The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-19
where the money he must have saved ia

| where the money he must nave saved 18
deposited or how it is invested2"
mo, sir; my father seldom spoke Of
the matter. I supposed, though, that
! he had accumulated a modest fortune,
| for he used to say that he soon meant to
retire from business and purchase a
| beautiful country residence where he
could raise his own fruit and flowers. He
was very fond of Horticulture and borti-
| ture. From remarks he let fall at diff
| ferent times, / was sure that all his
fortune was locked up in his little safe, |"
the cashiers daughter answered.
This Is strange. There is no money In
the safe, and yet it has not been opened,
l am sure your father had saved large
sum Of money, as have said. He was
eccentric In other matters, may he not
have been 80 in this? think it possible
| he may have secreted his money in some
strange place, his sudden demise pre-
venting his revealing the secret, said
| Garrison.
1T may be 30, sir, but If my fathers
money is never found / shall not want,
| for I recently received legacy Of three
thousand dollars from distant relative,
and then, too, should it become neces-
sary, am willing to work for an honest
| livelihood"
"Bravely spoken, you are noble girl" I"
said Garrison warmly.
Just then Levi Kredge, the Office jani-
tor and the brother Of Judith, entered the
| Office.
he was an undeIsized, thick-set man
and one leg was shorter than the other,
which deformity caused him to walk with
limp. His features resembled his Sis
ter's. He had the same beetling brows
and small yellow eyes. If anything, his
face was even less attractive than his
sisters. Levi Kredge was forty years
Of age and his character was almost the
prototype Of his sister, but he was yet
more cunning than Judith, and he had
cringing, servile air which was all as
sumed. He could fawn and smile upon
q person while at the same time it was
in his heart to strangle him. In short,
he was one Of those treacherous scoun-
drels who are most dangerous because
they are seldom suspected until it is too
late. He had been in Mr.. GarTison's
service for year, and he had come pro-
vided with most excellent recommenda-
tions from Messrs. Pratt & Weeks, his
last employers, whose character was not
at that time known to the broker.
+; Kredge, as far as Mr.. Garrison knew,
had always discharged his duty with
fidelity, and he had never had occasion
to take him to task on that score.
When the janitor entered, MIR. Garri-
son said:
This man is employed as a janitor Of
this building. notified him to be pres
ent although he probably knows nothing
of this sad affair; however, thought it
might be well TO question him."
The coroner directed that Kredge
should be sworn, and after the oath was
administered he questioned him, but
nothing was elected of any interest.
While Levi Kredge was being ques-
toned the president Of the bank at
which the unfortunate cashier had re-
! ceived the money for the cheque Of S78,-
900 entered the office, accompanied by
tall, handsome old gentleman with per-
fectly statuesque features, magnificent
dark eyes, white hair and a beautiful
flowing beard like driven snow.
The old gentleman was dressed with
simple elegance, indicative Of good taste
and breeding, but diamond OF almost
priceless value sparkled in his black
neck-scari, and he carried heavy gold
headed cane.
The stately old gentleman was an en-
tire stranger to every one present, and,
although he entered at the same time as
the bank president, it vas clear that
they were pot acquainted: :sses.:: .--:,-
Tie "le banker addressed q fey Words TO
the coroner, and then the two retired to
the interior Office and closed the door,
but a moment subsequently the latter
reappeared and invited Paxton and the
police sergeant to join him.
The detective and the officer Of police
entered the rear office, and when the
door had been carefully closed behind
them the coroner said:
Il desire that you should hear sur
prising statement which Mr.. Southwell
has to make, but which would lose its
value if it should be made public"
Paxton felt that some important dis
closure relating to the crime was coming.