Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-12-02
scers,en,. ,esx Q. S.p ernAAs so~s,
! |RoDRIGyES O11pLENGUI.|
AVTHoR or AN ARTIST N CRIME, eTc


over this point servant announced that
a lady wished 10 see him. He at once
repaired to his parlor, whittier she had
been shown, and was astounded to see
Virginia Lewis.
"You are no doubt surprised that ]
am here"
II confess that am"
II have been set at liberty, and Mr..
Marvel has been indicted by the grand
jury"
II have just received telegram to
that effect.''.
"What will you do next? went to
the agency IN search of you and learned
that you have severed your connection
with the case. Will you tell me why
you did so?"
because they refuse to recall Mr..
Burrows"
""Then you do not think that the evil
dence which he discovered proves the
guilt Of Mr.. Marvel?"
miss Lewis. must tell you that I
did not credit the story which you told
duplicating yourself, and if I believe
in your innocence must also believe in
Mr.. Marvel's"
"Why so9''
Burrows is no doubt right in claim
ing that the murderer is the man who
made the trip to Epping that night,
but think he is wrong in his identifl-
cation Of this man."
II thought he had that all thorough
ly explained"
Miss Lewis, imagine from your
coming here that you wish my aid. "
II have come to you because fan
cied that you believe Mr.. Marvel inno-
cent. wish you to try to prove it,
"Precisely. Meanwhile you yourself
suspect that he is guilty, do you not?''
II do not say So"
''It is So nevertheless But we shall
not get along in this way. You must
not fence with me any more. We are on
the same side now, and though Burrows
has not had as much experience as l
have it will take all my skill to destroy
the case which he has made out against
your lover" Mr.. Barnes used this word
purposely to arouse her to action.
II trust you, Mr.. Barnes, and place
our affair in your hands. Ask mo what
you please, and I will reply"
Every good. In the first place tell
me am not right in saying that you
have believed that Mr.. Marvel is
guilty?"
"Yes. You are right"
Every good. That proves your inno-
oenoe. Now will demonstrate his, to
your satisfaction at least" He explain
ed the discrepancy as to time in the
theory of the other detective.
but, then," said Virginia, "the real
murderer must have placed the pistol
where it was found, 80 as to throw sus-
picion on MIR. Marvel?"
Exactly! You are quick to SEQ
things, quicker than our adversary, Mr.
Burrows. Before we go into that, how
ever, tell me why you consider Marvel
guilty. You must have more reason for
that opinion than is known to me."
II have. After we separated across
the river, as you shrewdly discovered,
he returned to the farm. He admitted
to you that he had entered the house,
but he did not tell you that he had left
note for me. 1 found this in the morn
ing and, as see now, misconstrued it.
That was the secret motive Of all my
actions thereafter.
"Have you the letter now!"
Eyes, here it is" Taking II from her
pocket, she handed 1t to Mr. Barnes. 1t
read as follows:
When we parted tonight, yoa spoke az though
you could not give me the answer that wish.
Perhaps when this reaches you you may see
things differently. By morning what now
seems an obstacle tn your Judgment may be
removed, and you may feel free to decide your
own and my fate yourself. Should you decide
against messwrite to me, as agreed, and will
leave you and this country forever.
Mr.. Barnes read this carefully, and
then said:
II see your mistake. In reading it
you placed q comma after the word
Judgment, whereas he meant it to be
after the word obstacle However, this
paper alone will prove the alibi SO nee
essary to Mr.. Marvel, and SO you may
rest easy, although I shall not until
have found the man who manufactured
all this evidence against Mr.. Marvel.
There is another point which I wish
cleared up. How did you know there
were two wounds in the body and 30 be
able to arrange your story to meet the
requirements of the case SO well?'
"When Alice tainted, and was brought
out of the room, Harry Lucas came with
her, and, while the doctor was attend
ing to her, questioned Lucas"
"Of course. Of course. was fool
to let him leave the room, but then a
man cannot think Of everything. You
are a clever woman, Miss Lewis, and it
will be pleasure for me to serve you.
Now. one thing more. Tell me why you
did not destroy that paper upon which
your uncle had written Mr.. Marvel's
name, accusing him Of the crime. That
was d dangerous bit of evidence to keep
if you wished to shield him."
Eyes, l know, but it is just because
1t seemed so conclusive that did keep
it, l thought that should be able to
prevent its existence from being discov-
cred, but in that was sadly mistaken.
kept it for this reason. l was willing
to shield Mr.. Marvel at any sacrifice,
beoause-because I love him. But
should never have received him again
SO long as I knew him to be or thought
l.nf