The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-04-23
CHAPTER Xxx.

/
ing through Pennsylvania, that John
Latham first read of the murder of the
banker Richard Willmarth. The kill
ing of so rich and prominent "A citizen,
the apparent holiness of the crime, and
the mystery thrown about il in the
earlier publications of the event, made
the news of such interest that it was
given prominence i'm all the dailiCs of
the country. But comparatively few of
those TO whom the knowledge was
brought could have felt such interest
in it as John Latham How, he asked
himself, would it affect the fortunes of
his friend Chester Sewall? Would Irma
Willmarth, presumably free now to fol-
low the bent of her own inclinationS,
reward the constant affection of her
lover by making him her husband at us
early day as propriety would permit?
Or might it be that her obstinate father
had found some ingenious legal device
for still constraining her to his will?
There was also just possibility-by no
means probable, however, he reflected
that the sudden acquisition of independ-
ence and control of great wealth might
modify her ideas of the desirability of
matrimony. AT all events he concluded.
the sudden death of Mr. Willmarth was
most likely 10 prove Il rather fortunate
thing for Chester, particularly if he
should take exactly the right course Of
action. That the young man would do
so without better guidance than his
own John doubted, and he was conse-
quently inpatient to get home and offer
such counsel and aid as might appear
to be required.
To the time Of his reaching Trenton,
hardly an hours ride from New York.
each train of thought in John Latham's
mind connected with the subject Of the
Willmarth murder had Chester Sewall's
interests for its objective point, but
there he obtained an afternoon paper, in
which he read:
1t is now known that Mr. WiIlmarth
was going TO see man named Michael
McCaffrey when he met his death. The
discovery Of this fact was "A triumph of
detective genius. 1t puts in the hands of
the police the key for elucidation of the
mystery. The ends Of justice compel the
suppression Of details for the present.
No arrests have yet been ordered, but
they can be made at any moment and
are hourly expected A"
Going to see Michael McC affrey!
Mrs. Hall had not confded to him the
name of the man who so deeply wronged
her husband or even given "A hint that
might suggest his identification, but
John Latham knew it now. Richard
Willmarth was the mani And it was i'm
going to a meeting with his former ac-
or tool that he had met DEATH
Well, if this was not poetic Justice" il
would be difficult to say what might be.
Willmarth the man? OF course he was.
The INSCRIPTIONS, resolute selfishness
and avarice which were popularity recog-
nized as his dominant characteristics
would have qualified him for such n
deed as the widow alleged, and his DOW
er of wealth and influence were such as
would justify her dread of awaking the
of her unnamed enemy un-
nj she was sure of the weapons with
which TO meet him. And now. as an
added proof, if one were needed. the
name of his long hidden coparcener in |
rhine, Michael Mccartney, cropped up.
linked with his in close and secret asso.
,iation.
BY the time his train had reached
Jersey City Mr.. Latham had clearly
planned his course of procedure. Travel
stained and weary as he was he deter
mined upon going into action at once.
Without waiting even to consult his |
principal, Mrs. Hall. Sending his valises |
home by express, he jumped into the |
lrst hack that presented itself ON the |
Jew York side of the ferry and ordered |
himself taken with all possible speed to
he station house of the precinct in |
which Mr.. Willmarth had lived. Ches-
er Sewall's interests and his relations |
o the Willmarth family were, for the |
lme being forgotten. The widow Halls
oncerns took precedence of everything
lse in Johns estimation just then. He
if she knew that McCaffrev
ad come to light or was likely to be
lade to do so. OF course she must have
cen informed by the morning papers
hat Willmarth was dead, and no doubt
Dok it for granted that in his so escap-
ne her long prayed for vengeance her
opes of attaining justice were extin.
uished Probably she would not see the
vening paper at all. 1t was his impress.
ION that she did not read evening pa
ers. Should he telegraph to her? No,
g decided that he would not until he
ad accomplished something.
His cogitations were interrupted nv
he stopping Of the hack at the station
ouse door.
The police captain received Mr.. La
lam courteously and heard with mani.
'st interest the frank statement he
lade OF his reasons for desiring an i'm.
'ediate interview with Michael McCaf.
'ey, for whose address he asked.
~ have no reason to doubt, :, said the
.ptain, refectively reviewing the case
tier hearing him through, that will.
'arth would have been quite capable Of
Ding what you have told me. He had
Re reputation Of being hard man. IL
bic to get fha boof o..<,co- - - |