Evening star., 1899-03-18

"Dead Hell Who do you mean by he,
Mr.. Fenton?'
The man in whose house we now are"
returned the other. us there any one else
who can be suspected of this crime?"
Sweetwater gave gulp that seemed to
restore him to himself.
There are two men living here both very
good men, 1 thought Which Of them do
you mean. and why do you think that
either John or James label could have
killed Agatha WebbT'
For reply Mr.. Fenton drew him toward
the room in which such a great heart
tragedy had taken place.
Look" said he, "and see what can hap
pen in a Christian land, in the midst of
Christian people living not fifty rods away.
These men are dead, Sweetwater - dead
from hunger. The loaf of bread you see
there came too late. 1t was bought with
800 bill taken from Agatha Webb's cup
board drawer"
Sweetwater to whom the whole scene
seemed like Some horrible nightmare, stared
at the figure of James lying on the floor,
and then at the figure of John seated at
the table, as If his mind had failed to take
in the constables words
''Dead"' he murmured. Dead John and
James Zabel What will happen next? Is
the town under curseg' And he fell on
James, only to start up again as he saw
the eyes Of Knapp resting on him.
'Ah," he muttered, the detective." And
after giving the from Boston a close
look he turned toward Mr. Fenton.
You said something about this good old
man having killed Agatha Webb. What
was it? 1 was too dazed to take it in."
Mr.. Fenton, not understanding the young
mans eagerness, but willing enough to en-
Tighten him as to the situation, told him
what reasons there were for ascribing the
crime in the Webb cottage to the mad
need of these starving men. Sweetwater
listened with open eyes and confused bear
ing, only controlling himself when his eyes
by chance fell upon the quiet figure of the
detective, now moving softly to and fro
through the room.
But why murder when he could have
had his loaf for the asking?" demonstrated
Sweetwater Agatha Webb would have
wandering tramp; how much moro to sup
ply the necessities Of two of her Oldest and
dearest friends"
Yes remarked Fenton. but you forget,
or perhaps never knew, that the master
passion of these men was pride. James
label ask for bread! can much sooner
! imagine him stealing it; yes, or striking a
blow for it, so that the blow forever shut
the eyes that saw him do it,
You don't believe your own words, Mr.
Fenton. How can you?" SWeetwa ter's q
hand was on the breast Of the accused man
as he spoke, and his manner was almost
solemn. You must not take 1t for granted"
he went on, his green eyes twinkiing with
curious light. that all wisdom comes
from Boston. We IN sutheriandtown have
some sparks Of 1t, If they have not yet been
recognized. YOU are satisfied-"here he
addressed himself to, Knapp-"that the
blow which killed Agatha Webb was struck
by this respectable old man?"
Knapp smiled as II a child had asked
him this question; but he answered. him
good-humoredly enough.
You see the dagger lying here with
which the deed was done, and you see the
bread that was bought from Lotion with a
$40 bill of Agatha 5Webb's money. In these
you can read my answer
Good evidenceJr acknowledged Sweet-
water. very good evidence when we re-
member Mr.. Cranes story of the old man
ne met rushing from her gateway with
something giittertng In his hand. / never
was so beat in my life, and yet-and vet
If could have few minutes of Quiet
thought all by myself1 am certain I could
show you that there isimore to this mattar
than you think. Indeed, I know that there
have conquered. sthes difficulties presented
by these men having had that $40 bin.
What fellow Is thfs?' suddenly broke
in Knapp.
"a fiddler. nobody" quietly whispered
Mr.. Fenton in his ear.
Sweetwater heard him and Changed In a
twfnkling from the uncertain, half-ba fled
wholly humble person they had just seen
make him hold his head with the best
II am musician" he admitted. land
play on the violin for money whenever the
occasion offers. something which you win
yet congratulate yourselves upon if you
wish to reach the root OF this mysterious
and dastartlly crime. But that am a no.
body I deny, and mean that this fellow
shall agree with me before this very night
Is over. Only give me an Opportunity for
considering this subject, and the permis-
house.
THAT is my prerogative," protested the
detective firmly but without any display
Of feeling. Il am the man employed to