Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-03-08

who first discovered that he was
dead?" queried Montague.
The janitor who came to clean the
Office at 6 o'clock in the evening"
'At what time were you to have met
him at your Officer"
'At two o'clock D. M"
when did you first see his dead
body?"
AT ten o'clock that night at the Cor
oner's mOrgue."
Were there any marks Of violence
on his person or any expression OF PAIN
in his countenance?"
"None whatever; not in the least, ne
he seemed to have nothing the matter
with him, except that he was dead.
Did the Coroner ask you to state
your business with Russell, that was 10
have been transacted, at that appoint
ment, at your Officer"
Yes; fortunately for me, have
good alibi I was in Philadelphia-or
some mean suspicious person might
think I had something to do with MS
death"
You have not answered my ques-
ton"
q think have, Colonel, yet am not
aware that l am under obligations to
do so"
None except mere courtesy, of
course. You know that Russell was
my intimate friend, and it is but natu-
raj that l should inquire about his
death"
What more do you wish to know
about it,"
4 attempted to ask you what bust
ness took Russell to your office on that
day of his death?"
"Wen, if you wish to know, it was to
divide a legacy that our uncle, Jethro
Scales. of Hartford, had bequeathed us.
If you are very particular about it, this
legacy consisted Of thirty-nine thous-
and dollars in bonds and cash paper, ia
be equally divided between us. There
were no other legal heirs living"
Col. Montague, who was unaccus-
toned to being addressed in this tone
and manner, felt all the embarass-
ment of the situation; but as the fox
broke cover" about this time, as we
have seen, he gave vent TO his feelings
by squirting to the front"
He had food for reflection, and on
that evening at sunset as he rode into
te village street, he pulled up in front
of Parson DilwOrths, to have a word
with Dr. Hooper, in regard to the mys-
terry of the murder which now filled all
his thoughts.
The old preacher was delighted to
take Col. Montague by the hand and
was quite enthusiastic in his express
sions. as he recalled the exciting cpl
sodes of the chase, of which he and the
Doctor had been eye witnesses.
Montague replied, 20, sir these
young men art not quite so sturdy as
the Doctor and myself, who learned
rough riding in the cavalry. a little
brush like that don't amount to much,
does it, Doctor?'
But not awaiting the reply Of the
physician, he motioned him aside, and
after brief consultation they again
approached the preacher and informed
him that they would be compelled to go
to the town that night; but in the
meantime they desired to talk over a
matter Of great secresy, and also Of Sc
rious import in which they would be
pleased to have his advice and council.
Thereupon the minister showed
them into his study, but as it was near
his supper hour, he forbade any bust
ness until after they had partaken OF
refreshments.
The minister's good wife noticed that
her guests were much proccupied
throughout the meal, despite their po-
lite efforts at sociability.
After supper the parson led them to
his library. where Montague presented
to the Doctor a small package, which
was wrapped in oil-paper, and tied
with red tape. such as formerly used
by lawyers in tying legal papers.
The Doctor began to open the bun
die very deliberately, and while so en-
gagged, he stated to the preacher, with
all seriousness. that he and Montague
were both of the opinion that Lawyer
Wingfeld was implicated, in some
strange way. in the murder Of Martin
Russell. Neither of them doubted that
a murder had been committed, and
Wingfeld, they said, was the only man
in the world who would be benefited
financially by is death.
BY this time, the Doctor had un
wrapped the parcel, that had been fold
ed and tied with such extreme care.
After all, the package contained only
an old newspaper, but this the Doctor
held IN before the preachers face, and
said: This paper may carry the seeds
of life and death; it contains certainly,
more information than was ever print
ed on it.
Montague got this copy of the Sun
day Register from young Vernon on
the hunting field Vernon, who is an
assistant 10 Montague, saw lawyer
Wingfeld drop the paper as he was
riding in the chase, and from the very
careful manner in which it was tied up,
he concluded that it must be a dOcu-
ment of some Importance, and immedi-
ately brought it to his chief
Whilst he was talking, the Doctor had
opened the paper, and was scanning its
columns with a curious eye. He con-
tinued: Montague informs me that
this paper contains marks or hero
glyphics that must mean something
where are they, Montague, l don't see
them"
Col. Montague pointed out a marked
column that seemed to contain only
the notice Of a land sale, but in the adj
joining column there were a number of
blue dots. a single one over a word.
These dots were triangular in shape,
and had been made most carefully with
the point of blue pencil, specially pre-
pared for the purpose. They must
certainly mean something" he said,
and they all pondered over this col
umn. for more than an hour The re
suit was discouraging in the extreme;
the Doctor had set down on a slip of pa
ner all the words over which a blue dot