The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-12-08

Of his guilt
Burrows, if this were not so serious
case, I would let you have your way
and then, at the trial, show you what
an idiot you are. But as I wish, if pos
sible, to avoid any more mistakes, I
will show you how easy it is for nae to
overturn your castles in the air. Ac-
cording to your latest theory, you make
Marvel commit murder and leave the
town on train which started from Lee
at 10:39 p. m. Now, Miss Lewis left
him across the river, went directly to
her room and reached there at 10:30
p. m. Therefore it Is plain that Marvel
has an easily proved aibi.
Burrows flushed at this, but he was
not willing to give up his theory with
out one more struggle.
tThe only way In which be could
{ prove that would be BY the testimony Of
his accomplice, and''-
"Stop! For shame, Mr.. Bnrrowsl
Would you resort to so base thing as
slander simply to have the qualification
Of finding criminal? To make your
chain complete, would you implicate a
girl against whom you have not par
ticle Of evidences"
She has confessed her share in the
crime. .
"Sha is noble woman and is trying
to shield her lover from the mistakes Of
such detectives as you are proving your
self to be"
you ought to go ON the stage, ;"
sneered Burrows. @You would make
quite heroic actor, Mr.. Barnes"
"Come, - said Mr.. Barnes sternly,
ono impertinencel Respect my age and
experience if you do not respect me,
and now, since / cannot turn you from
your folly. which in this case will pos
sibly be crime, I must resort to COM
pulsion, and again, as your superior, l
order you to abandon your project
'eAnd refuse, :" returned Burrows
hotly.
every vel. I will give you one
more chance Whatever little ability as
a detective you may have you have i'm
bibed most of your best methods from
association With me. Let me tell you
that if you do not obey me in this in
stance you must never expect any as
sistance or advice from me again. More
over, swear to find the guilty man and
to right the wrong which you will have
done to two innocent people. Act as
you have said you will, and you will
live to rue the day when you quarreled
with Jack Barnes. .
Burrows regretted the turn Of events,
but he felt too sure Of his position to
give It up. He thought Mr.. Barnes
was actuated to some extent by jeal-
ousy, and that he would find it difficult
to accomplish all that he threatened.
He had no pity FOR Marvel, for he be-
heyed him to be the guilty man, and 80
he determined to go at once to Dover
with his new evidence. In reply to Mr.
Barnes he said:
ssYou have made the quarrel, not I.
I am doing my duty
What will you do, Mr. Lewis?'
asked the elder detective.
seI shall go on to Dover with Mr..
Burrows ard see the thing through. I
don't say that I think he is right, for,
as you say, should be obliged to ao-
cept the theory that Miss Lewis is
guilty also. and while I thought Mar
vel the murderer, as told you before /
started here, I must say that would
rather think him innocent than believe
that my cousin bad hand in the affair.
Still she may have been mistaken about
the time. However, I must wait for
older heads than mine to solve this
problem. y
ST am glad that you are not as easily
convinced by this array Of evidence as
our young friend thinks the jury will
be. AS I suppose you want the truth, !
promise you that I will use all my best
skill to unravel this mystery" /"
ssDo so, Mr.. Barnes, and will give
you $1,000. I have saved some money,
and although that is large sum I
will give it cheerfully.'
sThsnk you for your generous offer,
bnt am goins to work now as duty.
The innocent mrst not and shall not
suffer if can prevent it. Besides, my
professional pride is aroused in this
now. -
The three men then turned their steps
toward the town and walked along in
silence. Each of the party had much
with which to occupy his thoughts, and,
besides, the recent scene had caused
rather restraint, at least between two
of them. Just before they reached the ho-
tel, however, MIR. Barnes asked Bur
rows:
Glow many shots were fred from
that pistol?"
"There are three empty shells in it. y
tThat is to say, it has beer used twice
since the shot which Marvel fred at the
birthday party?"
Evidently"
Mr.. Barnes said no more, and
few minutes later they all were at the
hotel, whence they went to the depot.