Western news-Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1898-1900, 1899-11-03
CHAPTER XyI.AContinued.)

IL was the morning Oh tue tHellln hHCt
Sellars boarded a train for Memphis, anC
when he left New Orleans behind he fell
that Stephen Craven, as Stephen Craven
had never disgraced the city with ms
presence.
Twenty-four hours was devoted to Mem
phis. Then Savannah was visited. Mex
Charleston. Then up the line and a hal
at Columbia.
Nothing of G. A. Stephens, nothing OF
Stephen Craven, could he learn.
On the morning of the nineteenth the de,
tective again entered the postofice ! n WI
mington.
"Not a line, Sellars! Not a thing Out
of the ordinary rum said the postmaster,
"and court has convened"
Sellars stopped to hear no more, but pald
q hasty visit to his home, another to the
Office of Attorney Dobbs, and was OH FOR
Washington, where he was delayed two
days. From Washington to Richmond
All in vain. No clue to G. A. stephens,
none to Stephen Craven.
Home again at eight o'clock on the night
Of the twenty-third, and straight to the
office Of Attorney Dobbs, where he found
the old attorney, his son and Directors
C%hadbourn and Hammond in consulta-
ton.
Hope lighted up their eyes as Sellars
entered their presence, but it was soon
dispelled by the detectives words:
81 have nothing encouraging to impart,
gentlemen. You must obtain a continu-
ance of the case against Robert Camp
bell to the December term. If he comes
70 fr;o1 nou, on innnoonf man NAV no S1p-
rificed."
"Heavens!!' exclaimed Attorney Dobbs,
s~pringing to his feet. "You are too late,
Sellars. The case was called at noon yes
terday. Robert Campbell is already on
trial for my old friends murder. The jury
has been chosen that will decide his fate.
The prisoner has already been confronted
by the charge Of murder, and the evidence
of Herman Craven and the dead mans
daughter has been taken. In the eyes Of
the public a guilty wretch occupies the
prisoners box"
Guilty or innocent, it is q foregone con-
clusion that he will be condemned to
DEATH" said Director Chadbourn.
''In that event." said Sellars, you, Mr..
Dobbs, must urge that the sentence of the
court be deferred for sixty days at least.
Should Judge Fowler not listen to you l
will obtain a stay OF sentence from Gov.
Hogg. How does the prisoner bear him
self"
"Vhy, as an innocent man." answered
Attorney Dobbs, and as one who has
faith that he will be indicated, but the
testimony against him is overwhelming.
When Herman Craven described the scene
that he beheld when he entered the library
door with his cousin after being aroused
from sleep by the dead mans cries Of
help, horror was pictured IN the counte-
nance of every juror i'll the box. All could
but note with what reluctance Miss De-
Rosette took the stand, but her evidence
only fastened the coils the tighter around
the form of the prisoner"
"And Herman Craven?'
"The coolest man in the court room, Sell
lars. He sat throughout the time court
was in session by the side of District At
torney Robbins, and apparently from time
to time was coaching him and ~shuddering
with horror when his eyes rested on the
prisoner at the bar"
"He has undertaken no unadvised steps
as yet, as president of the bank?"
Atc, odS
'sbut he wears his laurels with a kingly
supremacy. His every act and movement
is watched closely. AS administrator Of
his uncle's estate he has already advertis-
ed the late bankers holdings in Whining
and Weldon Railroad bonds for sale.
An ill-advised step, and one Mr.. DeRo-
sette would never have taken. Why, the
stock last year paid fifteen per cent"
But the sale cannot be effected at
once?"
Eat the expiration OF thirty days, Mr..
Sellars."
We'll, many things transpire in thirty
days"
1--WE can only wait and hope" said Ar
thur Dobbs.
'Wai and hope!w observed the detec-
tive, "but above all appear to be fully sat
isfed with the course matters are shap-
ing themselves. And now, gentlemen,
good night. l have much to do. Remem-
Der what l have asserted. The wrong
occupies the prisoners box
But the right one, Sellars? The right
exclaimed Attorney Dobbs.
Has a longer lease Of fancied security,
but my pledge shall be fulfilled. Alvin
DeRosette's murderer shall swing a life
less corpse from the gallows in your coun-
ty Jail. Good night, gentlemen"
The next moment the detective was
gone.