Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-31


THE SEARCH FOR THE BULLET.
he could see through It, ana then he
looked out. following with his eye as
ncarly as possible the direction of the
BAH.
There's a chance that we can find
it," he said, and led the way TO the
grounds at the rear of the house
Fifty yards back we came to a large
tree, and ia its rough bark, near the
ground, after most careful searching,
Prcble found bullet hole. Five min
utes later he held in his hand the leaden
missile that had killed Gen. Holiday.
Capt. Marshall, he said, you, as an
expert, will be able to tell US what
sort Of weapon carries such bullet
You know already" replied the cap
tain, with a sort of gasp. Il can see
that in your face. 1t is the bullet which
the rifle am testing carries. There is
no other like it,.
looked anxiously at Preble, and
saw, to my surprise, that he was not
regarding Marshall He was looking
over the captains head.
turned and saw man running
through the grounds. He was bent
double, and seemed to fancy himself to
be shielded by some low shrubbery. l
recognized Hanley, the butler.
You'd better go after him, Kelly"
said Preble, and Kelly obeyed, exhibit
ing a surprising swiftness Of foot.
To TTnt,1axr baf A,a h.
reached the road which bounds the es-
tate upon the south; and in few min
utes Che trembling servant stood before
Preble. The detective nodded to Kelly,
who instantly began to search Hanley.
In one of his pockets was package of
twelve OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES bills.
Now, let's have your story without
moments delay, said Preble, sternly.
II swear to you, sir, " replied the but
Ter, solemnly, that / had no hand in
his death. | robbed him, but | did not
kill him. 1t was this way: went into
the Long Room to speak to him Miss
Margaret was asleep on the couch.
The general also seemed to be asleep
with his head on his desk. And right
there in plain sight was all that money.
I've been hard pressed, sir of late
There's been some as bad as me at a
disadvantage and have used their
power. It's their fault sir, that | took
the money. I'm no thief at heart. l
did it in sheer nervousness, at the sight
of what | needed so much.
1.-The general never stirred. He was
dead then, sir, I've no doubt, but |
didn't know it. | got away with the
money and hid it in my room. Then
when the murder was discovered | YVES
near frozen with horror. | would have
restored the money, but there's been
no chance. Somebody has been in that
room all the time. So this morning,
when | learned that one of the serv-
ants had seen me go into that room,
and had told on me. | resolved to run
for it, That's the whole truth, sir, and
I'm glad to have it off my mind"
Il believe you, my man, said PEBBLE
cts never a good thing in this world
to be too smart, and it's your good for
tune that you're not nearly smart
enough to have committed this crime,
supposing that it is a crime at all"
He directed Kelly to keep an eye on
Hanley and then we all went into the
Long Room We found Margaret and
DR.. Hilton there. Margaret greeted
Preble with great cordially. She said
that she felt much relieved ut having
his advice and aid, for she had always
thought him to be gifted with an ex-
ceptionally clear mind
IF my present theory of this terrible
mystery proves to be correct" said
Preble, II think we shall all feel great
~ relieved. 1t is only theory at pres
ent, and its basis is no more than this"
He opened his hand and showed
splinter of wood about al inch and a
half long. For my part I had no idea
Of its bearing upon the case. The others
seemed equally at q loss.
i found this on the floor at that end
of the room. he said, pointing away
from the generals desk. 1T was
knocked off the inside Of the wall by
the bullet which killed your father. 1t
surprises me, gentlemen, that when
you had found where the bullet went
out you should not have looked for she
place where it came in"
Bat, Prcble, | exclaimed, you are
not going to tell us that the murderer
fired through that wall and across the
whole length Of this room?a
"And Il mile of open country be-
sides" said preblc, calmly, "if my
theory is true Capt Marshall, win
you tell me whether 1 am correct in
saying that o linc drawn from the spot
where Gen. Holiday was struck down
and extended through the wall one
foot to the left Of that window would
pass close to your laboratory on the
other side IF the valley?'
Marshalfs forehead was wet with
perspiration.
1T is true" he said, in low voice.
81 am afraid that your theory is right"
You mean, 1 cried, that the acct
dental discharge Of rifle which was
being tested Is responsible for this ter
rible calamity2'
"You have seen the bullet" said
Preble land [ have proven the direc-