The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-25
4 MIDNIGHT
TRAGEDY;
Qle Crime Of The
Brokers Office
-BY-
w. E.. MOTIF.
Brokers Office
w. E. MOTT.
CHAPTER XxxII-(Continued.)

arranged whereby Stanmore, as we snall
continue to designate him, hoped 10 aI.
tain the fruition of his hope, ana SeI
Pratt and Weeks in his power. -,
What Stanmore's plan was we snail
presently see.
Meanwhile, on the evening whlch WIZ
messed the interview between Stanmore
and Abraham Benjaman, when the latter
told his friend Of Pratt's proposition
about the marked money, Paxton re-
neiyed a note from the Chief Of Police,
requesting him to call at his office at
once.
The detective fastened to comply
with the request, and when he arrived
at the chiefs office, he was informed by
that official that he had just received
notice that a man who was dying at
charity hospital desired to make con-
fession to him relating to the Oakburn
murder.
Il knew you would be deeply inter-
ested in anything promising information
on this subject, and so 1 sent for you.
will YOU accompany me to the hospital'
am going at once, said the cnled;
or course Paxton answered afirma-
lively.
Inc Q0USCllN6 dul IuC SLhSA ASPNN>NN
to the hospital without further delay.
Upon their arrival there they were at
once conducted to the ward in which
lay the dying man who wished to maze
confession.
Intensely interested and excited at
the prospect Of an immediate explana-
ton of the mystery which had so long
baf1ed him, Paxton listened to the con-
fession made by the dying man, while a
clerk of the hospital recorded 1t IN writ
ing. - -. ST. '@'.'--, :,
ST know Levi Kredge, who was the
janitor at the Office Of Jason Garrison,
where John Oakburn, the old cashier,
was murdered" began the man.
Paxton started as he heard him men
ton the name Of the janitor at the very
outset.
aOn the night Of the murder" con.
tinued the man who was making the
confession, at about / o'clock: saw
Levi Kredge get out o. the side window
of Garrison's office had lodged into
the passage between the two buildings
to escape the observation Of party
whom / wished to avoid, when saw
Levi. I accosted Levi when he came
out Of the passage upon the street. l
told him had seen him get out Of the
Office. and he was terribly alarmed.
The dying man paused, and after a
few moments he continued:
"Kredge begged me not to tell OF his
being in the Office, and he offered me a
thousand dollars if would swear to
keep his secret. I agreed, for / am a
poor man, and q thousand dollars
seemed like large sum to me. Until
now have kept my promise Of secrecy,
but could not make up my mind to die
without telling all this for feared that
young Harland might yet be convicted
of the crime. 1t is my conviction that
Levi kredge murdered John Oakburn. :"
This was the mans confession, and
when it had been read to him he was
lifted up in his couch, and he signed it.
OF course Paxton was not in the least
surprised to learn that Kredge was in
Garrison's Office on the night Of the
murder, for he had, as we know, long
since concluded that the janitor made
the tell-tale tracks under the Office win
dow.
, 1t puzzled the detective to decide what
part the man whom Pratt & Weeks
called "Garnar" had in the crime.
"uSluCl lO "thS y tRoA ~
he could not say.
Paxton informed Stanmore and
Stuart Harland Of the confession, and
their satisfaction at the news may be
imagined.
II had iaith to believe that my inno-
cence would be proven" said Stuart.
Now should Judith kredge accuse
Marion publicly, her denunciation will
be harmless, since we may regard the
proof against kredge sufficient to con-
vince any jury" said Stanmore, who
thought only OF Marion's safety.
With the confession OF the man
whom he bribed to secrecy il my pos
session, I shall visit Levi kredge, and /
think this time I shall be able to
frighten him into a confession" said
Paxton.
The detective reasoned from what he
knew Of the character Of Levi kredge.
that, If he was not the principal in the
crime Of the brokers' office, he would
now see that there was no hope for him,
and he would try to save himself by
turning states evidence.
Paxton had the confession Of the man
who had seen Kredge leave the broker g
Office through the window in his pocket,
and he forthwith repaired to the Tombs,
and was admitted to Kredge's cell.
The janitor seemed surprised at Pax
tons visit, and he scented danger.
well, Levi, here am again, you see,
and have little surprise for you,
said the detective, cheerfully.
What now? Has not Judith's con-
9ession convinced you Of my innocence
of Oakburn's murder?" demanded
Kredge.
@Tll be frank with you, Levi. I don't
for q moment think that Marion had
anything to do with her fathers murder,
answed Paxton.
And you still suspect me:"
Certainly"
Kredge made the transit Of his cell
several times, and finally he said, in a
fierce. desperate tone:
well, what are you going to Dc
about it,"
you can Judge OF that for yourself
when you have heard the contents Of
this document which have brought with
me to read to you.
Thus answered Paxton calmly, and he
drew from his pocket the confession OF
the man whom KredSe had bribed tc
keep his secret.
The prisoner watched him with ar
anxious expression OIL his evil face.
Probably tho wretch had 3 suspicion
ef ~hat ~as coming.
He staggered across the cell, and sank
down upon an iron cot.
Deliberately the detective unfolded
The confession, and in a slow. distinct
voice he read it through.