Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1898-06-01
CHAPTER XVII

Sonntag-or wilson. rs ought TO call
him MOVEMENT first. with the lantern
Jackson had used; Mr.. Perry followed;
came next. and Skinner brought up
the rear with another lantern.
BE careful and don't strike your
heads against the dirt above, or some of
il will come down." Wilson called back
20 ms. AS the passage was not more
than three and a half or four feet in
height. IL was rnther difficult to follow
his advice.
do YOU suppose jackson did all this
work himself?" l heard Mr.. Perry ask.
"Undoubtedly," Sonntag replied.
"You see, he used TO come TO Nelson
Vile quite frequently. For the past
six 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 ~ work. Here
We are" he said. as he crawlcd out into
the room.
Mr.. Perry followed quickly, and
heard him eNclaim. In tones of horror;
"What in heavens name is that?"
Wilson placed the lantern on the floor
and bent down over the PROSTATE 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 IL bc?"
The elder detective silently motioned
20 Skinner. and together they gently
turned the body over.
The president leaned down, and then
started back. CONSERVATION, doubt,
amazement, horror. were ON his face as
he glanced from one TO the other OF ms.
sylvester Morleyi" he finally
gasped. "Impossiblel" Then he leaned
over the body again. ut looks very
much like him. very much like him."
he whispered. CHANGING down at Will
son, who gravely nodded his head.
what? You mean il is Morley-this
body Morley's? Great God in Heavenl"
We stood silently around the body for
some time. none of MS willing TO utter
"A word. But the realization of what
the fathers death. and in such n vio-
lent way, would mean To Florence had
been growing stronger and stronger in
my mind, and 1 finally broke down un-
der il. covered my face with my hands
and groaned aloud.
Soon felt touch on my arm. Glanc-
ing up. L saw Mr.. Perry standing be
side me.
at is n 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.
IL know how you must feel TO have a
horrible event like this happen on your
place. But you are cleared, at any rate.
IL viii 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
I again addressed Mr.. Perry noticed
Wilson and Skinner holding whis-
pered conversation. The younger
mans face was toward me, and MS
his eye caught mine there was so
much pity and sympathy in IL that
could not help feeling some wonder.
''ro think of IL all happening on my
grandfather's place. whose character
was as far removed from anything
criminal as heaven is high above
Garth" l finally managed TO murmur.
unwilling TO state the real cause of my
emotion.
"Is he quite dead?" Mr.. Perry asked
again, turning to Wilson. For an
swer the detective pulled back his coat
and vest and pointed 20 the shirt hos
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. i nodded my
head
why should hep What was Mr..
Morley"
Fortunately, Skinner. who had arisen
after his whispered conversation with
Wilson, and gone polSing about in the
corners and behind the empty barrels
and boxes. here uttered n shout which
caused us all TO glance in his direction.
He was Juggling at some object inside
OF barrel, and soon brought out "a
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.
and 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 endeayoring 20
open the bag. Skinner came TO where !
was standing, and, gazing down on the
dead man, said. IN soft tones; "This
will 60 hard with the young lady"
There was nothing particularly
striking "a his words, but the tone Of
his voice had so much genuine feeling
IN It that / voluntarily turned and ex-
tended my hand.
II hope you'n forgive me-" said.
you bet" he replied. grasping my
hand. you did pretty near choke the
daylight out OF me. though. What "a
grip you've gotl" he added. with
bright smile. "But then that's all
right I'm thankful YOU didn't shoot.
was going 20 tell you who I was. as
there WINS no use for further conceal
ment from you, but you didn't give me
any chance"
Why was the whole affair kept from
me 50 carefully % I asked.
The question, for some reason. en-
barrassed Mr. skinner