The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-14

NY tucOIy 40 tuloB itpiiCu luAs
Barnes. miss Lewis entered this room
this morning, perhaps opened the win
dow, and then discovered the dead body,
the weapon and perchance more-at any
rate, enough to make her suspect young
Marvel. Here let me point out that the
fact that she does so is not sufficient
reason for our suspecting him. 1t was
not necessary for her to know him guilty
for her to attempt to shield him. 1t was
enough for her to entertain suspicion.
Convinced of even the possibility Of his
guilt, she might try to save him from
tho consequences of the act"
Burrows had listened quite attentive
ly to all this and was much impressed
by the reasoning. After thinking few
moments in silence, he asked:
"Do you think that the letter which
she wrote is to her lover?'
Again Mr.. Barnes was pleased to
note that Burrows followed his line Of
argument. He replied:
Eyes, think the letter is to Marvel,
but her writing to him might be a Sc
quence in either case. Whether she
committed the deed herself or thinks
him guilty, she would probably write
to him.
SIT would be we'll, then, for us to
get that letter."
well, indeedi It would at least
show us his whereabouts. But how to
become possessed of it? That is the
question. We need not expect to obtain
it till it has left her custody, and be
sure she will 10 very careful how she
forwards it.
"If We could get the pistol, might
We not be able to find out who is the
owner of it? That would be something
perhaps"
"Assuredly. Besides. it is probable
that, though cleaned, one chamber may
still be empty. We have the shell and
evidence of the recent cleaning. As
soon as Miss Lewis leaves the house, as
she will do to start her letter OH its
way, will get the pistol from her
cabinet"
SIS there anything moro that we can
discover in this room?"
"Let US look"
To approach tie body they walked
around small table, which stood in
front Of the fireplace. On this were scat
tered loosely some papers. A drawer
stood partly open, and large cut glass
inkwell uncovered. Mr.. Barnes glanced
at these things as he passed, and his
eye was attracted by half sheet Of pa
per, with bit of writing, which pro-
truded from under the other clean
sheets. He picked it up, more from Gu
riosity than interest, but after he had
read it his manner showed at once that
he thought it important Burrows look
ed at him inquiringly, but for mo-
ment Mr.. Barnes did not heed him. He
was looking at the table before him
and seemed studying the situation. AT
length he spoke:
miss Lewis has destroyed or re-
moved another clew. See this. " lie
handed the piece Of paper to Burrows,
who took it and read as follows:
"If l am dead in the morning, my
murderer is
The word ''is'' was followed by
huge blot, as though the pen had splut
tered at that point. Burrows locked at
Mr.. Barnes in silence, and tie latter
continued:
Mr. Lewis was not killed outright.
He even saw and recognized his muir
derer. He attempted to warn his friends
and insure justice. Fearing death be-
fore aid would reach him, he wrote
that. Evidently excited, perhaps al
ready growing weak, us he reached the
name of his assailunt his hand trem-
bled, his pen spluttered ard he threw
it from him. Here it is, lying on Il
piece Of paper, which it has blutted
where it fell. However, he cssayed
again. and this time he succeeded, for
see, he has placed the second pen care
fully, the point Oh the edge Of the ink
well, proving that he finished his note
of warning. Miss Lewis undoubtedly
found it. She read the name. Whose
was it? Her own Or Marvcl's? If any
other, why should she remove it:'
What would Miss Lewis do if you
showed her this paper and demanded
the othcr?"
II cannot tell She might deny hay
ing it. She might admit taking it and
refuse to yield possession of it. She
might treat me with scorn and deny
my right to question her OH the subject
ut all. However, | may conclude to
test her. may ask her the question. "
Burrows stood thinking and looking
down, when suddenly he noticed some.
thing on the floor which attracted his
attention. He stopped to examine it
and then called Mr.. Barnes, who was
still absorbed in the table and its con-
tents. Mr.. Barnes joined him and
locked at what Burrows picked up
some bits of plastering. Both simulta-
neously looked upward and saw just
,ver their heads small hole in the
ceiling.
"The mark of bullet" said Mr..
Itl hta. llO oNNl " lu' W
low, where he stood for minute, alter
lately looking out and at the bullet
lole in the plastering. THAT shot
'amo from without, passed through this
window and struck as we SEQ overhead I
The summer house there is just in the
inc. Evidently there was moro than
me shot fired. for that ball could not
rave passed entirely through the body
md then have continued upward"
"Shall we examine the grounds i
lowT' said Burrows.
Eyes. think we have learned all
We can at present in here"
Followed by his companion, Mr..
Barnes then led tho way out Of the
ouse.
CHAPTER III.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW.