The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-31
sopys,sn,. 1857 BY G. purnAMs SONS.

'
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 be, 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
anything connected with the body may
become an article Of value as evidence
If some kind"
How can q ring amount to any
ihing?"
II don't say it will, but 1t may. We
detectives, as you know, are cautious,
and should be indebted if you will re-
move it,"
"Oh, certainly, if you specially wish
I'll" The squire removed the ring with
some difficulty.
II wish, squire, that you would keep
chat yourself. Should anything occur
which will make it useful to me, I
shall know where to get it."
"Yes, will keep it, and it shall not
leave my possession unless let you
know first"
II thank you, but may look at 1t
now for a moment?"
Certainly" The squire handed II
to him. Mr.. Barnes examined it close
ly, and, noticing an inscription on the
inside of the band, went to the light to
deoipher it, 1t proved to be "W. to M"
The detective started and muttered,
"The same initials as were on the lock.
etp' Then, returning the ring to the
squire, he asked:
"Have you that locket? Though that
is foolish question, as I suppose you
gave it to the authorities at Dover, with
the other things in evidence"
"Yes. They were given up yester.
day"
IT wonder" thought the detective,
eff havo made mistake. I may wish
to sec that locket once more, and I must
question Miss Lewis"
At this moment the minister arrived,
and tho ceremonies commenced. John
Lewis came in, with him, and then
went to call Virginia, but she declined
to leave her room. At this there was
little surprise, for what girl would care
to show herself before SO many people
after such an experienced The service
was brief, the main point in the dis
course being to impress upon the minds
Of those present the transformers Of
human life and the extreme uncertainty
as to how long man might live or how
soon be called away from all that he
holds dear on earth, and therefore the
policy and wisdom Of go arranging
earthly affairs that one might be ready
to answer the call at any time. While
the worthy man spoke nothing but
truth, it is doubtful if any of his hearers
even so much as made his will the
next day, so far off do most men feel
from death.
The body was inferred in private
cemetery belonging to the estate, stu
ated at ono end Of the farm, near
growth of timber land. After the funeral
the people dispersed.
Mr.. Barnes approached Will Everly
as he was about to leave and said:
edo you remember me, Mr.. Everly?"
Certainly; you are Mr.. Barnes. Miss
Lewis tells me that you are now devoted
to the interests OF Mr.. Marvel. Is that
true?'
"It is, and now I wish to intrust to
you an errand that may serve him. Will
you undertake it,"
"Just give mo chance"
"Have you fast horse?"
81 have, and can get faster If there
be any need"
"What wish done is very simple,
but it must be done without delay, for I
wish to have word tonight, as I shall BIO
Obliged to leave here tomorrow.
II can go where you wish at once"
"Go then to Dover and hunt up the
clerk Of the court. His name is Ain
sley"-
II know him very well, and where to
find him."
"All the better. See him, and tell
him that you wish to look at tho locket
which has played so conspicuous part
in this case. If he has not the custody
of it, he will DO able to take you to the
one who has See the locket tonight, il
possible. Look on the outside and find
out what the inscription is, whether it
Is w. NJ or w. to NJ The word to-,
if on the trinket, will save your friends
life. Lose no time"
Everly needed no second bidding, but
was off on run at once. Mr.. Barnes
seemed satisfied, and turned into the
house. Here he found Lucas and spoke
to him.
"This is sad business, Mr.. Lucas. p"
Indeed it is. Iwould gladly take the
place Of the prisoner for the sake Of his
sister, if not Of himself"
Miss Marvel has passed through
trying ordeal. How is she now?'
"She is very i'll. OF course she was
Frustrated at the inquest because of the
r>Em