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

TSo be it then. Let this farce con-
tinue to the end," and he bowed his
head.
The officer named came forward and
proceeded to search him.
He first examined Stuart's overcoat
pockets, and Stuart assisted him, saying
confidently:
You will find nothing to reward you.
I'VE shall see" answered Police Ser
geant Smith, gruffly.
Presently, the officer thrust his hand in
to the inside pocket Of the young mans
overcoat and drew out number Of wax
Impressions Of locks and skeleton keys.
He held them up to the sight Of all,
exclaiming:
Il thought 30. Here is the proof We
were in search OIL"
Stuart Harland staggered like one sud-
denly seized with an overwhelming
vertigo.
This is fatel I had forgotten about
the cast; I am lost!" he exclaimed,
scarcely knowing what he said.
This last startling discovery produced
q profound sensation and the greatest
excitement.
Mr.. Garrison was like one stunned by
q heavy blow.
Marion Oakburn, with her hands
clasped upon her heart, and an agonized
look in her eyes, covered in her chair.
Paxon was absolutely amazed.
Had a thunderbolt descended at his
feet the detective could not have been
more disconnected.
or1J<
dence Of the guilt Of the man for whose
innocence he had vouched in the strong.
est terms.
The detectives prophesied opinion
seemed to be proven worthless before ali
the assemblage, and he felt abashed,
humiiated and defeated.
The police sergeant was exultant.
who was right, friend Paxton?" he
said jeeringly. What has become Of all
your flnc theory Of this mans innocencei
I grant you it was stupid for him to run
away as he did after committing the
crime, but his conduct was not without
precedent. The great Vidocq used to
explain tho stupidity Of certain crimes
committed by men Of superior intell-
gence, by saying that they act under the
luuUcuCc VI o h1uu VI VOL UlSO' LAoo ehOy
become dazed after the crimes"
Quite true, recollect the theory, but
mark my words your suspicion is all
wrong despite its apparent confirmation.
The mystery Of John Oakburn's fate Ia
still as far from being solved as ever
said Paxton in reply, but he could not
avoid betraying some Of the discontinue
which the last denouement had occasion.
ed him.
Stuart Harland regained his COM
posure to some extent in moment OF
80, and he muttered:
This Is destiny. The immutable Law
of bad luck is not to be abrogated. II
follows me throughout this entire unfor.
tunate affair"
Aloud he said:
II believe that can convince you that
I was entirely ignorant that the articles
just discovered were in my possession
"One moment, sir, and we will heaI
you" answered the coroner, and taking
the skeleton keys from the police ser.
geant he tried one Of them in the safe.
The key entered the lock, but it would
not move the bolt. The other keys were
made for the door locks, and turning to
the Office door he tried one Of them, find.
ing that it fitted the lock perfectly. He
tried the other key in the lock Of the
street door and found that it also was
perfect fit. That the door could be
locked and unlocked by means Of it with
ease.
The coroner then examined the wal
impressions and found that they hat
been taken from the locks Of the street
door, the Office door and the safe.
"Ah," said the coroner, refectivelyi
"the intricate mechanism Of the safe
lock resisted the skeleton key, and SO II
was necessary that the robber should
have the key John Oakburn carried"
But what need had Stuart Harland oI
skeleton key 20, the front door," ven
tured Paxton, suggestively.
The coroner shook his head doubtfully
and turning to Stuart again he noted
that there was marked decadence ir
his manner from the confident air he
had worn when he entered the office.
you may proceed with your state.
ment now" the official said.
Thank you, sir, I will tell you how II
is that those eliminating keys and the
impressions Of the locks must have come
into ny possession without my knowl..
edge" said Stuart. He paused for an
instant as though to collect his thoughts
At last the young man fully compre.
hended the terrible nature Of the accuse.
tion which had been brought against
him and realized the deadly peril Of his
sifuafion 49,.
He began to speak, again, when sud.
denly there was another commotion at
the door and loud voice was heard to
call out:
Here is new evidence to throw light
on the mystery Of the murder!"
A hope arose in Stuart's heart that
something had been discovered to prove
his innocence. At the same time there
was in his mind dread lest some new
was to be brought against
him.
There was moment Of suspense.
CHAPTER VII
A man push I'D his way into the office,
.-l Gyo6 ,,rnp fhic 1oof