Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-12-11
Copyright, 1897, by G. P. Putnam's Sons
CHAPTER XIV.
MR.. BARNES ON his METTLE.

MIR. Barnes and Virginia returned 10
Riverside farm. reaching there just as
the people were assembling for the fu-
neral services. The squire greeted Vir-
ginia cordially and looked interrogative-
" at Mr.. Barnes, evidently little con-
fused at seeing them together. Virginia
fastened to explain.
esquire, I hope you will be glad to
hear that Mr.. Barnes is now working in
my interestsf He does not believe that
Walter is guilty"
"Is that true?" said the squire, quick
" interested. II am glad to hear it, for,
though Burrows seems to have made
out a complete chain Of evidence, it
you, Mr.. Barnes, with your experience,
are unconvinced, there must be weak
spot in it. Tell me, how is it?"
"Mr. Burrows is mistaken. said
Mr.. Barnes. "His evidence is all good
and most important. His deductions,
however, are incorrect. As you say,
there is flaw. pointed it out to him,
but he is obstinate and refuses to see it.
he cannot convict Marvel without prov
ing that Miss Lewis here was an ao-
oomplice after the fact if not before"
"God forbid that he should 20 that. I"
~ was afraid that he would have
brought out this point before the grand
Jury, and that Miss Lewis as oonse-
auence would have been still in prison.
That he has not done 80 she Hs that he
secretly fears that he could not sustain
the charge"
"Well, but do you think you can
clear Marvel? If so, who did kill Lew
is9"
"Your last query is a hard one to
answer, but l must do 80 if I am to
prove Marvel's innocence. All I can
say now is that I hope to accomplish
that Now. I wish to see the body
again. Will you come with me?"
The squire and the detective moved
toward the parlor, where was the casket
containing the remains. Virginia weL
to her own room. The two men stood
beside the coffin moment tn silence.
Mr.. Barnes gazed intently at the char
red face, bandaged in silk handkerohiefs
to conceal the Disagreement, and the
squire wondered Of what he was think
ing. In truth Mr.. Barnes scarcely knew
himself. He had a dimly defined idea
within his mind and was awaiting it's
development. Presently his eyes wan
dered down to where the crossed arms
of the corpse lay upon the breast, and
he noted the diamond ring.
esquire" said be, II think mis-
take will be made if We do not inter-
fere."
"What do you mean?'
"There is ring on the finger Of the
corpse. 1t should not be buried"
"Why not?'
because the man was murdered, and
anything connected with the body may
become an article Of value as evidence
Of some kind"
"How can a ring amount to any
thing?"
~ don't say it will, bat it may. We
detectives, as you know, are cautious,
and should be indebted if you will re-
"Oh, certainly, if you specially wish
itP' The squire removed the ring with
some difficulty.
81 wish, squire, that you would keep
that yourself. Should anything occur
which will make it useful to me, I
shall know where to get it."
"Yes, will keep it, and it shall not
leave my possession unless I let you
know first"
81 thank you, but may I look at it
now for a moment?'
Certainly" The squire handed it
to him. Mr.. Barnes examined it close
", and, noticing all inscription on the
inside Of the band, went to the light to
decipher it. 1t proved to be Nv. to M. I"
The detective started and muttered,
"The same initials as were on the lock-
et!' Then, returning the ring to the
squire, he asked:
"Have you that locketr Though that
is foolish question, as suppose you
gave it to the authorities at Dover, with
the other things in evidence.
eyes. They were given up yester-
day."
IT wonder" thought the detective,
"if have made mistake. ] may wish
to see that locket once more, and must
question Miss Lewis"
At this moment the minister arrived,
and the ceremonies commenced. John
Lewis came in with him, and then
went to call Virginia, but she declined
to leave her room. At this there was
little surprise, for what girl would care
to show herself before so many people
after such an experience? The service
was brief, the main point in the dis
course being to impress upon the minds
of those present the transformers OF
human life and the extreme uncertainty
as to how long man might live or how
soon be called away from all that he
holds dear on earth, and therefore the
policy and wisdom Of so arranging
earthly affairs that one might be ready
to answer the call at any time. While
the worthy man spoke nothing but
truth, it is doubtful if any of his hearers
even so much as made his will the
next day, so far off do most men feel
from death.
The body was inferred in private
cemetery belonging to the estate, stu
ated at one end Of the farm, near a
Il l. D., .a1