Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-03-21

Young man. 81 remem bered my aunt >!
peculiar tendency and was sure she
would take her life. in spite of all WE
could do, if she discovered the manner
of my fathers death and his insane
message to her. [ noticed that my fee
were making impressions in the Sane
and just then saw the swing. I did, OF
course, thoughtless thing when toss
ed into the grass the revolver my IA
ther had used, but it really did not &C.
cur to me at the moment q was fright
fully agitated) that it would throw sus-
picion on any one in our house. I did
not think CT that till was safe in my
room, having reached it in the exact
manner you described. That's my story.
I did not want to tell it, but it seems to
me that had to do it or go to prison. y
Hendricks face held an expression of
vast incredulity. For moment he sat
silently looking at the floor.
81 thought you were going to confess
something really discriminating. in a
lesser degree than murder, however, "
he said. 81 presume it did not occur to
you that in covering up what you
claim was suicide you were fraudu-
lently making certain life insurance
companies liable to you and your sister
for over 500, 900, which, owing to GER
tain clauses i'll the policies, would not
be cOllectible except i'll case of death in
an ordinary manner.
81 never dreamed of such thing!"
gasped Ralph. "I knew nothing of the
policies or the clauses.
81 only mentioned it, of course, -
said Hendricks, "but it would have
been better for your case if you had put
it that way. You see, a jury would re-
gard it as more plausible than-well,
than the reasons you have stated. Such
a motive, just that sort of considera-
ton for your aunt is too fine, too
psychic, for the mind Of the ordinary
juryman."
Ralph's startled eyes were fixed ON
the face of the detective.
"Do you mean to say, Hendricks,
that you Go not now believe that my ia
ther killed himself?'
81 do not said Hendricks.
Lampkin stared at his friend He
was unable to understand the detective.
''My Godr' exclaimed Ralph. ''Then
I presume I shall have to go to Jail and
stand trial to prove my innocence?''
Hendricks looked at his watch, then
called out:
"Kola."
eyes, SIR
els the cab at the door?''
est is, sir. ;"
Ralph rose, leaned OF the table and
bent forward.
"Look here, Hendricks. - he said des-
perately, ''you are no fool. You are
judge of men and of mems hearts. I
don't believe you can look me in the
face and say you think killed my ia
Their "
81 have not said SO YETI said Hen
bricks; "but, judging from past expert
ences in such matters, I must say that
if the facts as they now stand go be-
fore jury you will get quick verdict
of guilty
"You really think so?''
"I'd stake my reputation on it. -
"What am I to do?"
"The simplest thing in the world. +"
Ks the detective spoke he caught Lamp
kin's wondering eye and held it for
IOuOOO tAO AOCC w C1dAAA
to have found pinned to your fathers
lapel
81 burned it the day you were in my
room. washed the remains away in
the running water of my basin.
Hendricks stood up, looked again at
his watch and went to the door leading
into the passage.
IF that is true, young man, and you
can't produce the murderer, you have
signed your own death warrant Every
circumstance points to your guilt. I
never saw a more perfect chain of con-
victing circum stances The note, how
ever, would have saved you. It is pity
you destroyed it.
Ralph hung his head for minute,
then raised it and smiled doggedly.
81 presume innocent men have been
condemned before. l really fear have
got myself into an awful pickle. was
a fool, but meant WELL am ready to
go with you"
Hendricks took key from his pocket,
inserted it into the lock of the handouts
and drew them from the young mans
wrists.
Gas I remarked just now,' he said,
ST know that your father did not COM
NIT suicide, but did not say you kill
ed him.
"Y-you don't accuse me?" stammered
Ralph in establishment.
No; I have no charge to make
ag inst you except that you have been
constantly hindering my Investigations
by concealing some of the facts. In or
der to proceed further in the case I
was obliged to wiring your secret from
you. Some one shot your father, and
you have almost defeated justice by the
stupid role you were playing. If my
method was severe, you deserved it.
You have caused me to lose good deal
of time