Sanborn."
At the mention of that name, Mr.. Gar
rison gave violent start and he thought:
There is no longer shadow Of
doubt. Stuart knows all, but he means
to shield me. It Is because am Edna's
father. For my daughters sake, he will
imperil himself rather than reveal the
truth. He is noble fellow. How un-
worthy T am Of such friendship as his!"
Then you decline to give US plain,
straightforward explanation Of your con-
duct. I warn you, Mr.. Harland, that
your own interest demands that you
should conceal nothing" said the Coro-
ner.
Il can say no more; another than my
self is concerned" replied Stuart.
Very well, sir; Mr.. Sanborn, the gen.
tleman with whom you say you had busi-
ness, shall be questioned.
Stuart bit his lips. Mr.. Garrison
turned white as death, and the Coroner
smiled at his victims discontinue as he
said blandly: g = : :. -: -.
You had not thought OF that, see.
Stuart's eyes blazed with widespread
light, but he restrained the angry retort
that arose to his lips and remained
silent.
Tne Coroner questioned Stuart further,
but nothing worthy Of note was elected.
Stuart adhered determined1y to the
policy which he had adopted, and be
could not be induced to reveal what the
motive of the midnight journey was.
Paxton regarded the course Of the
suspected man as absolutely suicidal.
He is endangering his life, he said
to Mr.. Garrison.
The broker groaned.
He knew now that II he advised Stu
art Harland to tell the whole truth, he
would advise his own exposure. He
could not make that sacrifice, for his
was not the noble, heroic character
which the Creator had given Stuart
Harland.
The agitation and excitement Of the
broker had awakened vague suspicion
in the mind Of the detective that per.
haps the former knew more than he
would have dared to confess about the
business which had called Stuart Har-
land away on the night Of the murder.
Paxton's mind was filled with sur
mises and conjectures, but the widest
Of them all fell far short o. the startling
truth which future developments were