Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-09-23

which they have left for our eXamina-
tion, it is evident that they separated
here, for the woman plainly walked off
toward the river, whereas the man re-
turned, as he had entered, through the
little gate yonder."
"Mr. Barnes, as there seem to be so
many sets of impressions, would it not
be well to make o drawing Of the
grounds and the general direction of
the tracks, for convenience as we'll as
reference?"
"A good suggestion. We will act up
OH it at once. But wait here moment
There is man going along the road I
will question him about last nights
snow" Mr.. Barnes hurried over to the
fence, where he found tho man await
ing him, having been attracted by
call from Burrows.
GOOD morning, friend. Do you live
about here?"
"Yes, jest over the bridge"
''Then perhaps you can tell me about
what hour it stopped showing last even
ing. 1t may seem trifle to stop you
about, but have good reason for in
quiring and hope you won't mind my
troubling you."
'No trouble tall, not the least in
the world. Le'me see, don't know as
I kin tell you for sartin, cause went
ter bed airly last night. But stop
minute. Come ter think, kin find out
purity nigh all kin give you some notion
myself"
II shall be much indebted, and hope
you can fix the time as near as posi-
ble."
"Well, as I said before, went ter
bed airly-7 o'clock, in fact Twas
snowin hard then, an lowed 'twould
keep up all night. slept purity sound,
but was walked up by the noise my girls
made comm in from visit ter a neigh
boris. You know how it's when
mans woke up. Hos kinder crusty an,
more an all, can't tell whether he's
slept ten hours or ten minutes. So, as
the girls went by my door, I growled
out, Amt you purity late gittin homer
NO, pop; it's just 8 o'clock, como the
answer Seein as how had good
nights rest before me, felt leetle
mite pleasanter, an in O. easier tone l
said, L s'pose the SHOWS purity deep,
aint it?' Not very, says one on 'em. 1T
stopped awhile ago, an the moons out
now That's all was said. But you see
that shows it didn't snow after 8,
though, CT you want it nearer, mebbe
ken find out from tho girls
Il should thank you to ask them.
Will you please give me your nameT'
"Jef Harrison's my name, an any
one'll show you my house eff you care
ter come up an speak ter the girls your
SELF
II am much obliged, Mr.. Harrison,
and perhaps I'll accept your invitation
to call"
"I'll be glad ter see you. But, say,
there amt nothin wrong, is there!
Nothin speshul, hay?'
"No," replied Mr.. Barnes, not deem
ing it wise to tell Of the death OF Mr.
Lewis. lest he be kept from his investi-
cation by further talk.
"You amt got track of young Marvel
yet. is you?'
"Not yet" r
"Well, good day ter you. Hope ter
see you up ter the house by an by.
JEFF Harrison walked off slowly, evil
IDENTIFY reluctant to leave. AS he passed
on ho muttered to himself: Guess he's
the detective they told about down ter
Lee Depot. Guess he's a cute one. Amt
much of hand at answerin questions
A doggoned sight better at askin 'em.
Wonder why he wants ter know when
the snow stopped. Them fellers kin
make mighty sight out Of burned lit
tie, that's what I think. And so he
trudged on, still wondering at the pres
ence of the detectives and what 1t all
portended.
Mr.. Barnes rejoined Burrows, and
they followed each set Of footprints
thoroughly, the elder choosing his and
assigning the others to his companion.
Then the two men returned to the par
lor, where Mr.. Barnes tore off half
sheet Of paper from some which lay on
the center table, and upon it made
careful drawing. This completed, they
discussed the situation.
"Well," began Burrows, "now that
you have finished your map of the move
ments of the several parties who were
about these premises last night, what
do you learn from it?'
"Wo found four sets of tracks, said
Mr.. Barnes, "besides the dogs, which
latter may prove of value. Two of these
we think were made by women and
two by men. For convenience have
numbered them l, 3, 8 and 4. l will
consider number 4 first. "
"Why not take them IN the regular
order?' ..-
"That is what I mean to do. But,
whereas have numbered them in rota-
ton as I discovered them, l will trace
them in the order in which they were
made.
"You don't pretend that You can do
that2" said Burrows incredulously.
IT think 80 and commence with num-
ber 4. This was made by woman.
Unfortunately can find no distinct con.
tinuation of any of the tracks outside
the gates, for passing teams have obllt-
Grated them. We find the first of num-
ber 4 at the little gate. The woman
went directly to tho summer house and
into the northern side (M). That she
was the earliest on the scene is evident,
because the tracks which she made 60
ing in are almost entirely destroyed by
the snow which fell since. even got
SO far as to venture the opinion that