The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-11
A *MlDulCHF
TRAGEDY;
lflB: Clil9qf' The
Brokers Office
w. e. MOTE.
W.. e. MOTT.
CHAPTER XVIII.

his way to visit Judith Kredge, in answer
to her letter, Stanmore was also settlne
out to secretly call upon the Janitor'
sister.
Stanmore was approaching Garrison e
Office from one direction, while Paxton
was coming toward it from an exactly
opposite way.
The former had almost arrived at his
destination, when he discovered the de.
tective, and believing that Paxton had
not seen him he crossed the street and
hurried around the next corner. he
fancied that the detective would not ap.
prove Of the plan he had in mind, and
which prompted him to clandestinely
visit Judith Kredge.
Peering around the corner OF the
building, at the streets junction, which
he had gained, Stanmore saw Paxton
enter Judith's abode, and he resolved
to remain where he was until the de-
tective took his departure. .
The note which Paxton had received
from Judith Kredge stated that she had
Just discovered letter which Marion
Oakburn had left behind her, and that
she wished him to see it at once, as it
contained terrible disclosure.
When Paxton entered the Garrison
building he was admitted by Judith. and
almost Immediately the woman produced
letter, which she declared she had just
found in Marions room, where she
thought the detective must have over
looked it when he searched the apart
ment.
:. Paxton had previously obtained q
specimen Of Marion's handwriting, and
he saw that either the letter given him
by Judith Kredge was a genuine docu-
ment or a clever forgery, such as only
an expert in photographic Identification
could detect.
The substance OF the letter signed by
Marion Oakburn, with her name in full,
was terrible confession.
We will not reproduce the letter in
full; suffice it to say that it plainly
stated that Marion murdered her father.
When he had mastered the contents
of this letter, Paxton reflected for some
time in silence, and his good Judgment
whispered that it must be forgery.
a criminal flying from justice never
yet left such confession behind him,
thought tle detective.
Judith watched the detectives face as
he read the letter, as though she was
seeking to read his thoughts, but his face
was now as immovable as mask, and 1t
told her nothing.
If this letter is not a forgery, then
the secret Of John Oakburn's fate is re-
veaied. 1 shall find a way to decide
that question soon," said Paxton; and
taking the letter with him, he soon after
left Judith's abode.
Although he had not betrayed the
fact, Paxton saw Stanmore as he was
approaching the Garrison building, and
he saw the latter dodge across the
street to avoid him.
There is something strange in Stan
more's conduct, thought Paxton, glanc-
ing about as he came out Of the Garrison
building.
A moment later he saw Stanmore at
the corner, but he passed on as though
he had not seen him, and entered @
shop.
Then Stanmore hastened to the door
of the Garrison building.
Through the shop window Paxton saw
Stanmore leave his post at the corner,
and the detective followed him, and saw
self just left.
Wondering what Stanmore's business
with Judith Kredge could be, the detec-
tive left the vicinity, and took his way
homeward.
He passed the Office Of Pratt & Weeks,
and although oil was darkness there,
could he have seen within the private
Office Of the firm, he would have OBJ
served Pratt and his partner going over
their accounts, and striving to find a
way out Of the financial difficulties in
which they had become involved.
The railway stocks, upon the rise Of
which all their hopes depended, were
steadily declining in value, and the ras-
cally brokers felt that they were ruined,
unless they could use the marked
money.
Il will tell you, Weeks, there's no use
of concealing it from ourselves any
longer. We're ioored. The marked
money must be used!" cried Pratt, dash
ing down his pen savagely.
1T has about come to the worst, that
Is sure" assented Weeks.
Pratt paced the floor, and said:
Il mean to take the risk, and attempt
to realize on the marked money. Un-
fortunately, all our attempts to remove
the marks so that they might not betray
us, have failed. They could not be OBJ
liberated without defacing the note so as
to attract suspicion"
But while Paxton passed onward By
the swindling brokers' office, there were
some startling reflections in his mind,
founded upon the discovery he had made
when he examined the locket belonging
to Mari0S, which Judith Kredge had
pawned, and also relating to his dlscov.
cry of Stanmore's secret interviews with
Judith.
The discovery which the sight Of the
portrait in the locket caused Paxton to
make, and the suspicious and theories
which the detective founded upon that
discovery, will presently be made cleal
10 the reader.
But what was the motive for Stan
nore's visit to Judith kredge?
He belierad the woman knew where
Marion was, and NO meant to br1oe mel
10 save the cashiers daughter, to liber-
ate her.
The interview between Stanmore ano
Judith need not be recorded IN full, Du'
we may as well state that the 1ormel
eesured the woman that he was con,
vinccd she knew where Marion was ant
he offered any price if she would accom-
plish her rescue.
But Judith still protested that she wa:
entirely innocent on the subject, anc
Etanmore was obliged to leave Wl6hou'
ACCOMPLISHING anything.
me following day stranger callec
upon Stanmore at his hotel, and placing
letter in his hand hurried away with
out a word.
Stanmnrn WAS nstnnishnd nt the mans