Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-07-05

1.-THE chief consptrator I belteue to be sit,
ting IN this rOOm."
tell which cne said it. Now, that does
not seem reasonable. He was perfectly
familiar with the voices of both, and if
one of them was talking in loud tones,
as he states, he ought to have been able
to recognize the voice; would have
been able to, I believe. I doubt If he
ever heard any such evidences Of a
quarrel in Damon's room, but if he did
it was bit of play acting, depend upon
it-a bit Of play acting!
The students exchanged glances, and
Rice shifted little uneasily in his
chair, and the quaint smile on his face
almost faded away.
81 believe Mutt to be wholly innocent
of the murder, and expect to see him
liberated tomorrow.
"No; the disappearance of Damon Is
the result of conspiracy, 1 believe. .
Professor Gilman spoke the words with
impressive deliberation.
81 believe it was the result Of con-
spiracy between several Of his fellow
students-young men whom he had ev-
cry reason to believe were his best
friends. AS he uttered the words Pro-
fessor Gilman looked straight at Ben
Rice That powerful framed young
man returned his look quite uncon-
cernedly. The quaint smile was back
upon his lips again.
"The chief conspirator 1 believe to be
sitting in this room, the professor add
ed. His words brought CONSERVATION to
all his listeners except Rice and the
students. The expression on the face of
each of them was study.
Simon Hopper made movement to-
ward the door to guard against the
escape of any person. Professor Gilman
motioned him back to his chair. "Have
no fear. No one will attempt to
escape" " he said quietly.
81 have discovered the name of the
mysterious caller at Damon's boarding
place Wednesday night, he continued.
81 interviewed the servant girl who
answered the mans ring that night.
Her manner struck me as that OF one
who might know more than she had
told and who feared questioning. The
only description that she had given OF
the man was in regard to his height.
He was tall. Why she told that much
l am unable to say. That of itself could
have furnished small clew to the idcn-
tity of the caller There are many tall
men, But one particular tall man
had in mind as the possible caller. Why
I had him in mind will appear later.
"Going upon the assumption that
this man was the caller, questioned
the servant and surprised her into the
statement that she had recognized the
caller, but for reasons that had seemed
to her sufficient had chosen not to tell
the police. That man was the one whom
have designated as the chief conspir-
ator. He is sitting with US in this room,
and you have, of course, guessed whom
I mean. 1t is Mr.. Rice.
eyes, professor. l was the caller
there that night" confessed Ben Rice.
Your narrative is very interesting.
am waiting to learn how you propose
to connect me with the murder. AS q
precautionary measure, it might be
well for Mr.. Hopper to handcuff me If
he happens to have pair of bracelets
with him.
"It is quite unnecessary, replied
Professor Gilman coolly. because you
happened to call for Mr.. Damon and
because he left the house with you does
not necessarily prove that you had a
hand in killing him. Indeed l will say
right here. lest some present may be
harboring unjust suspicious, that Mr.
Rice is entirely guiltless of the murder
of his friend. .
Josephine Maxwell and her mother
looked greatly relieved at this. Rice
and the students looked puzzled. The
professor INDUCED in his wintry smile.
81 have called Mr.. Rice the chief
conspirator. 1 believe the appellation
to be apt. Mr.. Sexton here is another
of the conspirators. Mutt and one OF
two others were also engaged In the
conspiracy. Yet none of them is re.
sponsible for the crime There was still
another conspirator whose name 1 have
not told. and he was the one who made
away with Damon. That man was Da'
mon himself -
There was an impressive silence, dur
ing which the sound of q cough in the
next room was distinctly audible.
"Do you mean." asked Josephine
Maxwell, perplexed and with a grave
look on her face, THAT Luther Damon
committed suicide2"