The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-10-25

alert to notice every tIfding circum-
stance, l saw that the paper had been
torn irregularly, and l fancied it coz
responded with the piece l had found
in the murdered mans house. 1
snatched it up and went into the
nearest doorway to compare the
fragments. What a leap my heart
gave when l discovered that they fit
ted together exactly. There was no
doubt Of it.
81 am on the right track | NUT
tered We'll Mr.. Burke, you don't
get off With chat valise so easily"
l crossed the street. entered the
hCLel, ana va, soon NJ the door Of the
room from whose windows the paper
was blown. l knocked softly.
Come in"said a voice within.
l entered, and found Burke still
seated on chair by the window.
Il thought it was the porter he
said in some confusion. Who said
you might find me here"'
without replying 1 locked the door
and put the key in my pocket.
Il see that you are getting ready to
go awayr' l remarked.
Yes; but-but-"
Suppose you stay in New York
little longer?'
What do you mean?' be exclaimed,
rising from his chair.
oh, nothing of any great conse-
quence." l replied coolly. Perhaps
you wouldn't object to my taking a
look into that valise."
Perhaps you will do me the kind
ness to get out of my ROOM he re-
torted. Are you drunk or crazy?
Hand me that key and go. or l will
throw you out Of the window
Not so fast" said l, drawing my
revolver. Il am an officer, you know,
and l am here to arrest you for the
murder you committed last night
He stared moment, then a change
came over his countenance.
Great Heavens. Mr.. McAuley,
what do you mean"
JldNt YOU ever SCtH llllo w ~
paper?' l asked.
As | extended it toward him | saw
that it was a weekly paper, pub
lished in the city of Pennsylvania
from whence Burke came: its date
was so recent that he must have re-
ceived it on the very day preceding
the murder.
With a look of despair on his white
face that l shall never forget, he stag
gered to a chair. He was thoroughly
cowed, and made no attempt to es-
cape. You see the poor wretch was
new at the business.
In FIVE minutes l marched him into
the station. where he made full con
fession, giving substantially the fol
lowing account of the crime.
The stories of Bentleys wealth had
tempted him to rob him. He forced
his way into the house little after
dark, one night when he knew that
Bentley had gone out, but had barely
entered when the old man came in at
the front door locked it, and lighted
the candle on the table.
Determined not to be foiled now,
Burke rushed upon him and struck
him down with the tools he had been
using to break the locks. This was
between and 10 o'clock. Then he
ransacked the house, finding a number
of banknotes In order to make a
compact parcel of them, he hastily
tore in two paper Which he CHANGED
to have in his pocket, using one half
for his purpose and, in his nervous
haste, leaving the other lying upon
the floor. Then he returned to his
room, from which he called my at
tention to Bentley's house foolishly
thinking that by so doing he would not
come within the range of suspicion.
In due time he was tried, found
guilty, and paid the penalty of his
crime.
1t was this case. which l worked up
on my own account, and in which my
success was largely due to mere
chance. that gave me a place on the
detective force. Many man has
worked harder and displayed far
more sagacity than l did on that occa-
sion. without accomplishing his end.
But do better things now, and like
my work as well as some persons like
to solve a puzzle.-Waverley Maya
zine.