The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-21

"The burning question which arose be
fore the trial. and which still remains
unanswered. IS what has become Of the
old woman's money? The house was
searched from top 10 bottom. and Of the
whole $500 she received from the rail-
way company only e was foUnd-and
found under such circumstances as SEEM
ingly 10 establish Roses guilt. Her box.
which she had brought with her 10 the
Hollow Farm. was taken charge Of by the
police and examined, and there II was
that the damning piece Of evidence against
her was discovered-a new crisp - Bank
of England note. which was proved 10 be
one of those which had been paid over
the bank counter TO the deceased. II was
carefully folded. and an attempt had
apparently been made TO conceal it. Rose
had stated that she had never received
one penny from her aunt; how. then did
this IS note come into her possession? She
could give 10 account Of it, and denied
that she had ever seen il before, a de-
NAL which. Of course would have been
made by any person accused Of crime.
Everything was against her at the trial;
the circumstanual evidence was very
strong. tho defense very weak She Is a
well-built young woman, strong enough
to kill the old woman in the way described
by the doctor, and the judge swept aside
the sentimental appeal made by her coun,
sci TO the jury. The verdict was guilty.
with a recommends ton 10 mercy, which.
fortunately for the poor girl. was carried
into effect.
Now 10 describe how the case has
come into my hands. Roses sweetheart,
the stonemason, Lowell. contrived TO get
together f55. and with the money in his
pocket he travels TO London and consults
me. He has also managed 10 interest a
number of influential people in his be-
half, among them the clergyman Of the
church TO which he belongs who has
a good opinion OF him, and also Of Rose.
with whose character he became acquaint-
ed when she was living in his district.
This gentleman has the promise Of a hun
dred pounds, which is offered as a reward
for proof of Roses innocense But the
money Is nothing in comparison with the
credit We shall get IL We succeed"
1T is the story, quite as much as the
compensation l said. that interests me.
Take up a broken thread Bartlett You
said we commence in this house. Explain
yourself
Il have had the case IN hand, " he replied.
for six days. and l have beeh down to the
Hollow Farm to reconnoitre and investi-
gate. No one lives in 1t now; IL is quite de-
serted. One special point fixed itself in my
mind. Mrs. Frazer had a passion for hav-
ing her fortune told-a common craze.
Rose stated that she had heard her mutter
Il must go and have my fortune told. I
must go and have my fortune told"
and that she was in the habit of going out
alone at night, presumably for that pur-
pose. Now, by whom was her fortune told?
She did not go to the village, or it would
have been known; she must have visited
some person in secret. My object was 10
discover this person. That done, there
would be something to work upon. At the
back Of the Hollow Farm is a track but lit
tie used, through the woods; following this
track / CHANGED upon a curious cluster Of
poplar trees. They are very close together,
and form triangle. l don't quite know
why / mention this but their popularity
attracted me. Passing the cluster Of trees
continued my way for about half a mile,
and came TO house standing alone and
enclosed in fence The house bore traces
of residence, but there was no one in 1t
at the time / saw It. Now, thought l TO
myself, is II not likely that this Is the
house Mrs. Frazer used to visit when she
went out of a night? Is it not probable that
the fortune-teller lives here? l returned 10
the village, and made inquiries, and what
do you think learned?" Bartlett got rath-
er excited here why, that a middle-aged
lady owned the house, and that her name
was Briggs"
The moment he mentioned this name 1
went TO the door and looked into the pass
age; then. closing IL, l turned the key and
resumed my seat.
I'm case" said speaking in a low tone,
miss Briggs should take II into her head
to interrupt us. But this may be nothing
more than a coincidence, after all; Briggs
Is not a very uncommon name"
go and ask your mother-in-law TO step
I'm here" said Bartlett.
did not hesitate; business is business,
and my mother-in-law, knew, would be
quite ready to assist me-and, for the
matter of that Jessie, too, il her sympa-
thies were enlisted in a case as they would
be sure to be in this. left the room, and
brought my mother-in-law back with me-
'"What are you locking the door for
Lewis?" she asked. as l turned the key.
For safety and security mother" l
said, kissing her; she liked me TO call her
mother, and she liked TO be kissed mfr
Bartlett and have entered into partner
ship, and We have a case in hand. 1t is
a matter of life and death to a poor girl
and it may be fortune to US. We want
you to help us"
''Of course l will help you" she said.
and i saw that she was already intensely
interested, but how? I don't think 1
= should make a good detective"
"One never knows" l said. This is a
confidential matter. mother, not to be
spoken of outside this room without per
mission. Listen. am going to tell you
story
The wretch" she cried; when had
finished.
which one?" asked Bartlett. Rose
Meadowfield?"
How dare you" she exclaimed. THE
poor girl is an innocent as an unborn
babe"
Bravo! Miss Briggs. them"
Yes, Miss Briggs. O, the monster"
Gently. mother" I said we are in the
dark as yet, and if you let your feelings
betray you it will be the ruin Of US. You
must not do or say anything that will
arouse her suspicious"
Il won't. I'll show her that I can be as
cunning as she is
''She comes from Essex, doesn't she7"
She says So"
What kind of a woman is she2" asked
Bartlett. Perhaps YOU have a rbo+o -