The Holly chieftain., 1898-09-16
CHAPTER XVII.

Sonntag-or Wilson, as ought 10 caii
him now-went first, with the lantern
Jackson had used; Mr.. Perry followed;
I came next. and Skinner brought up
the rear with another lantern.
BE careful and don't strike your
bonds against the dirt above. or some OF
n will come down." Wilson called back
to us. AS the passage was not more
tban three and half or four feet in
beiobt. it was rather difficult to follow
his advice.
"Do YOU suppose Jackson did all this
work himself?" 1 heard Mr.. Perry ask.
.Updoubtedly," Sonntag replied,
"you see, he used to come to Nelson
Vile quite frequently. For the past
civ weeks he had not been seen about
here. But then that is no sign that
he was not here. Probably during
those six weeks he was at work. Here
we are" he said, as he crawled out into
the room.
Mr.. Perry followed quickly, and l
heard him exclaim, in tones of horror:
..Wbat in heavens name is thnt?"
Wilson placed the lantern on the floor
and bent down over the prostrate body
of Mr.. Morley.
"Why, were there two? Is he dead,
too?" Mr.. Perry went on. This is
terrible!-a most horrible affair! Who
can it be?"
The elder detective silently motioned
to Skinner, and together they gently
turned the body over.
The president leane. down, and then
started back CONSERVATION, doubt,
amazement, horror. were on his face as
he glanced from one to the other of us.
sylvester Morley!" he finally
gasped. .Impossible!" Then he leaned
over the body again. ut looks very
much like him, very much like him."
he whispered, glancing down at Will
son, who gravely nodded his head.
what? You mean it is Morley-this
body Morley's? Great God in Heaven!"
We stood silently around the body for
come time, none of us willing to utter
a word But the realization of what
the fathers death, and in such vio-
lent way, would mean to Florence had
been growing stronger and stronger in
my mind, and 1 finally broke down un-
der it, covered my face with my hands
and groaned aloud.
Soon felt touch on my arm. Glanc-
ing up, / saw Mr.. Perry standing be-
side me.
at is most terrible affair, Nelson;
but never mind. my boy" he said, soft
ly, in an attempt at comfort. His next
words told me, however. that he did
not know the real cause for my grief.
II know how you must feel to have a
horrible event like this happen on your
place. But you are cleared, at any rate.
1t will soon be known that You are in
nocent of the crime the suspicion of
which you have borne so long and SO
patiently"
made an effort at control. and when
again addressed Mr.. Perry noticed
Wilson and Skinner holding whis-
pered conversation. The younger
mans face was toward me-, and ~
his eye caught mine there was 80
much pity and sympathy in It that I
could not help feeling some wonder.
ITO think of It all happening on my
grandfather's place, whose character
was as far removed from anything
sztz1t1l . heaven il high above
Anally managed to murmur,
unwinln ~ state the real cause Of my
emotion. ~
rs he quite deadf' Mr.. Perry asked
again, turning to Wilson. For an
swer the detective pulled back his coat
and vest and pointed to the shirt bos-
ON, which was dyed with the life
stream.
you see." he answered. quietly.
quite dead. Shot through the heart"
did jackson do it?" the president
asked. turning to me. nodded my
head.
"why should he? What was Mr..
Morley"
Fortunately. Skinner, who had arisen
utter his whispered conversation with
Wilson, and gone poking about in the
corners and behind the empty barrels
and boxes. here uttered shout which
caused lis all to glance in his direction.
He was tugging at some object inside
of bnrrel, and soon brought out
large valise. which from its apparent
weight and plethoric appearance was
stuffed full.
"Ah, that looks promising!" ejacu-
lated Mr.. Perry. starting eagerly for
ward.
The valise was deposited on the floor,
md the president went down on his
knees, in great excitement. to tumble
with the catch.
Let me get at;it," said Wilson.
While the two were endeavoring to
open the bag. Skinner came to whereiI
was standing, and, gazing down on the
dead man, said, in soft tones: "This
VII go hard with the young lady
There was nothing particularly
striking in his words. but the tone of
his voice had 80 much genuine feeling
in it that voluntarily turned and ex
tended my hand.
Il hope you'll forgive me" said.
you bet." he replied. grasping my
hand. "You did pretty near choke the
daylight out of me, though. What
grip you've gct!" he added. with
bright smile. "But then that's all
right. I'm thankful you didn't shoot.
was going to tell you who WINS. as
there was no use for further conceal
ment from you. but you didn't give me
any chance"
"Why was the whole affair kept from
ne SO carefully?'' asked,
The question, for some reason. en-
barrnssed Mr. Skinner.