The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-07-17
Paxton caught his words as he said:

Paxton caught his words as he said:
well, 1 must be off; give her the
note"
Il will do 80" answered Judith.
Paxton knew that Kredge would trav.
erse the passage, and seizing his COM
panlon's arm he said:
"Quickl We must get to the street
before we are discovered"
They swiftly and silently retraced
their way through the passage and
reached the arched door opposite where
Paxton had stood when he sighted
Kredge as he came out Of the office.
The janitor soon came out upon the
street and hurried away.
Il shall not follow him now; I've an
idea we shall learn more by watching
hereabouts. I noticed light in the
window at the rear of the house. Let
us creep back and take an observation
of Judith Kredge at home. suspect
Levi brought her a note for some one
1 should like to be positive whether II
was for Marion Oakburn, as naturally
suspect it must be-, said Paxton.
They reached the rear Of Garrison e
Office again in few moments and crept
to a Window through which the light
streamed, and which was in an apart
ment belonging to Oakburn's suite oi
rooms, though it was on the ground
floor.
Crouching beside tho window the de-
rective and his companion peered into
the brilliantly lighted room beynud. a
glance told them that the apartment
served for kitchen, and they saw
Marion Oakburn and Judith Kredge.
The cashiers daughter stood in the
center Of the room, listening with sur
prised and startled expression on her
pale features to something Judith
Kredge was telling her. But Paxton
could not hear word that was spoken
IN the apartment.
Presently Judith drew O letter from
her pocket, and handed it to Marion.
The latter hastily read the missive.
Then she sa,d something IN an excited
way and cast the letter into the kitchen
fire where it was instantly consumed.
Drawing photograph from her bosom
Marion held it up for Judith to see, and
Paxton and Stanmore both obtained an
excellent view Of the pictured face.
Stanmore staggered back from the
window with IN ejaculation Of surprise
which Paxton feared would betray their
presence.
AS for the detective he was never more
surprised in all his life, but he betrayed
little emotion, for he was used to sur
prise and Injured to meeting with the
unexpected.
There was the most excellent reason
for astonishment, however, for. the pho
tcgraph which Marion Oakburn had pro-
duced was that of young man with
light hair and mustache who had scar
above one eyebrow.
Paxton and Stanmore believed they
recognized the man who had exchanged
overcoats with Stuart Harland, and
whom they thought to be the assassin Of
Marion father.
The picture corresponded perfectly
with the description Of the unknown
given by both Stuart and the night
watchman.
what mystery is this? What re-
markable complication Of this strange
crime have we stumbled upon now"
muttered Paxton, and flood Of sug-
gestive thoughts permeated-hlled his
mind.
The daughter Of the murdered man
has the picture of the assassin. What
can it mean?" whispered Stanmore.
1T is q perplexing puzzle. But see,
she replaces the photograph In her
bosom. She seems to treasure tho pio-
ture Of the supposed assassin. Can it be
that she knows OF his connection with
the murder of her father, and yet means
to shield him, or is she ignorant Of What
we suspect?" said Paxton, as he saw
Marion restore the picture to its hiding
place. rs it possible the man We sus-
pect is secretly Marion Oakburn' lover2
he added, as the thought entered his
mind.
There was q fash Of rage in Stan
morc's eyes as he heard him.
mo, thousand times no! That girl
is as pure as the driven snow and as in
nocclt as one of the angels, he Kissed.
Ee had clutched Paxton's arm with a
visa-like grasp.
You will excuse me mentioning 1t,
but you are crushing my arm, said Pax
ton, quietly.
GtanInore released him, and the de-
tective wonderingly observed that he
was trembling from head to foot, as
though shaken by some powerful emo
ton.
ITo DE CONTINUED.