The Holly chieftain., 1898-09-16

there? How did he succeed Then h
paused, and, holding the lantern higher
gazed thoughrully in my face. Dead
too? You don't mean to tell met"
1 nodded my head.
Lord Almghty!- Sonntag ex
claimed, and then turned slowly from
me and Joined the two at the door.
Mr.. Conway, come here" Mr.. Perry
called to me. See" he said. when
came up, here is the voice"
On one side OF the door was a wooden
box. in which was phonograph.
You observe this wire" began Skin
ner. TT is attached to the instrument
and runs down seemingly in the
ground. Now Ill go and step on the
plank and see If the wire is not moved
and the Photograph set a-going." He
did SO, and a clock-work arrangement
was set in motion which communicated
with the instrument.
LET us see what pulls the wire, " said
Mr.. Perry. ~
We went over to the plank, and saw
that Skinner had raised it so we could
look underneath. There was a steel
spring under one end, which was COM
pressed when a weight was put upon
the plank. The compression operated a
lever which pulled the wire attached to
it. The wire ran through an iron pipe
under the stones toward the phono-
graph, tie other end being fastened TO
the clock apparatus as wehad already
seen.
An Arrangement like that which oper-
ates the photograph was also used for
the revolver, which was fixed above ii,
the muzale pointing to the small hole
in the mortar between two stones. The
spring, however, which caused the ex-
plosion of the pistol, was fastened on
the inner side of the door, and so ar
ranged that ether pressure on the
door or an adverse force compressed it.
My leaning the weight of my hand
against the door when had stopped
down to peer ino the hole had operated
the spring, as hsd Jackson's body when
he backed from me.
Clever rascal that Jackson, and
patient one" remarked Sonntag.
Then you know he robbed the
bank?' l asked
'Oh, yes, we knew it, and have known
it for some time" Sountag said, dryly.
Then why was he not arrested?" 1
continued.
We'll, we waned to recover the prop
erty also. He had it hidden around
his hunting-lodte somewhere. we were
quite sure. but le was too cunning for
us, and we coud not discover where
it was. Then ,esterday you told me |
of the walled-ul cellar, and | knew l |
had him."
From what you tell me now, and |
wl.at l have heretofore thought of your
peculiar ways, ] suppose 1 am right in
surmising that you are detective" 1
said.
"Yes, am detective he quietly re-
sponded.
"And your name is not Sonntag?"
mo. Wilson is my name. 1t was
simply a stroke of chance that made
me your lawyer and agent for short
time. 1t was necessary to be present
here, and the death of your former
agent came most opportunely."
so then jackson never suspected
you?"
No. At least believe not"
And how did you come to suspect
Jackson?" asked, curiously.
by looking up his record"
why, was he regular criminal?"
No. Not until he robbed the bank
lie used to be in the employ of a large
'afe manufhctory as an expert on locks.
When we Rund that out W were GER
sim ln-''as the man in the bank who
Gould open - Jock, when the time
piece was on, without AaMi~.g -stA-
Did the detectives know ofMr. Nor
ey's connection with the affair? If
not, could easily keep secret what 1
knew.
"And you think Jackson. was alone
n the AFFAIR."" asked. with view to
how much Sonntag. or
Wilson, knew.
He cast upon me one of his whimsical
ooks, and after pause replied: "At
irst it seemed quite certain there was
'ome one sonnected with Jackson in the
,ffair. But nowNI find there was not"
Here SkinneFswho had been listening
% our conversation, glanced quickly up
1t Wilson, and saw some signal
dashed between the two.
"And what may your name be? Are
'ou a detective. too?"'I asked of Skin
Ter.
Yes" he. replied.. simply. II am n
detective and 'Skinner-is my name"
why did you try to shoot me?"
II didn't. Il fred in the air. Still. |
did want You to think / did. II was
or two purposes: One, to. frighten you
lway until this. affair was settled; an
'ther. to make. yo,i really down on me.
You see.. jackson at last seemed to
Inspect mes andI thought if'I, could
how him, youi were terribly down. on
ne it would puh me oil the closer in |
his confidence,'-
"Oh,. you. s,ieeeeded in making him
believe. you were his friend?" 1 re-
''Wor3sed the pal racket on
lin, eh?"'
''As much as could"
Then, YOU really were not treeeher-
'us to- yoar contract with Misa Nor
ey?"'
Good God. no. Who could play false
o herr" Skinner exclaimed, in such
tones that 1 was satisfied.
Here Mr.. Perry broke in. "Your
lame with come out respfendent. Ncl-