The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-02-22

Ene sheriff could not refuse, and after
supper he was taken to the house. l
did not see much of his work, but it
was talked about for long months after
ward. The murderer had got in by
parlor window, which was six feet from
the ground. He had used a chisel to
force up the sash. He had lighted three
or four matches in making his way into
the sitting room. He had gone out by the
same window, crossed a newly made
garden and climbed a fence. He had
used regular dagger instead of knife
in his work. He had secured the box be-
fore the old man was aroused and had
also taken small sum of money from
the trousers hanging on the chair.
The tracks in the garden were still
fresh when the detective took hold Of
the work, and in three minutes he had
made up his mind to something He had
little to say to any Of the men, explain
ing that he had not yet completed his
Investigations, but as he left the house
to return to the inn, while l followed at
a respectful distance, he turned down a
quiet lane, beokoned me to follow, and
when we were alone he lighted his pipe
and asked:
''Boy, do you know any man in town
who is lame in the left leg?'
did not. Then he asked if any stran-
ger who was lame had been seen in
town during the last two or three days.
answered in the negative, but added
that there was a man with a wooden
loo, nj he 81
question me about this man, not yet
having seen him himself, and 1 told
him all knew and all had heard. OF
course he told me nothing in return,
though / heard him chuckling to HIM
self, and his face betrayed the fact that
he was pleased about something. acted
as his guide to the Jail, and when in the
presence of the sheriff he said:
Il want you to go with me to over
haul the man with the wooden leg at
the tavern.
"But he can't have done it, " protest
ed the officer. 1.-The tracks you found
showed that the murderer had two feet "
Just SO, and he was lame in the left
leg"
''But this man Gordan has lost his
left leg at the knee. p"
II want to see if he has"
The sheriff, detective and constable,
with two or three citizens, proceeded to
the inn and to Gordan's room. He sat
smoking and reading and had his supper
brought up to him that night, claiming
to be suffering with neuralgia. He was
cool and quiet and offered cigars all
around, but those who were watching
him saw him grow pale as the sheriff
began by begging his pardon and hoped
no offense would be taken, but would
he let them look at his wooden leg?
Gordan faltered and bluffed and was
reaching for pistol under his pillow
when the detective seized him. He
fought like demon and it took the FIVE
or six men to overcome him. When
they had him securely bound, they I'M
strapped his wooden leg, and, 10, his
left foot was there as right as any
mans. His leg was supple one, and
he had bent the lower portion back and
strapped it thus and then put his knee
In the crotch of the wooden leg. OF all
those who had taken look at his leg
not one had suspected the cheat
Yes, he was the man who had robbed
the merchant and the postmaster, and
he was also the murderer of Squire
Higgins The plumber and the dagger
were found in his trunk, which he had
ready packed, as he was intending to
leave town next day. He simply laid
his wooden leg aside when he went out
at night. The wearing of it gave him
sort of halt when it was removed, and
as he crossed the garden after the MUIR
der the left foot pressed the ground
more lightly than the right. On the evil
denoe worked up by the detective in a
couple of hours time Gordan was tried,
convicted and hung, and every dollar Of
The stolen money went back to the right
full owners