The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-08-21
A: MIDNIGHT ,
TRAGEDY;
-OR-
fl8 Crime Of The
Brokers Office.
w. F. MOTT.
w. F. MOTT.
CHAPTER xN.-Cont1nued.

raped upon the door, and he alone was
there.
When the old woman had unlocked
the door, Paxton opened 1t, and as he
was about to leave he said, mockingly
Good evening, Mrs. Kits, I trust
Vol will find your accounts all right.
And turning to the man he added:
Much obliged to you, my friend, for
your kindly intention OF plunging your
knife into my back, but I've constItu-
tonal prejudice againstsuch little pleas
antries."
The next moment the door closed be-
hind Paxton, and he and his assistant
hurried away. 49,.
Defeat, defeat, nothing but defeat!
muttered the detective disconsolately.
But when they were at safe distance,
he asked Of his comrade:
In the name Of all mundane wonders,
how came you to discover that my dis
guise was penetrated?"
There is window in the side OF the
room back of the one in which you were.
When the old woman went into the rear
room I was at the window, and through
an opening in the blind I saw her tell
the man who was there something.
He sprang up, and drawing his knife,
started for the door. Though l couldn' t
hear q word, knew we'll enough that
the old woman had discovered you were
not Crawley, and told the man, who, act
ing upon the impulse Of the moment,
meant to attack you. ..
AS the man sprang forward, the old
woman caught his arm and spoke to him,
90 knew she objected to an immediate
or precipitate attack.
II glided to the window at which you
were seated beside the desk, and tele-
Rraphed you when I saw the wretch
stealing behind you with his knife
drawn"
Thus Paxton's assistant explained.
you saved my life," answered Pax
bon, earnestly, and he continued: 1T is
dlsheartening to find that all my care
and labor in perfecting the disguise, In
creating this character, is lost. begin
30 think that in this case an adverse fate
shadows my every step; am at least
experiencing run Of ill-luck."
As he spoke the detective paused un-
der street lamp, and producing the let
ter which he had found in the house from
which he had just escaped, he told his
companion how he came by it, and then
proceeded to read it.
The letter ran as follows:
MRS. KITS: II anything should oc-
cur to make you think the girl is not
safe with you, get her to Malvin.s. Your
friend, L. K"
Il. K, Levi Kredge. This is too good
20 be true. I recognize the rascally
ianitor's handwriting. Kredge wrote
this note, I am sure Of that. By the
girl he means Marion Oakburn. Since
Ihe is no longer at Mrs. kits, I
suspect che has been sent to Malvin's
IN accordance with the janitor's instruc-
lions"
Thus said Paxton:
-Malvin's! Malvin'sl' muttered his
eomrade, refectingly.
do you know the placer" asked Pax
ton.
-The name sounds familiar
-Ransack your memory. Try and re-
collect if you have any knowledge OF
the party called Malvin.
Paxton's companion was silent for q
moment, and then he exclaimed:
II have it! I know where Malvin is,
This confirms suspicion Of mine"
Explain. WHO'S this Malvin? Where
does he dwell2"
HE is man lately from my native
city, Philadelphia, who was formerly
criminal. He was said to have reform.
Cd, and he came to New York.
Il haven't heard his name in long
time until the other day, when CHANGED
TO see it on bail-bond in the Criminal
learned that Malvin was in the habit OF
going bail for criminals. 1t is my sus-
picion that he Is still secretly leagued
with the dangerous characters Of this
and other cities. He lives in Harlem,
No. - S street."
Good. This is most fortunate. My
disguise may serve me we'll after all
Now I remember when called ut Ajas
Crawley's Office found letter on bis
desk addressed to Wilkes Malvin, Har.
lem, but do not recollect the street and
number" said Paxton.
wilkes Malvin is our man, answered
the other.
Then Ajax Crawley has business with
him or be would not have addressed hin
. letter. No time like the present. III
visit this Malvin as Ajax Crawley," con.
hnued Paxton.
The two detectives took car to Har-
lem, and soon reached the residence OF
the man they now believed to be IN
league with Levi Kredge.
After giving his associate some In
6tructions Paxton rang the bell, and he
was admitted to Malvin's house.
Paxton's assistant experienced some
misgivings as he saw the door close be-
hind his principal.
MaIvin himself admitted P Paxton. and.
deceived by his perfect disguise, ushered
him into the house, addressing him as
Ajax Crawley.
The man led the way to an interior
apartment, and, opening the door, dis
closed an assemblage OF half dozen
men.
At one glance Paxton recognized them
ss desperate men, well known to the
police, but who managed to kesp beyond
the reach Of the law.
Among the selected company the de-
tective saw Levi kredge, the Janltor.
Paxton was we'll aware that every
man in the room hated and feared him,
and it an experience to try his nerves
as he was ushercd into the midst Of this
company of foes, for he knew that every
moment he was among them was fraught
with deadly peril.
Meanwhile, concealed without. the de-
tective's agent watched and waited, but
es the time went by and Paxton's stay
In the house was unreasonably pro.
longed he became anxious, and he said
8o himself:
Can it be that they have led him into
some trap?" Even as he thus reflected
he heard the sound of some commotion