The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-06-01
CHAPTER IN.
AN EXPERT OPINION.


Mitchell and aroused n train of thought
which made him more than ever in
tcrcsted in the complicated problem
which they were cndcavoring to solve.
He could not Immediately arrive at
any definite conclusions, but these
were the points to which he attached
the greatest Importance.
First, young Mora suggested to the
police that the murderer had worn his
plaid suit over his own blood stained
garments when leaving the house; Sec
ond, Preacher Jim had contcnded that
this could not be, because IL the watch
man was to be believed when claiming
| that he had seen the wcarcr of the
suit come out of the house he should
be credited with being equally correct
| iii his statement that he had seen it
on the man going in; third, Mora ad-
vanccd exactly the same argument and
then claimed that the suit had been
| appropriated by the murderer, who
| had stolen it from the Essex street
| house; fourth, If Mr.. Barnes was cor
rect, here was Preacher jim peeping
| from window of this very house.
What logical deduction should he ac-
| cept? Why did Mora first advance
| In his excitement, in the first place,
had he forgotten that the watchman
must be believed wholly or not at all?
And was the second theory invented to
meet the occasion?
Since Preacher Jim apparently had
access to this house, had he shown
Mora the mistake that he had made?
AS Il professional crook was he coach
ing this young man through the diff
cultics of his first crime! Or. if they
were intimate, as they must be accord
ing to that view, were they accom-
pliccs? Had Mora committed tie deed
himself, or had he secured the services
Of Preacher Jim for tho bloody deed?
Or, since Preacher Jim had suggested
sufficient motive for the murder by n
| professional crook, had he conducted
the enterprise himself in order to OBJ
| tain the will and subsequently black
mail Mora? Had he stolen the clothes
in which he might enter the Mora
mansion. dcccivipg the watchman rs
| to his identity, and had he then artful-
| ly returned them?
Mr.. Mitchell had Just formulated this
question mentally when Preacher Jim
himself emerged from the house and
| approached. This action showed that
lie was not afraid to have it known
that he had been in the house. Mr.
Mitchell admired his boldness and was
curious to hear what he would say.
"Well, gcntlemcn," said Preacher
jim, nodding TO Mr.. Barnes, who ac-
EnowledScd the salutation. and ex-
| tending his hand to Mr.. Mitchell, who
| look 1t, "it has been an entertaining
drama, has it not? Though, pardon
| me, Mr.. Barnes. l am forgetting. You
| missed part Of 1t, eh?'
missed q part OF what?" asked the
detective coldly. II do not understand
YOU"
"Oh, you are not so stupid as you
would have me believe, Nrr. Detectives!
| If you were, certain friends Of mine
| would be ut liberty instead of serving
the government l allude to the hasty
departure which you arrived too late
to witness"
''How do you know thatr" asked Mr..
Mitchell sharply.
Il have eyes in my head and brains
in my skull. l have been looking on
from the gallery, rs it were, while you,
Mr.. Mitchell, occupied private box
and Mr.. Barnes, here, standing room
only and at the very end Of the play
| too"
What do you mean by the gallery ?"
| asked Mr.. Mitchell persistently.
"Four flights up; top floor front win
dow; place empty; last tenant moved
out on account OF rats and n leaky
roof; next tenant not yet in prospect.
| so my friend. Slippery Sam, who
CT ,NIa
ance and who Is not very particular
about whece he sleeps or how, SO long
as no rent Is collected. has presempted
the place and taken up his temporary
lodging therein during the last few
days"
"How many days, to DC exact"
"Ah, l see! You wish to work up
our friends history. Well, to be eX-
act, eight days. At least. that is &C
| cordinS to his statement, and rely
| on 1t Dccausc-wcll, because I do not
think that Sam has the courage to lie
to Preacher jim"
| "And you were calling on him, L
suppose" suggested Mr.. Mitchell.
"Oh, no, not at all! have never
before been in the house, though of
course / have known where Sam was
residing ever since lie moved in. That
is according to our system, which j
think l explained to you. But since
you seem to be curious to know how
and why was I'm the place I have no
reason to conceal the facts from YOU"
81 do not deny that would like to
KNOW" said Mr.. Mitchell.
well, then, I'm connection with GER
mo II