The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-04

breathe, and he went out reeling like
drunken man.
Have I done right in telling all this7"
asked Stuart Of Paxton.
You have. Justice demands that oil
possible light should be cast upon this
case" answered the detective.
Judith Kredge seemed delighted az
Stuart's unexpected confirmation Of her
statement.
Now you will believe mel" she cried.
yes, we believe your statement that
you saw Marion Oakburn as described,
but we do not yet admit her guilt as
proven" answered Paxton.
III more evidence is wanted, it is fur.
nished by her flight. She ran away be-
cause she became alarmed and feared
she would be arrested" continued Ju-
dith.
And 80 you are guilty Of compound
ing felony, Miss Judith, said Paxton
suddenly.
II don't comprehend"
II presume not. Let me refresh your
memory. Marion Oakburn bribed you
to keep it a secret that you saw her
leave the office on the night of the MUIR
der"
mo! MOI"
II know it Is true. You wrung the
last dollar she possessed from that poor
girl, and also suspect you compelled
her to give you her jewelry."
1JlS'1aISe.
I'VE have facnlty for making discov-
cries. know all about your bank ao-
count, and I have seen Marion Oak
burns locket which was pawned by
you.
Il deny it,"
1T will do you no good to deny what
we can prove. 1t is a criminal offense
to compound felony, or in other words
to conceal crime. If you expect any
mercy at my hands, truthfully answer
my questions. Do you know where
Levi was at the time Of the murderf"
"No, SIR" answered judith.
do you know where Marion Oak
burn is2"
NO"
Paxton reflected for a moment in this
wise:
Since she has powerful motive in
seeking to place the crime on some one
besides her brother, were it not that
Stuart Harland has confirmed her story,
I should not credit it. And yet If Ma
rion Oakburn is innocent, why did she
Presently he said to Judith:
We will accompany you home. I
want to see the pistol you say is con-
cealed in Marion Oakburn's trunk.
Judith assented.
AS they were leaving the Office, Stan
more re-entered, and being informed OF
their contemplated visit to Oakburn's
apartment, he accompanied them.
Upon their arrival at the house, Judith
led the way directly to Marion's room,
and the others followed her.
Entering Marion's apartment, Judith
said, pointing to trunk:
Search for yourselves"
The trunk was locked, but Paxton
forced the lid, and in a moment he dis
covered strange e-looking pistol Of large
caliber at the bottom Of the trunk.
1t was indeed the very weapon that
Marion Oakburn concealed there on the
night Of the murder.
Eagerly Paxton examined it.
1T is an air pistol, he said In q mo-
ment.
Then producing the large peculiar
Sudpcu UullcO utlN SbuoOo oSAh
Oakburn's death he added:
Now for the supreme test. II this is
the pistol from which the shot that xllled
Oakburn was discharged, this bullet
will fit it.
Then he tried the bullet in the pistol
There was no longer doubt.
The bullet fitted the pistol perfectly.
xryf% hrryhi oh
Oakburn was killed." said Paxton, now
fully convinced on this point.
Il told you so, said Judith, triumph
antly.
This is all conspiracy. II Marion
Oakburn was guilty, common prudence
would have told her not to leave the
pistol behind when she left her home,
said Stanmore.
Assuming that she was abducted, she
had no opportunity to secure the pistol
and take it with her," said Paxton.
The detective made further search
Of the room.
He hoped to make further discoveries.
But his quest was not rewarded.
On the hearth, however, he noticed a
heap Of ashes, wlTsre it seemed mass
of letters had recently been consumed.
There was nothing further to be &C.
complished in the apartment, 1t seemed,
and so the detective and his companions
withdrew.
Before he left the house Paxton said
to Judith:
Mark me, woman, you are at my
mercy, and if you attempt to interfere
with E1y effort to get at the truth OF this
murder mystery, you will be called to
answer to the charge of compromising
felony. Who knows but you might be
suspected Of being Marion Oakburn's
accomplice, if she is guilty?"
On the street without the house the
three men separated.
Paxton continued on alone in the di.
rection Of his office.
He chanced to enter little notion
shop near Garrison Office, where lit
tie near sighted old man and his wife
alone attended to the wants Of their GUS
toners.
The detective made the small pur-
chase which was the reason for his cali,
an d In payment for the same he was
obliged to tenoer O twenty-dollar note.
In change, besides some smaller ones,
he received en-dollar greenback.
Paxton was folding the bank note to
place it In his pocket-book, when he
made a discovery that was complete
surprise. He saw the bill was marked
precisely like the money which had dis
appeared from Garrison's office on the
night OF the murder.
Paxton concealed the excitement this
discovery naturally occasioned him,
and, by dint Of skillful inquiries, he