Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-06-04

poor result, chip, in fact, which
marks the continuity Of the letter. l
doubt if with the eye alone, as you
looked at it that day when first show
ed it to you, that you saw any letter at
all.
"You are correct. simply looked for
the @, and not finding it was salts
fed
''Th1s is serious. This button evident
ly was made by the same hand that
made yours. 1t was spoiled and another
cut to replace it. The man who carved
it or the person who became possessed
of it must and shall explain to me how
it came into the room where the murder
was done. You must tell me now where
these buttons were bought.
Il will do so upon one condition. "
"Name it. "
"That whatever you discover you will
tell me before you act, and that you
will not act before Jan. l unless abso-
iutely necessary.
"You mean as to making an arrest?"
"That is precisely what ! mean. You
need not fear to make the promise. 7
will guarantee that your nar shall not
escape. l know him.. "
You know him." Mr.. Barnes was
astonished that Mr.. Mitchell should
make such al admission.
Eyes, l know him. That is, am
morally certain that know him. Twill
tell you at once that having the knowl-
edge that myself was innocent have
had an advantage over you, and have
been hunting down this man all these
months. l have good circumstantial evil
dence against him, but not enough to
warrant an arrsst-at least not yet. If
you could follow this clew and find that
it leads to the same man we could con-
vict him.
will you give me the name of tie
man whom you suspecl?"
"Nol That would materially weaken
our case. We must get the same result
without collusion. No, you work alone
and work quickly, for I particularly
wish the case to be completed by Jan. /. "
why so?"
1T is the day upon which my wager
is to be decided. and shall give din
ner party, at which I anticipate some
bun. By the way, don't forget that you
won dinner from me on wager. Ac-
cept an invitation to dine with me Jan.
l, and if you can then convict our man
you shall be most welcome.
II shall bend every energy to that
end. But now tell me the name Of the
ieweler from whom the buttons were
procured.
Mr. Mitchell then wrote down the
name Of Paris firm, also giving their
address. Handing the slip Of paper to
Mr.. Barnes, he took another sheet and
continued writing.
why, Mr.. Mitchell" exclaimed Mr..
Barnes, ''this is the same firm from
whom your jewels were brought-those,
l mean, which are similar to the stolen
set. have already communicated with
these people, and they sent me word
that they knew nothing"
Eyes, know That was by my in
struction." Saying which Mr.. Mitchell
smiled, and Mr.. Barnes once more dis
covered that he had been fighting
against % man who thought of every
thing. ''You see," continued Mr..
Mitchell, II knew that you saw the
name of the jewellers on the bill Of sale.
What more probable than that you
should apply there for information?
Now, my object throughout has been
not to defeat justice, but to have time
enough elapse for me to win my wager.
Therefore I Immediately sent cable to
these persons, Answer nothing signed
Barnes till you hear from me. Rather
a long cable dispatch, but then I don't
mind few dollars. Of course my cable
to them made them shut their mouths
to you. 1t was very simple. However,
| myself have not been able to get satis-
factory facts from them, and think it
needs a person actually on the ground
to ferret out this thing I believe you
are just the man for the case. This let
ter will give you their assistance, and
here is check for $500 for expenses. "
Mr.. Barnes would have refused, but
Mr.. Mitchell insisted that from that
time on Mr.. Barnes should consider
himself regularly employed on the muir
der case. Though of course" said Mr..
Mitchell jocularly, "you are still free to
work out the robberies. "
The two men shook hands at parting,
and one would have said that they were