The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-12-08

! the CHEF could say a word ne was gone,
and his superior more than half doubted
the wisdom of the course which he had
pursued But that is only mans ma
ture. We often decide quickly, only to
regret as soon as the decision Is irrev-
ocable.
Leaving the agency, Mr.. Barnes pro-
, ceeded to q telegraph Office and sent a
dispatch to the clerk Of the court at
Dover, asking for news as to the result
of the examination before the grand
jury. This done, he went to his home
and dined, after which he waited impa-
tiently for telegram from Dover, be-
cause he had decided to do nothing IN
til he should hear from the court officer.
The afternoon passed, and the evening,
till at length he concluded that be
would not hear till the following day,
and therefore retired to rest. Early in
the morning he received the dispatch,
which read:
Marvel indicted for murder. !"
This was only what be had expected,
but he could not repress an exclamation
Of disgust at what he still thought was
the consequence of criminal interference
on the part OF Burrows. What should be
do Ye1t?
That was the point to settle, but
| while he ate his breakfast and pondered
over this point servant announced that
8 lady wished to see him. He at once
repaired to his parlor, whittier she had
been shown, and was astounded to see
Virginia Lewis
"You are no doubt surprised that !
am here -
s'I confess that am
"I have been set at liberty, and Mr..
Marvel has been indicted by the grand
jury"
81 have just received telegram to
that effect. -
"What will you do next? I went to
the agency in search Of you and learned
that you have severed your connection
with the case. Will you tell ne why
you did sos'
Because they refuse to recall Me-
Burrows. -
.sThen you do not think that the evi-
dence which be discovered proves the
guilt of Mr. Marvel:'
Miss Lewis. must tell you that I
did not credit the story which you told
duplicating yourself, and if believe
in your innocence I must also believe in
Mr.. Marvel's.' %
"Why so?''
Burrows is no doubt right in claim
ing that the murderer is the man who
made the trip to Epping that night,
but think be is wrong in his identia-
cation Of this man. -
''I thought be had that all thorough
" explained"
"Miss Lewis, I imagine from your
coming here thatyou Wish my aid
'sI have come to you because fam
cied that you believe Mr.. Marvel inno-
cent. / wish you to try to prove it. -
Precisely. Meanwhile you yourself
suspect thas he is guilty, do you not?"
ST do not say so. ;"
''It is &C, nevertheless But we shall
not get along in this way. You must
not fence with me any more. We are on
the same side low, and though Burrows
has not had as much experience as I
have it will take all my skill to destroy
the case which he has made out against
your lover" Mr.. Barnes used this word
purposely to arouse her to action.
81 trust you, Mr.. Barnes, and place
our affair in your hands. Ask me what
you please, and Twill reply. .
every good. In the first place tell
me am I not right in saying that you
have believed that Mr. Marvel is
guilty:"
eyes. You are right.
every good. That proves your inno-
cence. Now I will demonstrate his, to
your satisfaction at least" He explain
ed the discrepancy as to time in the
theory of the other detective.
"But, then, :" said Virginia, the real
murderer must have placed the pistol
where it was found, SO as to throw sus-
picion on Mr.. Marvel:'
Exactly! You are quick to see
things, quicker than our adversary, Mr.
Burrows. Before We so into that, how
ever, tell me why you consider Marvel
guilty. You must have more reason for
that opinion than is known to me-
s'I have. After we separated across
the river, as you shrewdly discovered,
he returned to the farm. He admitted
to you that he had entered the house.
but he did not tell you that he had left
a note for me. I found this in the morn
ing and, as I see now, / misconstrued it.
That was the secret motive Of all my
actions thereafter. %
"Have you the letter now?'
eyes, here it is" Taking it from her
pocket, she handed it to Mr.. Barnes. It
read as follows:
When we parted tonight, you spoke Us though
you could not give me the answer that wish.
Perhaps when this reaches you you may see