The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-07-17
90 vet. Edna Garrison may not be

the crime or John OakDurn' murder on
Stuart Harland is clearly discernible
now. The conspirator regarded the
young man with all the hatred such g
nature as his could feel for successful
rival. He had determined to wed Edna
Garrison. Stuart was an obstacle in his
way to be removed. But Pratt was one
who was invariably governed by mer-
cenary motives, and it was remarkable
that go should seek to wed the daughter
of a ruined man.
Stuart Harland received a visit from
Paxton the day following that which
witnessed his interview with the broker
and with his betrothed.
Harland, Of course, preserved profound
secrecy regarding the motive for his Sc
cret journey on the night Of the murder,
but he told Paxton Of the suspicion re-
garding Levi Kredge which had occur
red to him. He also related the incident
of his having detected the janitor listen
ing at the door Of the private Office.
Paxton gained no further information
from Stuart, and he left the young man
after assuring him that he could rely on
him to make every possible effort to de-
tect the cashiers assassin and thus
That Same day Paxton's auxiliary,
who was shadowing Levi Kredge, re-
ported that the fellow was constantly in
secret communication with Pratt b
Weeks, and further, that he had learned
that the treacherous janitor had been
playing the spy at Garrison's Office for a
long time.
You have done we'll, Sayer. am
getting considerably interested in this
Levi Kredge, and I'll relieve you from
duty and take the place Of his shadow
for tonight. I'll take him when he
leaves Garrison's Office tonight" said
Paxton to his agent.
The latter assented, glad Of one night
off duty.
The Office Of Jason Garrison had been
reopened, as usual, on the day following
the settlement of his Indebtedness to
Pratt & Weeks, and business was be-
ing transacted there as heretofore.
Thanks to ON advance Of funds made by
Stanmore, in addition to the cheque
which liquidated Pratt & Weeks
claim, Garrison vas enabled to 60 on
with his business:
Levi Kredge still served as janitor.
Previous to John Oakburn's murder
the janitor who swept the Office after
business hours had always turned the
KEYS over to the old cashier when his
work was done. but now since money
was to be kept in the Office over night,
Kredge was allowed to retain the keys,
that he might open the office in the
morning and arrange it for the business
Of the day, before tho arrival OF the
clerks.
That night after the clerk had left
"Garrison's, Paxton, very cleverly dis
guised, sauntered by the building, and,
seeing his agent on the watch near by,
he signaled him to be off, for he had
seen Kredge enter the Office, and he
meant to begin shadowing him when
he came out.
Darkness had fallen VIXEN Kredge ap-
peared on the street.
The janitor cast swift glance up and
down the street, but he did not observe
Paxton, who stood in the dense black
shadows OF an arched door directly op-
posite.
AS though assured that he was unob-
served, Kredge darted into the passage
where the detective had discovered the
footprints in the soft earth under the
rear window of the brokers' office.
Paxton stole across the street to fol.
low Kredge, and just at that moment
Richard Stanmore turned an adjacent
street corner and the two men came
face to face. =,
The detectives disguise prevented
his recognition by Stanmore, but Pax
ton made himself known with word,
and added, hurriedly:
Il am in pursuit Of Kredge, and I can
not pause q moment. You can accom-
pany me If you like. I need not warn
YOU to observe silence and caution.
Our man has entered the passage yon-
der
Lead on; I am novice in this busi-
ness, but you shall have no cause 10
complain Of indiscretion on my part,
answered Stanmore.
Paxton glided into the passage with
the stealthy tread Of a professional
trailer, and, equally silent in his move
ments, Stanmore followed at his heels.
The detective caught glimpse OF
Kredge's vanishing form as the latter
disappeared at the further end Of the
narrow way, and he gained the extrem-
ity of the passage and peered cautiously
beyond it.
He saw Levi Kredge and his sister
Judith standing in the dark shadows
near the rear door Of Oakburn's fiat.
The secret meeting was, in itself, q
suspicious circumstance, the detective
thought.
Eagerly he listened to the converse.
ton Of Kredge and his sister.
Their voices distinctly reached his ears,
and their words were plainly overheard.
well, did you get the money!" asked
Levi.
aYes; and I mean to keepit," answered
his amiable sister.
aYou won't share with your affection
ate brother, eh'"
NO; this belongs to me.
"That's 30. You are shrewd one,
judith. But take care you don't over
reacn yourself. Marion Uakburn strikes
me as being deep one, too"
Let me alone to look out for myself.
Its an i'll wind that blows nobody
good, and the murder Of John Oakburn
has turned oat to be windfal for us
both"
What have you gainedf How has il
profted your"
Before Paxton heard Kredge's answer,
for which he was listening with absorb
Ing interest, he heard footsteps in the
passage, and he knew that danger OF
discovery was imminent.
CHAPTER XII.
Above all things Paxton desired to
prevent the betrayal Of his presence to
Levi KIedge and his sister, for he was
well aware that the moment suspected
man knew that he was the object of sur