Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-07-21

into the kitchen and found the outside
door open"
"Ah, har' calculated the chief, know
ingly. "'Outside door OPEN Was 1t
wide open!' he asked.
The bank president frowned at the
interruption.
"Yes," said Mrs. Dean. TT was wide
open; that was strange, and I felt that
something was wrong. 1 called Mr..
Dean several times, but got no answer.
so l ran out into the back yard and
found him stretched out on the
ground" she faltered a little at rec
objection OF the dreadful sight, but raj.
lied Immediately.
1T was lighter on the west side Of
the house, and Mr.. Dean had on his
gray clothes, and so l saw him quite
plainly at once. He was lying on his
back, the blood had streamed down
over his face and I thought he was
dead-and l began to scream-and to
try and lift him up. He was SO limp
and helpless that l grew more fright
cned At touching him, and thought
would faint before any one came. 1t
seemed 30 long that called and called
for help before anybody heard me. Just
for an instant l couldn't think what
had happened, and then l knew that
some one had murdered him, or tried
to-" and she paused, wtping the tears
from her eyes
"If you had been obliged to search
the back premises for Mr.. Dean you
would very likely have discovered some
A. I,,rt ,fv,ry
him at once in that condition the shock
and excitement would, Of course, rem
der it impossible for you to observe the
surroundings carefully" said the chief.
1T is my opinion that the murderer
heard you coming and made Of down
the alley"
"And 1 am sure he ran up the alley,
as he could more quickly get in hiding
behind the business houses" said the
bank president positively and added:
Very likely he slipped around and
came down into the crowd
The chief shifted a little as he re
Piled:
He would have to have a great deal
of nerve 10 do that Anyhow, it is plain
that ne was frightened away before he
accomplished his object, as the contents
of Mr.. Deans pockets were not dis
turbed."
His object was to obtain possession
of the keys, of course" said the bank
president, twirling the bunch in his
fingers.
The servant girl, when she was ex-
amined, stated. with much incOherence,
that she had stepped out TO see a friend
a couple of blocks away for few mo-
ments; stayed longer than she meant
to and was still away when Mr.. Dean
came in: that as she was hurrying
home she saw n man come out of the
alley and cross the street and few
seconds after she heard Mrs. Deans
screams.
The chief rubbed his hands and cast
triumphant glance at the bank presi'
dent. as he said:
Tine very man! He ran down the
alley and was making for that string
of old sheds and stables. l am seldom
mistaken in my surmises, and the man
whom | sent out to search in that di-
rection will probably bring him in"
The girls testimony was very impor
tant and she was looked at with inter
est as one who had seen the murderous
villain Questioned closely, it was
found that she could not give a de-
scription Of him; that he was almost
on n run and held his head down: that
he made across the street diagonally
and was at least half block from her,
and she could tell nothing as to the
color of his hair. eyes or clothing.
The men, presently returning, did not
bring him in; had found 20 trace of
him. and nothing had been discovered
10 give them IA clew, though the whole
place and the alley behind the store
buildings had been very carefully
searched.
The bank president grew impatient.
It seemed to hin. that the miscreant
might have been found at once had 1t
been rightly managed.
We must have a strong guard at the
bank tonight" he remarked to one of
the directors as they wended their way
thither. the chief accompanying them.
Il am satisfied that the fellow who at
tackled Mr.. Dean was only one of a
gang who have planned to rob the
bank. and they may try it yet, although
he failed to get the keys. He ought to
have been taken before this"
The chief was nettled and interposed
hotly.
You intimate, sir, that carelessness
and incompetency on our part has al
lowed him to escape. can assure you
that no one could have been more
prompt and thorough In the search
than we have. The depots are watch
,-d and every spot where n fuSitlv'
could be lurking has been, or is now
being, overhauled."
"Oh, Of course, Jenkins" the banl
president answered. You are doing
as well as you know how, l suppose;
but this is beyond the common town po
lice l shall telegraph to the city for
good detective at once"
You can do as you please" snapped
the chief. in high dudgeon.
Certainly" answered the president
blandly.
Such n bold attempt at crime had
| never before been made in the quiet
town, and IT was excited beyond meas
ure. The Morning News. being the
only morning paper in the place, had
big scoop on its several evening rivals.
and made the most of it. Column after
| column was filled with the stories OF
| different people, narrating all that was
known, suspected or imagined, and ii
sold like hot cakes.
The city detective arrived early and
excited much interest and comment
but like the great man that he was he
preserved a dignified reserve and 81
lence.
The physician who had cared for Mr.
Dean through the night reported him
rs much better: that he had passed
from unconsciousness into natural
sleep. and would probably awaken IA