The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-08-21

ne ran to the entrance Of the alley
where he had left his agent, and failing
to discover him, he called his name. OF
course he received no reply.
Il comprehend. The rascals have
made off with the girl, and Sayer has
followed them!" cried Paxton.
His assistant on the present occasion
was the man Sayer, whom we had ooca-
sion to previously name.
Although Paxton was quite confident
that it would be fruitless proceeding,
he determined to search the house.
In answer to his demand for adm1s-
sion colored man opened the door.
This one negro was the only person
found in the house and from him Paxton
was unable to gain any information.
He professed entire ignorance as to
the whereabouts Of any Of the recent
inmates of the house.
There is nothing for 1t but to return
to my Office and await Sayer's return.
He will trail Marion Oakburn to the new
hiding place to which she has been
taken" cried Paxton when the search Of
the house was concluded.
He dismissed the police and returned
to his own quarters.
Meanwhile, but q few moments after
Paxton and the police left Malvin's,
Sayer, who had sufficiently recovered to
do 30, returned to his old hiding place
In the alley.
The blow which he had received had
been dealt by Levi Kredge. The janitor
discovered him perched on the carriage
springs, and clubbing his pistol, he
reached through the window In the rear
Of the vehicle, and dealt the blow which
felled the detectives agent to the
ground.
After waiting in the alley for reason
able length Of time, Sayer, concluded
that he had missed his principal, and so
he made his way to the office and re-
ported.
agined.
I'VE have lost the trail completely this
time, unless the carriage and the driver
Of the vehicle can be identified. Did
YOU notice the number Of the cab?" he
asked.
Yes. It was number ILL.,"
Find that cab in the morning, and
then report, ordered Paxton, and then
he dismissed his agent.
. Saver made an investigation relating
to the discovery Of cab No. iii, and the
result was that he obtained trustworthy
information that the cab licensed under
that number was not out at all the pre-
ceding night.
The detectives agent was forced to
the conclusion that the cab in which
Marion had been carried away was one
of those unlicensed vehicles called
Night Hawks" which in violation OF q
city ordinance are driven by night, and
upon which different number is traced
every night, or even more frequently, In
order to baf1e the police.
As usual Paxton received a call from
his patron, Mr.. Stanmore, the next day,
and the two discussed the situation now
presented by the perplexing mystery In
which they were both 30 deeply In
terested.'
Stanmore seemed even more anxious
than ever for Marion's safety.
Paxton assured him that despite her
mysterious conduct at the house OF Mrs.
Kit, the cashiers daughter was now
really captive in the power OF Levi
Kredge and his confederates.
Il knew she had been abducted"
cried stanmore.
Then Paxton told him Of his brief in
terview with Marion in Marvin's house,
and he repeated her words exactly.
Stanmore sprang to his feet and ex-
citedly made the transit of the room
several times while he muttered:
Il would give oil my fortune to save
her!"
.Ah!" thought Paxton. i wonder
what your secret is, friend Stanmore.
It's clear you take surprising interest
in this girl. If mistake not there is
mystery Of the past behind your con-
duct.
Stanmore knew not that his thoughts
had found expression in words.
The interview lasted for some time.
While Paxton and his agent were
thereafter continuing the quest for Levi
Kredge and Marion Oakburn, Stuart
Harland was wandering about the city
day and night. hoping he might chance
to meet the supposed assassin who had
exchanged coats with him on the rail-
way train.