San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-08-15


tective. In order to turn the mill wheels,
I sluices are built which conduct the wa
ter In the desired direction. When these
are open, it is evident that strong cur
rent sets in the direction of the mill.
This is so powerful and there is such
suction downward that objects on the
surface would be drawn below and car
ried into the mill, were it not that the
sluice gates are furnished with gratings
to keep ont such jetsam. Studying this
point, it became evident to the detective
that if the sluices were open on Sunday
night, the bundle of clothing must be
looked for at these gratings.
He therefore went to the mill and
asked for the man who had the care of
the sluices. From him he learned that
| they had been closed ON the night of the
murder, and then persuaded him to
have them closed this evening also, so
that the conditions might be the same.
Leaving the vicinity Of the mill, he
went back to Riverside and enjoyed his
supper with Miss Lewis. After the
meal he said:
Where is Mr.. Lewis? Is he not stay
ing here?"
"He accepted an invitation to visit
the squire tonight"
"All the better; the fewer people who
know what / do tonight the more
pleased / shall be. Now, then, want
suit of your uncle's clothing; old ones
will do. i"
"Iwill get what You want" Virginia
left the room, returning few minutes
later with some clothing. The detective
placed the articles in pail of water, al
lowing them to become thoroughly wet
before he removed them. Next he rolled
them into compact bundle, which he
tied securely.
81 am now ready for my experiment
My idea is to go to the bridge and throw
that bundle over, as Marvel claims
that he did. and then see what becomes
of it. am sorry that cannot ask him
at Just what point he did this, but !
must do the best ! can without this
knowledge. The probability is that he
tossed the bundle over as soon as he got
ON the bridge and with his right hand.
Therefore he would have thrown it over
ON the side nearest the dam. At any
rate, that is what shall do.
81 see what your idea is and am anx-
ious to have the experiment tried. Shall
we go at once?"
mo. I cannot tell what difference
the hour may make on the currents, and
SO many days after they may be totally
different. However, / shall 60 at the
same hour as he did. At least it will
insure our not being observed. Besides,
wish if possible to see Everly, and !
think he will return before / O'Clock.
gym will wait till that hour?"
Eyes. You left Marvel at the river
and reached your room at 1920. He
came here after that, then went to his
own house and back to the bridge,
where he must have arrived at or about
11:30."
The evening passed slowly, most of
the time being consumed by these two
in discussion of the subject which alb
sorbed their minds, until, at about
quarter to II, horses hoofs sounded
without, and a moment later they were
Joined by Will Everly.
"Well," said the detective, what
news?"
81 found Ainsley and through him
was enabled to see the locket."
Every goodl What is the inscrip-
tion?'
"Simply w. M The word to- does
not appear, and the letters are so close
together there is no chance that it ever
was there. 1t occurred to me that it
may have been and have become worn
out, but that is impossible.
As this hope was dispelled Virginia
seemed much disappointed.
What do you think now, Mr..
Barnes?" said she. ''This is discourag-
ing, is it not?"
do you know if your mother had
more than one manner"
| cannot be certain, but / never
heard Of any other except Matilda.
"Still she may have had another, and
it may have been 'Winona' or some 9th
er with w. for the initial We must
| look that up If the initials are hers, 1t
will answer our purpose as well. Now
we will start on the other errand. Mr..
Everly, you may come with us if you
wish. We are going to try to recover
the clothes which Marvel says he threw
over the bridge"
81 should like TO go with you, but
doubt if you will succeed. Young Mr..
Lewis inaugurated a regular search,
and besides went myself and looked
thoroughly more than once after the
inquest. / think should have made up
bundle for them to find, only could
not supply the locket which he said is
in the pocket"
''No, mol We must not resort to man
ufacturing any evidence. If Marvel ID
guilty, he must suffer, but if he is III
nocent he must be saved. Let us work
only for the truth" So saying, he tool
up the bundle of wet clothing and start
ed. Virginia and Everly followed in
silence, neither of them relishing the
last speech of the detective, however
1 a L - - L. 49,