Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-03-01
su.u Observation-Disclosures
What Kotelmann Saw

II OTELMANN is a man with whom
n have no sympathy. He is, I'M
1oubtedly, a very clever fellow, but
the uncanny expression of his face
when he looks up is to me positively
repulsive.
For all that he is excellent com
pany. l have spent many hours, many
an evening, in his society, and must,
IN fairness, own that l have never
found him wearisome or dull.
Not long ago l took a walk with
him. AS we sauntered through the
stubble fields we discoursed OF this
and of that, and at last we got upon
the topic of the latest murders which
had been reported in the press.
Kotelmann, as we talked about
these things, had the look that al
ways makes my hair sknd on end.
We were discussing the question OF
circumstantial evidence and its value.
"In ninety-nine cases out of hun
dred." l remarked, "there Is nothing
else to be done but to convict the
criminal upon circumstantial evidence
No man in his senses would .perpe-
trate a murder in the presence OF an
eyewitness"
"Probably not" returned Kotel-
mann, slowly. That kind OF thing
is usually done in private. 1t may SO
chance, however, that an eyewitness
is present of whom the murderer has
no cognizance."
After making this remark he walked
by my side for awhile In silence, ap-
parently deep in thought. Then he
began again, In his characteristic
fashion:
Zone may travel all round the world
and yet never witness q murder. l.
however, have seen one"
"What-you-you have seen one''
exclaimed, almost. terrified. "Ex'
plain yourself, mani Was the muir
derer caught? Was he punishedT
at was no he it was 'she,' saic
Kotelmann, with laugh. "And al
she was not caught it stands to rea
son she was not punished"
"Yet you" l began.
My companion interrupted me.
81 had nothing to do with 1t. Ny
evidence was not called for nor re
ouired. The thing was accomplished
In the neatest, most refined mannel
possible. If you like, will tell yo'
the whole story"
] pricked up my ears.
"Four years ago l was spending m.
summer vacation at the little water
Ing place of B. This quiet, retired
nest suited me well. and / stayed Their
for some time.
"In the house where l found lodg
Ing there were already q number
other visitors-a fact which, to SO
cable individual like myself, was Il
no wise distasteful.
Among others | made slight &c
uuaintance with a family consisting
Of an old gentleman, his young VIII
,, and his daughter by aformer mar
rage. The girl. slim, delicate Great
ure, apparently about 20 years OF age
.. was blind. She could not be terme
pretty, but her personality was indie
scribably attractive, gentle, and
may say. pathetic. The wife was
beauty. She had splendid figure an
a pair of gray eyes not easily to b
forgotten. should judge her age I
have been about 20. These peopl
seemed TO be in very easy 'circun
stances and kept themselves as muc
as possible apart from the other VII
n itors.
/. az can boast, as you are aware
4 some small gifts Of observation. A
d though my acquaintance with tn
r family was, as have already state
y but slight one, yet took some int
n est In studying the different member
a which composed 1t. For, wherever
II 90, l make 1t q rule to study all u
Ie new characters / meet. 1t was N
r long before discovered three thinl
- concerning this trio. Firstly, that u
s, old man was passionately in love Wi
W his wife, but had for his daught'
~ neither eyes, ears nor heart; secondl
10 that the daughter had an almo
)" idolati GUS reverence for her fathe
T. but a secret dislike for her stepmot
y, er; thirdly, that the wife had dow
w right hatred for the other two.
10 None Of the other inmates OF o.
al villa, however, had any suspicion
>" this state of affairs; to the superfici
n observer these three persons appear
'g to be living together in perfect ha
ne mony.
IN Zone morning The old gentleman d
IT. not appear, and in answer to inquirll
n his wife said that he was i'll. In I
lH course Of the day a physician W
".