Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-09-23

Burrows, thinking over Mr.. Barnes
proposition. Then suddenly, as the idea
came to him: "What if it be her lover,
young Marvelp He would have motive
for killing Lewis"
MIR. Barnes smiled approvingly Mt his
companions quick perception Of what
be himself was thinking, but he replied:
"Not 80 fastl We have nothing
against him yet except the motive.
Many man may have good and strong
reasons for Wishing another dead and
yet not stain his hands with blood. Be-
sides, remember that the same motives
which you attribute to Marvel might
equally we'll actuate the woman who
loves him. However, at present do
not think that Miss Lewis committed
the crime"
If not she and not Marvel, whom,
then, do you suspect3"
II must have more evidence before
suspect any one 1t is different thing,
however, to think one not guilty, and
ut present believe Miss Lewis IL inno-
rent. Later I may find In her the Grim.
inal, but cannot think 80 yet"
"Surely you are not Influenced by her
sex; you are not going to be sentimen-
tal--you, a detective?"
Mr.. Barnes smiled family. He was
amused aud yet little troubled at his
companions ardor. Why should not
detective have sentiment? Because 1t is
his business to seek out and punish the
criminal, must he necessarily be with
out heart9 He could not accept such a
theory, although he knew it to be one
esteemed by the members Of his craft.
The majority Of these men hunt down
a criminal as matter Of business A
crime committed gives them work TO
do. A man found to flt the circum-
stances Of that crime. and the detect
ives work is completed.
It was not SO with Mr.. Barnes. He
had heart, and this very fact, though
unrecognized by his superiors made
him the keenest man IN the employ OF
the Pilkingtons. He did not work sim.
ply to fit crime on some ones, any
ones, shoulders, but rather that it
should not be fitted to al innocent man.
He sought diligently for the right man,
that the wrong man might not be made
to suffer through the accident OF lmpL-
eating circumstances.
Replying to Burrows, he said:
mo, I would not think Of her eek.
A true detective should consider the
evidence only. There is always danger,
however, Of our nistaking 1t, or rather
to what st points The evidence itself is
always dumb witness Of the truth. Un-
fortunately our ability or skill too often
fails to connect it. Now will tell you
why think Miss Lewis innocent
1T is plain, from the charred eondi-
tion Of the body, coupled with the fact
that tho fire has entirely burned out,
that the man has been dead some
hours If Miss Lewis had done the
shooting herself. the probability is that
she would have cleaned her pistol ear
lier. Still, she might have been dis
turbed, and. dropping her weapon in
hurried flight from the scene Of the
crime, she might have returned later to
recover it.
"But. while consider her a person
Of great will power-from physical
standpoint quite capable of conceiving
and executing murder-yet, having
done the deed and accidentally having
left her weapon, doubt her having
the nerve power to return for it after
several hours had passed. She might
within a short period Of time, but IN
that case the cleaning would have oc-
CURED then and not haye been left for
the morning, for had she premeditated
the killing she would also have premed-
itated removing this evidence. But, re-
member, this is reasoning. not proof.
The most specious reasoning may be-
nay, often is-disproved by the facts. "
but you must think she has some
knowledge Of the erime?' said Burrows.
my theory Is this" replied Mr..
Barnes. Miss Lewis entered this room
this morning. perhaps opened the win
dow, and then discovered the dead body,
the weapon and perchance more--at any
rate, enough to make her suspect young
Marvel. Here let me point out that the
fact that she does 80 is not sufficient
reason for our suSpecting him. 1t was
not necessary for her to know him guilty
for her to attempt to shield him. 1t was
enough for her to entertain suspicion.
Convinced of even the possibility of his
guilt, she might try to save him from
the consequences Of the act. y"
Burrows had listened quite attentive
ly to all this and was much impressed
by the reasoning. After thinking few
moments in silence, he asked:
"Do you think that the letter which
she wrote is to her lover9'
Again Mr.. Barnes was pleased to
note that Burrows followed his line Of
argument. He replied:
"Yes, think the letter is to Marvel,
but her writing to him might be a &C.
quence in either case. Whether she
committed the deed herself or thinks
him guilty, she would probably write
to him."
at would be well, then, for us to
get that letter."
"Well, indeedl It would at least
show us his whereabouts. But how to
become possessed Of it? That is the
question. We need not expect to obtain
it till it has left her custody, and be
sure she will lie very careful how she
forwards it,
"If we could get the pistol, might