The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-12-04

Mr.. sonntag examined the PLACE infinitely.
room behind it is being used for some
purpose, entrance is not gained from
here. See what pains have been taken
to hide the work. The whole wall has
been newly whitewashed. If that had
not been done, the new masonwork
would be glaringly perceptible. Let us
go into the house cellar and have
look at the dividing wall tire"
1t needed but glance to see that this
wall had not been tempered with. The
whitewash was old, and there was no
spot where it had been renewed.
81 have already examined the out
side place." the old lawyer remarked,
as we assembled the stairway.
"That was not whitewashed, and, if
remember rightly, the stones used
looked old and worn like the rest of the
foundation" l said.
"Yes; the stones used in both the
doorways were old ones. But they are
of different kind of stone," he re-
Ahol ASdS With q Dill CWb oLlllCs
Different kind? What significance
would that have?"
"All the stone quarried about here is
limestone. You will find the founda-
tons and walls under your house are
built with this kind. If any other kind
was used it would have to be brought
from distance. Sandstone was used
| for the two doorways."
"And was therefore brought from q
distance?" 1 asked.
perhaps not in this case.@'
"But you said there is nothing but
limestone quarried about here" sug-
| gested.
"And that is true. The stones used
| in the doorwaSs had been used before,
for they are old and weatherbeaten.
| Do you remember a small stone build
| ing up at the mountain, which years
ago was used as schoolhouse? my
lawyer asked.
"Oh, yes! 1t was known as the
Mountain school," replied.
well, it is fast going to ruin," Sonn-
tag continued; "has not been used for
years, am told. The point is here:
That old schoolhouse was built of
sandstone. Where the builders got the
stone 1, of course, cannot say, but evil
IDENTIFY not around here. 1t is my be-
| lief the stones in the two doorways
were taken from the old tumble down
schoolhouse."
"And supposing your surmise is
correct one, does it furnish you with a
clew to the person or persons who did
the job?" / asked.
Perhaps" he replied, shortly.
AS he raised his head to answer, rec
objection flashed upon me. "Ah!" I
exclaimed. 81 have been cudgeling my
brain in the endeavor to remember
where had seen you before"
He quickly turned toward me with a
kalf-smile on his face, but offered no
reply.
Il have seen you in Philadelphia" 1
continued.
Possibly. fused to live there before
coming to Twineburgh," he remarked,
indifferently.
you have been in Twineburgh but
six months" went on.
Eyes"
"And I saw you for the first time
about a year ago. l almost knocked
you over as I was coming out of the
presidents Office in the Safety security
bank. You were just going in, and /
ran into you"
"Ah, possibly. I have had business
dealings with that concern" the old
lawyer replied.
Sand you knew Mr.. Perry, the presi-
dent?"
"Yes, slightly"
Then why did you ask me at the
time if was the PRESIDENT" asked.
Sonntag gave twitch of the shout
der, and his shrewd sharp eyes
twinkled.
did ask you that?" he queried.
"Do you not remember?"
Cant say that do" he replied.
ut seems strange you should leave
the city to engage in the practice of
law in small town like Twineburgh,"
I said, musingly.
why stranger" was his curt ques-
ton.
"Oh, well, you are quite advanced in
years, and, with your long experience,
ought to have commanded a larger and
more lucrative practice in large place
like Philadelphia than in small coun-
try town."
He did not reply for few moments,
but stood with a whimsical look on his
face with his eyes turned toward the