The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-01-04

ne. 1t was to observe ana STUDY une lea
lures of this man that followed him. ]
boon after forgot what led me to do So
I can remember no moreno more"
"Why did you desire to follow this man
10 observe and study his features" ask
Cd the banker.
II was requested to do so by one I can
tot now name. failed, utterly failed
il my mission. But will not believe that
am guilty Of that terrible crime. J
!, never before beheld that dirk. No, no,
am not guiltyW
THAT you are not, my boy" exclaimed
husky voice, and the tall form Of Sci
ars, who, unobserved, had descended the
stairs and entered the cell.
'Thank Godv' cried Robert.
at was at my request that this young
man was following and studying the fea'
lures Of would-be assassin" said the
5etective;' though I little dreamed that
his doing so would lead to what I was
striving to avert The object Of the fend
who drove that dirk blade home was moi
pnly to murder Terry, but also to place
the halter about the neck Of Robert Kel'
iogg. His intent was to remove one AND
let the law remove the other"
pray" said the inspector, "who may
you be?' ........-.... ..
"At home," was the quiet reply, II am
known as Lang Sellars. BY profession J
am detective" ....
'Whatp' exclaimed Hunt. "Lang Sci.
mrs, the Southern detective? Allow me
to grasp your hand, sir!' ...., -
tWith pleasure, inspector"
''You visit our city in pursuit Of your
calling, Mr.. Sellars? Surely not to re-
move the mystery surrounding this case,
You could not have heard Of it."
81 noticed record Of the crime IL
morning Journal" the detective said. y
viii call and talk matters over with you
before, leave the city. I am here ON
matter in which may need aid. But
must make haste now"
...Glad to aid you at any time, Mr.. Sci.
lars will place half my men at your
disposal" IS . . .'.
''Oh, thanks, many thanks. may moi
need them. Certainly not more than one
or two. VIII you please allow me to see
the dirk with which the assault Of Terry
was committed"
Certainly. I have it here" And the
, Inspector produced it. .
"Ah, hap observed Sellars. "A silver
cross embedded in the hilt. Let me see?'
And he withdrew dark sheath from an
Inner pocket. Eyes, seew And he thrust
the blade of the weapon where it had Ne
posed prior to certain event that was
on his mind. "a complete fit. A silver
cross ON the hilt Of the dirk. A silver
cross on the scabbard! May retain this
q few hours, inspector"
Certainly"
The surprised banker had been standing
near his son. listener and observer; but
here Robert introduced him to the detec
tive. ...
II can hardly understand, Mr.. Sellars.
yet think my brother has written me
concerning you. Do you not reside IN
Wilmington ....
'.My home is there" answered the de-
tective. "You will understand all wher
I have explained; but there is not time
now. I have matters in hand THAT cannot
be deferred. wish you and your son tc
! Haecompany me-"
4But Robert cannot be released until
4tOh, that Is oil right now" said the
a1ssT<ctof. - Thc-boy - free. I am per
fectIy satisfied that Mr.. Sellars' assump
tion of the case is correct. Though had
the blow proved fatal -" 81.
"Robert would have been released be
fore night, inspector. There is no as
sumption in this case-on my part"
The clock in the Inspectors Office struck
the hour of eleven, as Sellars, accom-
panied by the banker and his son, stepped
into the street.
'.The bank has not been opened to-day
said Mr.. Kellogg. II had Earl post
notice on the door this morning. How
ever, I have my key and we can gain I'd
mission"
II have no wish to visit the bank" said
Sellars.
"Shall we 60 over to the hotel?"
"No, Mr.. Kellogg, we must visit your
home, and at once. There is no time tt
lose"
my home! Why, I do not at all under
stand that" exclaimed the banker, flleG
with astonishmept.
-J"Nor could you be expected to, at thi,
time. All will be made plain to you soon.'
earl left the station just before yor
returned, father. He called to express
his sympathy"
Eyes, yes, presume he has gone to in
form his mother Of the situation. Pool
Elinor! She was nearly overcome wher
tod her Of the fearful calamity that haG
befallen US. We will cause her heart te
rejoice. Here is the carriage"
The three men entered it and the We
hicle rapidly rolled away.
"What time did you return, Mr.. Sci
lars?" asked Robert.
= "I arrived on the 1890 train from
visit to Richmond"
"Then you were here previous to thai
timer" said the banker.
1For few days"
Il see you carry O small package under
your arm," observed Mr., kellogg. DC
not forget and leave it in the carriage
when we enter the house. The urchins OF
the streets Of Chicago are of an uncer.
tnin quality"
81 shall hardly forget It," said Sellars
calmly. THAT package contains the con.
tents Of the one which Collector Ellsworth
of the express company was robbed ON the
twenty-seventh Of June"
"Impossib.e!' exclaimed the banker.
"Oh, no; assure you it is fact. But
please request your driver to touch up his
horses. Minutes are very valuable Just
now"
The amazed banker did as requested
and leaned back in the vehicle with eyes
ayeted on the countenance OF the great
active as the bay team sped on.
CHAPTER XXI.
Once on the north side of the river,
Thomas guided his team eastward 10