Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-04-19

then volunteered to loot the ground
over.
This was courtesy ON his part which
the sheriff could not refuse. and after
supper he was taken to the house.
did not see much Of his work, but It
was talked about for long months after
ward. The murderer had got In by
parlor window, which was six feet from
the ground. He had used chisel to
force up the sash. He had lighted three
or four matches in making his way into
the sitting room. He had gone ont by the
same window, Crossed a newly made
garden and climbed . fence. He had
used regular dagger instead Of knife
In his work. He had secured the box be-
fore the old man was aroused and had
also taken small sum Of money from
the trousers hanging on the chair.
The tracks in the garden were still
fresh when the detective took hold OF
the work, and in three minutes he had
made MP his mind to something He bad
little to say to any Of the men, explain
ing that he had not yet completed his
investigations, but as he left the house
to return to the inn. while followed ut
. respectful distance. he turned down q
quiet lane, beckoned me 10 follow. and
when we were alone he lighted his pipe
and asked:
boy. do you know any man in town
who is lame in the left leg!
/ did not. Then he asked IL any stran.
ger who was lame had been seen in
town during the last two or three days.
/ answered in the negative, but added
that there was o man with wooden
leg at the inn. He ut once began to
question me about this man, not yet
having seen him himself. aud ! told
him all knew and all had heard. OF
course he told me nothing in return,
though heard him chuckliDg to him
self. and his face betrayed the fact that
he was pleased about something. | acted
a. his guide to the jail and when IN the
presence Of the sheriff he said:
IL want you to go with me to over.
haul the man with the wooden leg a.
the tavern. "
But he can have done it, protest
| ed the officer. 1.-The tracks you found
showed that the murderer had two feet y
Just SO, and he was lame in the left
leg"
"But this man Gordnn has lost hi,
left leg at the knee. ="
II want to see IL he has.
The sheriff, detective and constable,
with two or three citizens, proceeded &c
the inn and To Gordan's room He sat
smoking and reading and had his supper
brought up to MIN that night, claiming
to be suffering with neuralgia. He wa
cool and quiet and offered cigars all
around, but those who were watching
him saw him grow pale as the sheriff
began by begging his pardon and hoped
no offense would be- taken. but would
he let them look at his wooden leg'
Gordan faltered and bluffed and was
reaching for pistol under his pillow
when the detective seized him. He
fought like u demon and il took the five
| or six men to overcome him. When
they had him securely bound, they un
strapped his wooden leg. aud, 10, hi'
left foot was there as right as any
mans His leg was supple one, and
he had bent the lower portion back anc
strapped IL thus and then put his kne'
in the crotch OF the wooden leg. % al
those who had taken look at his lee
not one had suspected the cheat.
| Yes, he was the man who bad robbed
the merchant and the postmaster, anc
he was also the murderer Of SPUR,
Higgins The plumber and the dagger
were found in his trunk. which be hat
ready packed, as he was intending I,
leave town next day. He simply laic
his wooden leg aside when he went ou
Mt night The wearing Of il gave him 4
sort Of halt when IL was removed, ant
as he crossed the garden after the muir
der the left foot pressed the GROUND
more lightly than the right. On the evi
dence worked up by the detective III
couple Of hours time Gordan was tried
convicted and hung. and every dollar %
the stolen money went back To the right
full owners.