The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-02-15

events, as George S arrest WOuld 1neFlIa-
bly, have followed. He is bearing up as
well as we could expect, but, Of course,
he feels his position acutely, and at the
present moment things look very black
against hin. hope that if you can help
US as all in the defense you will do so. .
"!!f can be Of the slightest use, you
may be certain Of my services" +" he re-
piled. "But I am afraid I don't see III
what way l shall be able to assist you. :"
well, l will tell you, Mr.. Gates.
You see we are firmly convinced Of
Georges innocence, but perhaps l ought
first to tell you I am engaged to bis sis
ter. which will account for the interest
am taking in the case.
81 believe / heard that, % Gates re-
piled.
every we'll. We are, as Twas saying,
firmly convinced of our friends inno-
cence, although the facts look very
black. A few days ago / should have
said the defense was hopeless, but since
the Identification of the murdered wom-
an as the Duke Of Lundy's daughter
of which, of course, you have heard
think there is glimmer Of daylight for
us.
"Well. Captain Brett, am listen
irg," said Gates, as made pause.
"Iwill be absolutely frank with you,
Mr.. Gates" I continued, 'for I think
you may be able to help US, since you
have travelled great deal and have con-
sequently rubbed up against innumer-
able people in all quarters of the globe.
We are at present trying to trace Lady
Florence Mostyn's life from the day she
left her fathers house, and it has been
suggested that one individual in particu-
lar might shed light On her mysterious
disappearance, if we could only find
him. q
''And who may he be?'
GA certain Arthur Durant. Do you
happen to know him, sir?''
Mr.. Keighley Gates deftly elected
half dozen rings of cigarette smoke
and then looked at me with curious
smile on his lips.
"Wel!, yes, do," heereplied. cat
one time I knew him intimately, but l
have not seen him for the last two or
three years. Still get an occasional
letter from him.
was overjoyed at this news. What
lucky inspiration it was that had
prompted me to look up Mr. Gatesl
"Have you had q letter recently:" l
inquired.
sThe last one would be about-let
me see''-and Mr.. Gates pondered for
moment or two. eyes, about four
months ago, as near as my memory
serves me-
.sAnd where was he then?''
"He wrote from Denver, and said be
was just moving on to Salt Lake City
and from there he intended going Z:
Frisco
"Then at this moment San Francisco
might be a likely spot to make inquiries
in?''
Gates laughed.
cit certainly might be, but if you
knew Arthur Dnrant you would know
the utter impossibility of following his
movements by any known or unknown
method. AS he mentioned Frisco, l
should think New York or Florida a
likely spot to find him in. %
This news considerably depressed me.
So much seemed to depend upon this
man, and yet from Gates account it
was apparently hopeless to expect that
he could be found liz time.
"What would you advise US to do,
Mr.. Gates2"
Make inquiries by all means in Salt
Lake City aud Frisco, but don't build
any hopes in that direction. 1 ought to
have letter from him soon, and that
will put Us on his track at once. think
l have his last epistle by me still. If so,
the address will be useful. I'll look for
it now"
Gates unlocked drawer and looked
through some letters fled with extreme
care.
"I'm afraid I destroyed it, he said,
at length. 81 now remember what L
kept it for, and as soon as the purpose
was fulfilled I burned it. never keep
OLD letters; it would not fit in with my