Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-06-26

L
he was first incarcerated to the cell at
police headquarters, why he could not
open communication with anybody or
see any one but his jailers, who seemed
to be mutes when he questioned them.
Whatever tortures he suffered from the
stabs of his guilty conscience he man
aged to conceal WE'LL. maintaining a
courageous and even placid exterior, and
doubtless he did gain some confidence in
his inexperience from the length Of time
which had passed without any indica-
ton appearing to him that he was sus-
pected Of any graver crime than that Tor
which he had been arrested
When the inspector visited him, he
protested energetically against his treat
ment ikening himself to the martyrs
Of the inquisition, the victims Of the
council Of ten and the human prey Of
the czar. His nervous excitation urged
him to volubility, but the calm, stern
detective listened to him patiently, I'M
perturbably, without interruption FL
nally he demanded.
"If had committed technical Of
Tense, why did they not at once fine me
and be done with it?''
Sudden as lightning the gray eyes
hurled into his a bolt Of sight that seem
ed to dart down into his heart and cleaye
way for the appalling question.
Would yon have paid 1t out Of the
price Of Richard Willmarth'S blood"
Chester Sewall staggered backward,
and supporting himself by an outspread
hand against the whitewashed wall BE-
hind him stood silent, painting, with
the terror. stricken look Of hunted
creature in his wide dilated eyes TAX
en- thus unawares, with his nerves al.
ready all unstrung, he had no time to
think Of dissimulation, If even the
strength for it was still in him, and hiA
guilt was blazoned upon his counte.
nance
"You had better make clean breast
Of it, my lad. The proof against you II
perfect, and escape impossible. Confess
make up your mind to the inevitable.
like a man, and you will feel better
than you have since the deed was done |"
The prisoner uttered not a word, but
slowly sank to sitting posture on the
bench, over which he had been leaning
against the wall, keeping his eyes fixed,
as if fascinated, upon those Of his ter
rible master.
IF you had accomplices, make to go
ciety what atonement you can for your
crime by giving them up to justice. If
misfortune drove you to the deed alone,
confess it, and you will find sympathy,
even in the heart of the girl you have
made an orphan instead Of wife +"
Chester, with cry Of agony and de-
spair, buried his face in his hands and
sobbed aloud
The inspector allowed a few minutes
grace to his paroxysm Of emotion and
then renewed his attack.
Come" he said "You will tell me
all about it, will you not?'
eyes, yes" sobbed the culprit, "but
give me time to think-an hour-only
one hour-and them
Without another word the inspector
noiselessly left the CELL secured its door,
turned down the flaring jet Of gas in
the corridor outside, so that the place
was plunged in almost sepulchral
gloom, and returned to his private office
to wait with confidence for the expira-
ton of the allotted time.
Chester, still weeping, arose totter-
ingly to his feet and staggered to and
fro from end to end Of his cell, wiring
ing his hands and moaning. Finally his
outburst of violent grief climaxed in a
despairing shrek:
"Oh, my God, my God, is this the
end Of all? Oh, my lost youth, my
hope, my love! What have I done with
them ALP"
Supporting himself against the wall,
he passed his hand over his brow with a
dazed, uncertain gesture, as if trying to
control himself, to think, to recall some
thing. Suddenly he paused and stood
erect. The thought had come to him.
With trembling fingers he fumbled
hurriedly through his pockets until he
found small pocket comb that had been
left in his possession when he was
searched by the police. On one side OF
its celluloid handle, into which the
comb closed like the blade Of razor,
was set tiny mirror. He had little
difficulty in prying from its place the bit
of glass Thrusting half its width into
the groove intended to hold the comb,
he pressed firmly upon the protruding
half until it gave way, breaking length
wise. In doing SO he cut one of his
thumbs severely, but did not seem to no.
tice the fact. With the two bits of glass
in his hand he laid down upon the bench
and turned his face to the wall
CHAPTER XIII