The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-12-01

stranger have no idea where he would
be likely to stop. heard at the depot
that you had taken him up, and SO
came straight to you"
eff our friend wanted to see you, how
is it be didn't leave his address for
you?''
Burrows was compelled to think
quickly here, but be was equal to the
emergency.
tThat is what puzzled me at first.
but then it occurred to me that he could
not do SO without risking some detect
ives finding it out also"
"Well, look here, I must be sure
you're talkin straight, so jest tell me
the name of the man? We might be talk
in about different parties, after all. !"
This was trying moment to Burrows.
He had hoped, by prolonging the con-
versation, to surprise Weston into an ac-
cidental mention Of the name. Now that
the question was put he was compelled
to give the name which be suspected to
be the right one.
81 am endeavo1iDg to meet my friend
Walter Marvel"
Burrows could almost hear his heart
beat as he watched the face OF his host,
but Weston gave no sign and remained
| silent for few minutes.
"Well, guess it's all right. Mr..
Marvel was here Sunday night. .
Burrows felt shiver pass over him,
he was so relieved at this reply. Re-
straining himself as much as possible
in his endeavor not to seem too elated,
he continued:
stYou say he was here? Did be stop
overnight in your house?"
1'No; he only came In for a minute;
then he went.o on to his own place.
Burrows at once thought of the evil
dence given by young Harrison, which
this statement corroborated.
tYou mean the place where he goes to
put up when he is out shooting, do yoa
not?'
This acquaintance with Marvel's
habits evidently disarmed Weston Of any
lingering doubts as to the intentions Of
the detective, for be replied in q much
more friendly tone:
eyes, that's where he went. Whether
he's still there OF not can't say, for I
haven't seen him since that night.
81 suppose you can direct me how to
find it in the mornipS2"
'tOh, yes; but if you want to ketch
him at home you'd better start early. l
guess he's of with his gun most Of the
day
"I shall act en ycur advice 1 sup
pose that you have known Marvel a
long time, since you are so friendly. D
"Why. no; not exactly. You see, it
amt any special friendship I have for
Marvel that mado me SO careful. In
fact, I don't know much about him at
all. I haven't seen him more'n once or
twice altogether y
.'But I thought you were his friend. :"
ssI'm any mans friend when he's
down. heard all about the trouble he
had with Lewis, and as I didn't see as
how he'd done any different to what I
would myself wouldn't be the one to
help to ketch him."
e'But if you don't know Marvel how
can you be sure that he was the man
whom you picked ~ Sunday night?"
Burrows was beginning to fear some
mistake. However, be was reassured by
the positive reply Of his host.
33Oh, there amt any chance of a mis-
take! I suspected who twas. by the
way he was all mufaed Up and because
he went off luggin big bag without
sayin word to any one at the station.
So I just called him by name, and he
owned up, but he begged me not to tell
any one of his bein in town, and I
| haven't. u
81 believe you, Mr.. Weston, and l
! thank you for your discretion. Now, II
you Will show me to my room, I'll thank
you and ask you to call me sbout 6
O'clock
Burrows was we'll pleased with him
self and with the progress which he
had made SO far in the Investigation of
his clew. He thought that he had man
aged Weston with considerable adroit-
ness. All that he had hoped when be
had started was to find some clew to
prove Marvel's identity with the late
visitor at Riverside. He had succeeded
beyond his hopes, for here was wit
ness, however unwilling, who could be
made to testify that in the stranger and
despite his disguise he had been able to
recognize Marvel himself. Moreover.
be now felt satisfied that Marvel had
lied when he said that he had thrown
his disguise into the river, and he even
hoped to find some trace Of it at the old
house.
Promptly at Burrows was called,
and in very little time he was ready
10 start. Weston gave him full dlrec-
tions as to how to find Marvel's house.
After walking about a mile beyond
the more populous portion of the town
Burrows reached his destination, which
he readily recognized from Weston's de-
scription. The house itself could barely
be seen from the road. 1t was in the
| zc nd