The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-31
The Crime Of The CenIuIY ="


'Do you mean that you will conceal
your knowledge; that ySu will protect
the criminal?"
sAIy knowledge is not absolute in
the sense that have been witness or
the recipient of a confession. 1t is
knowledge gained by analytical deduc-
ton. Under those circumstances do
rot feel bound to make charge Of
murder against q man."
Mr.. Barnes was silent, and Preacher
Jim, who had been listening attentive
~, now spoke
II would be much interested to hear
you tell the steps by which you have
reached this conclusion" said he,
"even though would not ask you to
divulge the name against your will"
Mr.. Mitchell looked at him sharply
before replying, but he did not finch.
'very well,' said Mr.. Mitchell. II
will grant your request. will tell
you how know who killed these men.
In the first place, discussed this case
with the man who committed the
crime, though did not suspect him at
that time. During our theorizing re-
peated Mr.. Barnes argument that the
murderer must have been acquainted
with the internal arrangements of the
house, because the weapon a warclub,
had been taken from case in the hall
below, This man in replying argued
that the murderer did not need to
know of the collection of weapons, be-
cause Matthew Mora had taken the
club to bed with him. That was a
fact which could not have been known
to any one except the murderer Con-
sequently knew at once that the man
with whom was speaking had him
self committed the crime. What say
you, Preacher JIM"
81 say that the man made slip of
the tongue and that you were very
shrewd. Now, tell us how you con-
meet that man with the killing of Slip
perry Sam"
"AIr. Barnes, you will recall the cir
cumstance of your finding my match
box near the body of Slippery Sam?"
"Yes. returned it to you.''
every we'll. had lent that to the
murderer of Matthew Mora, and he
had not returned it to me. What say
you to that, Preacher Jim?"
II say that you are clever in this
also. But question or two more.
Why do you hesitate to name this
man? Why do you not give him up to
justicew
Because I, have given promise to
shield him if he should ever be in the
predicament in which he now u.s."
you made a promise? To whom?"
exclaimed Preacher Jim excitedly.
sThat matters not. A promise is
binding without regard to the identity
of the person who exacted it,
ut was-a woman?'
Mr.. Mitchell did not reply.
cit was to my-my mother? Ha, ha!
You are good man, Mr.. Mitchel! You
keep faith. You would not betray.
But will tell all.''
''Stopv' cried Mr. Mitchell, but
Preacher Jim, not needing him, con-
tinued:
II am the guilty man. I killed Mat
thew Mora. killed Slippery SAM
At this Mr.. Barnes started from his
chair, but moment later he sat down
again, eXclaiming:
"You the murderer of Matthew Mora!
Man, you are madr'
Mr.. Mitchell sat still and said nothing.
An expression akin to pity and regret
fitted across his countenance.
Gentlemen" pursued Preacher Jim,
II will tell you the whole story, for
there is yet much that will surprise
you, much that even you, Mr.. Mitchell,
do not suspect. But first let me ask
you-tell me about my mother You
were with her while went in search
of doctor. What happened? How
came you to make her a promise to
shield me? She did not know. She
did not suspect. No, no! 1t was inn
possiblev'
'Your mother told me the story of
her life and of yours-that is, she told
me of your father, in whose history
much that relates to yourself finds ex-
planation-aye, palliation. Your hertz
age was bad"
"Ah! She told about the old man,
did she? But what about the promise ?"
'she feared that some day you would
discover who your father is and that
then murder might be DONE She had
horrible nightmares, in which she
dreamed that you had paid the SUI
preme penalty of the law"
"She was a prophet"
"She argued that whatever wicked
ness existed in your nature you had in
herited from your father, and she ask
ed me if ever you should commit
crime that 1 would exert my endeavors
in your behalf; that should reveal
your bad ancestry and urge that as
plea for leniency. This I promised to
do, and this will do"
1T will be Unnecessary"
"Your mother intrusted to my care a
number of letters and papers in which,
she said, l would find disclosed the
identity of your father. Poor soul!
She must have forgotten that in her
anxiety to prevent you from learning
the truth she had taken precautions
which left the documents practically