The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-01-29

ne conNershtlon was bnc nOst iot-
tunate chance that ever befell me in my
whole professional career"
''Oh, then, you think jackson was
one of the parties holding the CONVEX
sation?" l asked.
"Assuredly. Has not the result
proved that?" he replied.
"But then. who-who could have
been the other?" l asked. with great
fear and dread.
Wilson dropped his head and seemed
to be considering his reply.
Impossible to answer that ques-
tion," he finally said, reluctantly.
sand l don't know as there is any
cause for either you or me ever to re-
fer to that conversation. You see, q
detective feels sensitive at not being
able to discover everything concerning
an important case. And, although we
have been wonderfully successful, who
Horace Jackson's assistant or master
(for he undoubtedly had one) was, will
probably remain forever mystery.
At least l shall not attempt anything
more il the case. My duty is COM
pleted."
My heart gave bound. Mr.. Morley's
connection with the robbery was not
suspected, even by one of the most
aE:ute detectives in America. My
promise, then. might be fulfilled. and
Florence, at least, spared the kuowl-
edge that her father was great Grim
inal.
noticed Wilson's sharp eyes were
on my face. and strove to cloak my
satisfaction. Then the detective held,
out his hand and gave mine hearty
grip.
The bodies had better be removed
upstairs" Wilson then said, resumingl
his matter-of-fact manner
In due time the two bodies were ly-
ing, side by side, on the floor Of myt
bedroom.
The man whose life before the world
had been blameess and honorable, a
synonym for business virtue and in
tegrity, but who was in reality the
greatest rogue imaginable--who, from
his capacity for engineering large en-
deavors, l knew must have been the
prime factor in the robbcry--lay there
beside his tool, who had become as ac-.
complished rogue as his master, Z
Hypocrisy and pretense have always
inspired the greatest repugnance in
me. But, as | gazcd down on the face
OF him whose daughter was my prom
ised wife, and remembered the bright
spot in all the blackness of his real
character, the love and affection for his
offspring, my heart was heavy with
sorrow for him. "a
That love, so deep, so fond, that he
gave up his life rather than yield to
thought which might cause her unhap-
piness-surely such love was atone
inent enough for the evil he had
wrought.
Mr., Perry was standing beside me as
these thoughts few through my mind
81 cannot understand how, or why
Sylvester Morley should become mixed
up in this affair and so meet his DEATH"
the president said, In grave tones.
"Surely-but then that is too wild a
thought to utter. But there is some
thing l cannot understand about it,"
'"Oh, Mr.. Perry" exclaimed, ut is
my fault. I should have explained be-
fore, but the affair has sent my wits
! wool-gathering." handed him the
bond l had picked up, giving brief ac-
count of the finding. Then went on:
After found the bond, I Immediately
! informed Mr.. Morley, as he was an in
terested party, being one of the trus-
tees of the bank. and I wished some
older heads advice. explained every
thing to him in answer to the numer-
GUS questions he asked me-"
Mr.. Perry was listening intently, as
were also Wilson and Skinner, and the
perspiration broke from my forehead
as went on with the gigantic lie.
1T seems he could not resist attempt
ing an investigation himself, and-and
, SO came here. was in the cellar when
he came down, but 1t was as dark as
pitch, and thought 1t was one of the
robbers and that was trapped. did
not discover the truth until too late"
"Ah. that explains it ALL" Mr.. Perry
said, when had finished. THAT was
Morley, truly. He was always that
kind of man. and would never de-
pend upon another to accomplish
things when he could do it himself"
could not help glancing furtively
at the two detectives. and received
from each nod of approval.
In one room-once the dining-room
of the old house, a bright young fell
low is working, planning, thinking, ex-
perimenting all day long, and at times
all night long too, on the problem of
voice-transmission without the aid OF
receiver or transmitter He has made
some progress, and, as he is a patient
young man of brilliant parts, l make
bold to prophesy that the world will
soon be startled by lightning stroke
of genius which will blazon the little
hamlet of Nelsonville in characters of
fire on the present generation.
My wife and are spending the sum-
mer at her residence on Sunset hill,
/ and we drive over to the old house
every day to talk and to encourage
the young genius.
A year has passed since Mr.. Morley's
death; six months after that tragic
event Florence became my wife.
The first evening of our arrival nj