The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-26
CHAPTER XVI.

fha lantern gone, tno :" obunou III
former appearance.
Anal who had heen muon struck by Sweet
r.,s,s mysterious mapruvres. drew near
n, Talbot and whispered in his ear: I'VE
nivht have done without that:tellow from Bos-
ton"
To which the Coroner REPLIED:
"perhaps SO. and perhaps not. Swsetwater
,,s no, 70, proved his ca,e: let us wait TIL
IA .yplaIns himself" Then turning to the
.ors.ah,e. he showed him an ld-fashioned
r~,nlature. whlchhe had found lying on James's
hroa.t when he made his first examination.
I. vss.et with pearls and backed with gold
md was worth many meals. for the lack OF
Sh,ch It's devoted owner had rerished.
Agatha Webh's portrait" explained Talbot.
~o- rather. Agatha Gilchrists. for I presume
mia was painted when she and James were
lovers"
. 'she was certainly a beauty" commented
f.nton, as he bent over tho miniature in the
moonlight. Il do not wonder she queened IL
tyer the whole county"
He must have worn IL where I found It for
the last forty years" mused the doctor. And
yet men say that love is a fleeing passion.
We'll, after coming upon this proof OF devo-
ton, find It impossible to believe James
label accountable for.her death. Sweetwater's
Instinct was truer than Knapp's."
"Or ours" muttered Fenton.
Gentlemen" interposod Abel. pointing to a
bright spot that lust then made ita appearance
IN the dark outline OF the shade before alluded
10. do ~you'ses that hole? 1t wns the light OF
that prick in tho shade which sent Sweetwater
outside looking for footprints. See! Now his
eve Is 70 IT, as tho bright spot became sud-
denly eclipsedL We are under examina-
ton. slrs. and the next thing:we will hear is
that he's not 'he.only person who's been peer
Ing into this room through that hole"
He was so far right that the first words
o, sweetwster onshis re-entrance were: IT'S
ali c. K. sirs. I have found:my missing clue.
James label was not the only person who
came up here from the Webb cottage last
hight" And turn!ng.to Knapp. who was los
Ing some Of his supercilious manner. he asked,
with significant emphasis: IF. OF the full
amount stolen from Agatha Webb. you found
so In the possession OF one man and $3.50 In
the possession Of another. upon which OF the
two would you tx as the probable murderer Of
this good woman?'
Upon him who hold the-lion's share. Of
course
Very good then It is not In this cottage You
will find the person most-wanted. You must
look But there. first let me give you a
glimpse OF the money. Is there any one here
ready 10 accompany me in search OF it?
shat have 10 take him a quarter OF a mile fur
Their up hill.
You have seen tho money! You know
where 1t is?" asked DR.. Talbot and Mr.. Fenton
In one breath.
Gentlemen. I can put my hand on It in ten
minutes"
At this unexpected and somewhat startling
tatement KNAPP looked at DR.. Talbot and DR..
talbot looked at the constable. but only the
latter spoke.
That is saying a good deal. But no matter.
am willing to credit the assertion. Lead on,
sweetwater; I'll 20 with you"
n"eetwater seemed to grow an inch at least.
And DR.. Talbot" he suggested.
BUT the Coroner's duty held him to this house
OF death and he decided not to
uem' knapp and Abel. however. yielded to
me curiosity which had been aroused by those
eAraorHlnary promises. and soon these four
sareh on their small expedition up the hill.
'"eetNater headed the procession. He had
samonished silence. and his wish in this re-
ta'' was so well carried out that they looked
more IKE a group OF species moving up the
moon.liehted road than a party OF eager and
lmpa'ent men. Not till they turned into tho
nam thoroughfare did any one'speak. Then
noe. could no longer restrain himself and he
cried out:
we are going 10 Mr.. Suthsrland's."
Dur sWeetvater quickly undeceived him.
NO. said he. only into the woods opposita
bis house"
nu' al this Mr.. Fenton drew him back.
are YOU sure OF YOURSELF" he said. Have
you really seen this money and Ia It concealed
In this f~oreat;r
l have seen tho money" sweetwater sol.
woods" " '"'''
ntfenton dropped his arm. and they moved
y II their way was blocked by the huge
"unE OF a fallen tree.
~ mere we are to look" cried SWeetwa-
pau'lnG and motioninG Knapp to turn his
ST.. e'n on the spot where the shadows lay
'rn,os' Now. what do you seeI" he asked,
Mr. Fenton. ~
And under thsm?"
e. "a nole' or. rather. the entrance to one"
Rout, M. Fenton" va
assurance with which Sweetwater spoke
T '"rh mat Mr.. Fenton at once stooped and
sn.uSeu MS handInto the hrle. But when,
~ d hurried search. he drew it out again.
V"as nothing in II, his hand was empty.
"rre'"ater stared at that hand amazed.
poht you find anything" he aske cd. Isn't
~ste a roll Of bills in that hoIe?"
NO, was the gloomy answer. after a re.
ST. a''emrt and second disappointment.
h'te Is nothing TO be found here. You are
water ""ce'-
hu' can't he. saw the money: saw # In
~ na%d q the Ierson who hid it there. Let
M OoA ior It, constable. I will not give IN
furry" '''"eu " p'"ce 'opsy"
tb,n'"hG down in Mr., Fenton's place he
n, MS hand into the hole. On either side
r um n"ored the faces Of Mr.. Fenton and
i,a%pp' Abel had slipped away at Il whisper
Ia ~ '"eetwaterl They were lit with n sim
,n ,Spression of anxious interest and grow
ou.a't. His own countenance was a study
ill.,. NNc'hg and by no means cheerful emo
or,a, suddenly his ASPECT hanged With a
m twist of his 1.-the. il awkward. body. he
h.o, himself lerGthwise on the ground. and
han tearing AZ the earth inside the hole Tx.
.Igltowing animal
M hSlnuot be mistaken. Nothing will mako
"'"eltis not here. 1t has simply been