Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-11-10
CHAPTER vi.

In pursuance of the directions left by
Mr.. Barnes and communicated to him
by Burrows, Squire Olney impaneled a
Jury, taking them to the Lewis farm
and allowing them to examine the
corpse, where it lay in the position as
when discovered. He then adjourned
the inquest until the return of the alb
sent detective. Meanwhile he ordered
DR.. Snow, a competent surgeon, to
make an autopsy, placing the corpse in
an upper room and in charge Of the
physician.
The jurymen and assembled neigh
bors dispersed slowly, as though loath
to leave the vicinity. Burrows mixed
with them, hoping to extract some clew
by conversation which might prove of
value to him. In this he failed entire
ly. The greater number apparently sus-
pected that Walter Marvel was impli-
Gated, and as he was general faVorlte
they feared to speak with the detective
lest they should compromise their
friend.
One man, however, voluntarily ap-
preached him and said:
"They tell mo as how you're the de-
tective."
"You are quite right" said Burrows
hopefully.
"My names Skene," said the other,
Josiah Skeue, station agent down to
Lee Deepo'. hearn bout this here in
quest, an tho't I'd run up all see how
you re gittin on. Anybody 'rested?"
"Well, hardly" answered Burrows,
with smile "We have only been at
work few hours, you KNOW"
"Well, that only goes to show. I al
ways tho't as how them stories in the
Borston papers wuz kinder farfetched.
They make outs though you detective
fellers wuz quicker'n creased lightnin.
I guess you amt no smarter than other
folks. l guess I could put you up to
snuff in this case anyway" Mr.. Skene
took his long chin whisker in his left
hand, stroked it once and then turned it
up so that he readily bit the end, the
while looking at Burrows through the
corner of his eyes, his head turned part
" away, as though he were contemplate
ing something Oh the distant horizon.
"Do you know anything?" Burrows
spoke with a little anxiety. He recog-
nized that the man was an eccentric
and feared to do or say something that
would antagonize him. After long
pause came the reply:
"Mebbe.' - Only this one word, NUT
tered without removal of the whisker
from his mouth. Burrows waited for
more, but was forced to continue the
conversation himself.
"Mr. Skene, this is dreadful busi-
ness, and if you can help US to unravel
it am sure you will do so. y
"Ain't that what I'm up here for3
D'you s'pose tramped up here for ex-
ercise? Not much. But the joke is that
you should need me to tell you any
thing. You're o detective from Bors.
ton. l tho't as how you fellers wuz so
cute like that you jest looked at the
dead man an rested the murderer
straight off; saw his likeness in the
corpse's eyes or suthin. I've read that
in books, but l guess you reel detectives
amt so darned smart as all that, hay?"
"No, I am afraid not. We are no
smarter than other folks, only we make
business of putting two and two to-
gether, that's all. You could tell that it
would make four as easily could. But
you have your railroad business, Mr..
Skene, and I have to look for criminals.
That is the only difference. Burrows
tried little conciliatory flattery, and it
operated to make Mr.. Skene more COM
municative.
"By Jehosaphat! You hit it square
that time. I kin smell rat, but it amt
my place to hunt him down. So guess
I'll tell you who killed Lewis all let
you ketch him. Only seems to me you
oughtn't to git all the glory, hay?"
"You give me the clew, Mr.. Skene,
and when I arrest the man you shall
have full credit for giving me the clew. y
"Oh, I'm only jokin. You ketoh the
feller an I'll be satisfied. 1 amt lookin