Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-09-30


tie more hesitation; "look out for me as
I come back, and I'll pick you up"
AS soon as he had gone Mr.. Barnes
took a notebook from his pocket and,
tearing out page, wrote as follows:
DEAR ToM-It is Of no use. She saw the
boat and has taken the alarm. think she
means to send tho letter to the post at New
Market. II you SEQ me, remain In tho wagon
with Everly. You will know that this surmise
on my part is correct. In that case will take
care Of the letter. Tell no one where have
gone, even though should not return for
day or two. Tell the squire to impanel his
Jury, turn tho body over to q doctor for q
post mortem and then adjourn until I get back.
Meanwhile keep your eyes open. Watch young
Lewis! Remember he Is a stranger and should
prove his identity beyond doubt, especially
II will turns up drawn in his favor Pump
him oil you cnn without his suspecting that
you have q motive. BARNES.
Having written this note, the next
thing to do was to give it to Burrows
without arousing suspicion Of collusion.
It must be borne In mind that every
one present knew that the man by the
window was detective, and, further,
that Burrows had failed to recognize
Mr.. Barnes in his disguise. The latter
went to the door and stood there few
minutes, whistling tune that was a
great favorite with Burrows. He kept
this up until at length he attracted his
notice. AS soon as this was accomplish
ed, having his back to the others, he
slightly lifted his false beard, thus re-
vealing his identity, and then held up
the note. Sure then that Burrows un-
derstood him. he dropped into chair,
picked up a copy Of the Boston Herald
which lay there and pretended to read,
until Everly at length appeared in the
road. He then simply laid the paper
down, having hidden the note therein,
and, joining Everly, was taken into the
wagon. Thus nothing was left to Bur-
rows but to possess himself Of the news
paper and note, which he easily did.
Reaching the house into which Vir-
ginia had gone, the horse was stopped,
and Everly jumped out. He started to
enter the gate leading to the dwelling,
when the main door was opened, and o
young woman, emerging therefrom,
came down the gravel walk to meet
him. She greeted him familiarly, and
they stood conversing in low tones for
q few moments. Mr.. Barnes watched
them closely in his endeavor to see
whether she intrusted letter to his
care. He did not actually detect her
doing so but ho saw by the motion OF
Everly's arm that he carefully placed
something in the inner pocket of his
coat. Satisfied that this was the letter
the supcrscription of which he was SO
anxious to see, he determined to keep
his seat and accompany Everly to New
Market. On the road thither he at
tempted but little conversation, fearing
to reveal his identity and thus destroy
all hopes Of success. AS his companion
seemed little inclined to talk, the trip,
which occupied about three-quarters OF
an hour, was made III comparative
silence.
Arrived at New Market, he deemed
it best to alight as soon rs they reached
the hotel. Entering, he posted himself
so as to watch whittier Everly should
drive, and the latter. entirely uncon-
scious as to whom he bad brought with
him, went straight to the postotfice, sit
uated about block farther. With con-
siderable satisfaction Mr.. Barnes saw
him presently emerge again and imme-
diately turn his horse's head homeward.
thus showing that his sole errand to the
town had been to post the letter.
As soon as Everly was ont of sight
Mr.. Barnes removed his disguise and,
making a bundle Of the overalls, in
trusted it to the care of the hotel clerk
to be kept until he should call again.
He then hurried over to the postoffice,
where he asked for the postmaster. To
this official he declared himself to be a
detective and, stating that in his belief
q letter had just been mailed to an I'M
portant witness in case which he was
investigating, received permission to
examine the letters unCanceled. This
he proceeded to do, and at length nc
found the object Of his search. He held
in his hand letter the contents of
which he thought would throw consid-
cradle light OH the mystery. He copied
the address, which was as follows:
Walter Marvel, Esq, Portsmouth.
N. H. Keep till called for"
Leaving the Office, Mr.. Barnes hur-
ried over to the railroad station, and
purchasing a ticket for Portsmouth was
soon Oh his way thither.
Arriving there that same evening, he
lost no time in proceeding to call on
the postmaster Of the city, and. &C.
quainting him with the nature Of his
business, easily arranged plan where.
by he hoped to discover Walter Marvel
Az the man whom he was seeking was
an entire stranger to him, 1t would be
impossible to recognize him. Therefore
he determined to station himself at the
inquiry window and arranged signal
whereby the clerk was to warn him
when any one should ask for letter
for Walter Marvel. AS, however. he
was informed that the mail just in
would not be ready for delivery until
the following morning he went to ho-
tel and retired for the night
The postoffice opened at z o'clock,
and promptly at that hour Mr.. Barnes
commenced his vigil. He did not have
his patience very sorely tried, for 1t was
scarcely 8 O'Clock wheIf he received the
signal from the postal clerk and saw
the letter handed to q man at the win.
dow.
Not knowing whether this was Mar
vel himself or merely some messenger,
Mr.. Barnes determined for the present
simply to follow him, more especially
as he did not break the seal of the let
ter, but after glancing at the address
consigned it to his pocket. Leaving the
building. the man proceeded to small
hotel. at a considerable distance from