Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-12-02

The detective saw that he had almost
hopeless task to make this river yield
ND its secret, II indeed it held one.
However, he was not man easily
daunted by obstacles, and he deter.
mined to make an attempt that night.
He chose the night for his experiment,
deeming it wisest to make the condi.
lions as nearly as possible similar to
those under which the accused had act
ed. He thought that the currents among
these rocks might be different at night,
as then the mills would not be working.
He closely examined the dam and con-
ceived a new idea. The dam was made
of wood, and as its construction must
be clear to you in order that You may
understand the course pursued by Mi.
Barnes it becomes necessary to describe
II.
The bridge is about 100 feet south Of
the point where the water goes over the
dam. Standing on this bridge, one no.
tioes a smooth body Of water flowing
toward the place where it rushed over
the dam, but he forms no idea Of the
power Of the current from this point Of
view. On the line where the stream
daih,s downward he sees some boards
pr, ,oting above the surface from each
side Of the river toward the center for
q distance equal to one-quarter Of the
width Of the stream. Between these
points where the dam rises above the
level the water rushes over the dam,
which is two feet lower along the center
than at the sides. Going below the dam
that is, to the north Of it-one easi-
" sees how it is constructed. Immense
triangles of timber are laid along the
rocks, resting on the short sides. Thus
their hypotenuses face the south, and
on them are nailed the boards which
form the dam. Therefore, as the water
rushes over, there is space under the
dam where it is comparatively dry-at
least, no great amount Of water finds its
way there, as only what leaks through
drips down.
It was while looking at this space
that the new idea occurred to the de-
tective. In order to turn the mill wheels,
sluices are built which conduct the wa
ter in the desired direction. When these
are open, it is evident that a strong cur
rent sets in the direction Of the mill.
This is so powerful and there is such
suction downward that objects on the
surface would be drawn below and car.
ried into the mill, were 1t not that the
sluice gates are furnished with gratings
to keep out such jetsam. Studying this
point, it became evident to the detective
that if the sluices were open on Sunday
night, the bundle Of clothing must be
looked for at these gratings.
He therefore went to the mill and
asked for the man who had the care OF
the sluices. From him he learned that
they had been closed on the night Of the
murder, and then persuaded him to
have them closed this evening also, so
that the conditions might be the same.
Leaving the vicinity Of the mill, he
went back to Riverside and enjoyed his
supper with Miss Lewis. After the
meal he said:
where is Mr.. Lewis3 Is he not stay.
ing here?'
HE accepted an invitation to visit
the squire tonight"
"All the better; the fewer people who
know what do tonight the more
pleased shall be. Now, then, I want a
suit of your uncle's clothing; old ones
will do"
Twill get what You want" Virginia
left the room, returning few minutes
later with some clothing. The detective
placed the articles In a pail Of water, al
lowing them to become thoroughly wet
before he removed them. Next he rolled
them into o compact bundle. which he
tied securely.
~ am now ready for my experiment.
My idea is to go to the bridge aud throw
that bundle over, az Marvel claims
that he did. and then see what becomes
Of it. am sorry that cannot ask him
at just what point he did this, but /
must do the best I can without this
knowledge. The probability is that he
tossed the bundle over as soon as he got
on the bridge and with his right hand.
Therefore he would have thrown it over
on the side nearest the dam. At any
rate, that Is what shall do"
'I:see what your idea is and am anx-
ious to have the experiment tried. Shall
we go at once?"
"No. I cannot tell what difference
the hour may make on the currents, and
SO many days after they may be totally
different. However, shall 60 at the
same hour as he did. At least it will
insure our not being observed. Besides,
I wish II possible to see Everly, and
think he will return before II o'clock"
You will wait till that hour?"
Eyes. You left Marvel at the river
and reached your room at 1890. He
came here after that, then went to his
own house and back to the bridge,
where he must have arrived at or about
$780,"
The evening passed slowly, most Of
the time being consumed by these two
in discussion Of the subject which alb
sorbed their minds, until, at about a
quarter to II, horses hoofs sounded
without, and moment later they were
Joined by Will Everly.
WELL" said the detective, 'what
news?'
II found Ainsley and through him
was enabled to see the looket."
Very goodl What is the inscrip-
tion?'
"Simply w. M. The word to- does
not appear, and the letters are 80 close
together there is no chance that 1t ever
was there. 1t occurred to me that 1t
may have been and have become worn
out but that is impossible"
AS this hope was dispelled Virginia
seemed much disappointed.
What do you think now, Mr..