San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-08-15
CHAPTER XIV.
MIR. BARNES on MS METH

Mr.. Barnes and Virginia returned to
Riverside farm, reaching there just as
the people were assembling for the fu-
neral services. The squire greeted Vir-
ginia cordially and looked interrogative-
ly at Mr.. Barnes, evidently little con-
fused at seeing them together. Virginia
fastened to explain.
Squire, / hope You will be glad to
hear that Mr.. Barnes is now working in
my interests? He does not believe that
Walter is guilty"
SIS that true?" said the squire, quick
ly interested. Il am glad to hear it, for,
though Burrows seems to have made
out complete chain of evidence, if
you, Mr.. Barnes, with your experience.
are unconvinced, there must be a weak
spot in it. Tell me, how is it?"
"Mr. Burrows is mistaken" said
Mr.. Barnes. "His evidence is all good
and most important. His deductions,
however, are incorrect. As you say,
there is flaw. / pointed it out to him,
but lie is obstinate and refuses to see it.
He cannot convict Marvel without prov
ing that Miss Lewis here was an ac-
complete after the fact if not before.
''God forbid that he should do that
81 was afraid that he would have
brought out this point before the grand
jury, and that Miss Lewis as a conse-
quence would have been still in prison.
That he has not done so shows that he
secretly fears that he could not sustain
the charge"
"Well, but do you think you can
clear Marvel? If so, who did kill Lew
ISL"
"Your last query is hard one to
answer, but / must do so if / am to
prove Maryel's innocence. All can
say now is that l hope to accomplish
that Now, I wish to see the body
again. Will you come with me?"
The squire and the detective moved
toward the parlor, where was the casket
containing the remains. Virginia went
to her own room. The two men stood
beside the coffin moment in silence.
Mr.. Barnes gazed intently at the char
red face, bandaged in silk handkerchiefs
to conceal the Disagreement, and the
squire wondered of what he was think
ing. In truth Mr.. Barnes scarcely knew
himself. Ho had a dimly defined idea
within his mind and was awaiting its
development, Presently his eyes wan
dered down to where the crossed arms
of the corpse lay upon the breast, and
he noted the diamond ring.
Squire, said he, II think mis-
take will be made if we do not inter
fere"
"What do you mean?
"There is ring on the finger of the
corpse. 1t should not be buried"
"Why not?"
Because the man was murdered, and
connected with the body may
become an article of value as evidence
of some kind.
"How can ring amount to any
thing?"
81 don't say it will, but it may. We
as you know, are cautious,
and should be indebted if you will re-
move il"
"Oh, certainly, if you specially wish
itp' The squire removed the ring with
some difficulty.
81 wish, squire, that you would keep
that yourself Should anything occur
which will make it useful TO me,
shall know where to get it. "
"Yes, will keep it, and it shall not
leave my possession unless l let you
know first. +"
81 thank you, but may look at it
now for a moment?'
Certainly" The squire handed 1t
to him. Mr.. Barnes examined it close
ly, and, noticing an inscription on the
inside of the band, went to the light to
decipher it. 1t proved to be "W. to M.
The detective started and muttered,
''The same initials as were on the lock-
etr' Then, returning the ring to the
squire, he asked:
"Have you that locket? Though that
Is a foolish question, as l suppose you
gave it to the authorities at Dover, with
the other things in evidence.
eyes. They were given up yester-
1av 4"