The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-09-03

q
MASTER residence, and though in the
chance OF finding him there l might
nave hesitated as to the propriety of a
direct call, what resolved was 70 see
ms wife In his (by mel supposed absence
Angus, found, lived at the corner
OF tho turn which the Cowgate makes
INTO the Grassmarket, and thither bent
my steps. Nor was it many minutes be-
toro was In the presence of Mrs. Angus
Macgllliyray, but what was my won.
derment to find this woman in very
much the same condition as that in
which found the wife of the deacon.
Her husband had left the house the pre-
vious day after breakfast without saw
ing word that he was to be otherwise
engaged than at his stall, and as it was
his lnyarlable habit to tell her when he
was to go to the country (which he often
did for cattle she could not account for
his absence in any way.
So far there was difference between
the conditions of the sisters-in-law that
Mrs Angus Macgillivray did not enter
tain any apprehension that any violence
had overtaken her husband, vet it was
clear enough, even from the suspicious
eye she cast upon me while making the
inquiries, that she was not free from
the fear OF some untoward accident. She
even questioned me as to my motive for
calling, as If she thought l had some
thing to tell and was afraid to tell it.
and l had some difficulty in satisfying
her that my object was not in any way
connected with the circumstances of his
disappearance. At all hazards, it was
my especial care to avoid any reference
to the deacon, and especially his alb
sence, for as she doubtless knew that
the enmity was all ON one side-that of
her husband-she might have drawn,
with very different feelings, the same
conclusion at which her sister in-law
had arrived.
Having left this woman also in a very
unhappy condition, l stepped to the
bailies' office and inquired there wheth-
er any search had been made by any of
the officers or constables, but here again
was met by the remark that q two
days absence did not form even a
ground for such a fear of any occurrence
either disastrous or fatal as would au-
thorize any search by the authorities of
tho city. had my reason for differ
ent conclusion, but was necessarily re-
strained from telling my story by fear
OF throwing suspicion upon man vim
dictive enough to take revenge upon me-
On going toward Borthwick's Close,
with the intention of again seeing the
deaconess-for SO these great dignitaries
were sometimes called at that time
when corporations were species of do
minions or powers-I met Andrew Cir
van, her brother, currier, who lived
in Niddry's Wynd. A sensible man, not
prone to fancies, he took very differ
ont view.
II have been everywhere could
think of, +" said he, "but | can find no
trace"
Everywhere but the house of his
brother, said /, fixing my eyes on him.
1.-The house of his brother" rejoined
he What ON earth would take me
there, the place Of all others he would
avoid?'
VERY true, but what would you
think were you to find that Angus is
also missing, having left his house about
tho same timer" said l, with view to
sound him, and thereby test my own sus-
pioions
"Thinki" replied he. why, was not
present at Glennie's tavern that night
when the villain drew his knife against
his own brother, and l hurried the dea-
con away, and was it not l who recon-
mended the lawborrows? Think Why,
If were to find it true that Angus Mac
gillivray was away, l would conclude
at the instant that he had repaid the
lawborrows by secret stab. :"
Eyes, but there are difficulties" said
/, with that straining for evidence of
conviction which is so natural to us.
Where could such a stab have been
given in broad day, and it must have
been in the forenoon, seeing the deacon
did not come home to dinner? Then
any secret den or out of the way place
is scarcely to be thought of, insomuch
as the deacon could not have been wiled
there by one whom he feared"
Nothing in all that" replied he,
for we all know that the deacon's bust
ness led him down dark closes and out
Of the way places, where there are dens
for all customers, dead or alive. And
besides he was SO simple and generous
. man that if Angus had met him and
proffered the open hand of reconcilia-
ton, he might have led him anywhere.
WELL" said l, getting more conf
dent, II may tell you, as his brother
in-law, that l have ascertained from
Angus wife herself that he, too, has
been missing for the same time"
''Then by all that is good" cried he
as his eye flashed from the suddenness
Of the impression upon the ear of these
words, "the mystery is all but cleared
up The villain has murdered his own
brother and run to the country"
Nor was l much astonished at this
ejaculation, for the original suspicion
had gradually been becoming convic-
ton with me, and my mind was almost
eager to have any remaining doubts re-
moved
But" said I, "what is to be done?"
go to the city authorities" replied
he on the instant. land get them to is
sue a warrant for the apprehension Of
Angus Macgillivray.
Il have been at the bailies' office, :"
said l, land found that the officers there
do not consider the affair as sufficiently
alarming to induce even an official
search. "
Because, replied he, ''they don't
know the facts" adding satirically, 1T
is generally believed that those who are
blind don't see :"
but even if they were put in posses