The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-10-26

| and then fell down senseless, to awake
some time later and find myself ac-
cused by you gentlemen as his muir
derer. But am innocent, swear it,"
He made this declaration SO ear
nestly as to call forth sarcastic COM
| ments from Smithson.
"Have you anything more to say?"
questioned Phillips. "Can you account
for the fact that your knife caused
Jackson's death?"
81 cannot. Until it was shown to
me as the one used, / had not seen it
for week." responded Vernon, with
emphasis.
"That will do. Now, Mr.. Desmond,
| you have heard the main facts. Cir
cumstantial evidence of the strongest
kind is brought against Vernon. His
story is simple one. Can you prove
his guilt more conclusively, or estab-
lish his innocence? You may ask any
questions you please"
''Had Vernon any motive? Had
| Jackson ever quarreled with him,
Smithson or Walters?" said Desmond,
after moments thought.
"He had quarreled both with me
and with the accused" put in Smith
son, rather sullenly.
ibid you see Jackson last night?"
said the detective, turning and look
ing at him.
"Me? Yes, but left MIN we'll and
| hearty at about ten minutes to nine,
and proceeded downstairs to my lab
oratory Jackson looked at his
watch and gave me the time"
"Walters can be left out of it,
| thought Desmond. SIT rests between
| Smithson and Vernon"
"Have you any more questions to
ask here? If not, you shall see the
| position in which we found the two
men," said Phillips.
''I have no more questions at pres
ent," was the reply.
"All right. Vernon, you and Lovely
go upstairs and get reaoy for the
| parts you have to play. You under
stand what to do. Knock when
ready"
The men addressed rose and left the
room, Vernon giving backward glance
Ithat puzzled the detective.
| s'I think they will be ready for us
shortly" said Phillips. ''This sort of
thing is rather nerve-shaking. Smith
son looks really I'LL"
"Do you mean to accuse me Of" be-
gan Smithson.
"Of poor nerves?" put in Phillips.
with warning glance at the other.
"Oh, no! You look white and troubled,
that is all"
"He wants some of his own drugs"
said Walters, with forced laugh.
| "Come, come, don't get to words.
Listen, Vernon is knocking. He is
awaiting u.s."
Phillips put down his cigar and led
the way upstairs, the others following,
"This is the room. he said to Desmond.
"Lovely is in the position in which we
supposedly found Jackson Enter,
please"
The detective did so. He could not
suppress start of surprise. There, ly-
ing upon the carpet, was Lovely, at
tired in brown check suit. His arms
were outstretcheo; his face fixed as if
in death. A small, blood-stained knife
and a heavy knobbed stick were by
his side. The affair seemed too grim
to be mere play.
| "Vernon will show us how he entered
into the room," said Phillips. This
may seem unnecessary, but it is his
bwn wish. Perhaps he wants to do
bit of realistic acting. Ready, Yer
non?"
81 ami" The man, having first turned
the gas low, proceeded to the door and
closed it behind him. After a moments
wait he opened it again, and, stepping
inside, spoke as if to himself: "Evi-
IDENTIFY Jackson's out. I'll go down
stairs and await his return. The busi-
ness"
He stopped suddenly and made as if
to turn. To the watchers it was as If
some invisible person had struck him
an unseen blow. He uttered an ex-
elamation, half of terror, as he stag
| gered toward the center of the room
with his hand pressed to his head. "My
Godl" he muttered, as he came to the
body of the pseudo jackson; then he
fell down in a dead faint, He had gone
too far with his acting. This latter was
reality.
"He's .oyerdone it," cried Phillips.
'Fetch water, Here, Lovely, get up and
help"
In very short time Vernon opened
his eyes and glanced quickly round.
The others had their attention else
where for a moment. "Bend down,
quick!" he whispered, just loud enough
for the detective to hear. "Save me,
for Gods sake! Save mel It is
.Here you arel" shouted Lovely,
running up with brandy, sPour it
down his throat. Now help him on to
the COUCH"
The whispered words of the pros
trate Vernon had brought the detec-
tive to the conclusion that there was
something behind all this; what at
present he could not Imagine. He saw
that the best thing to do would be to
proceed as if he suspected nothing. So,
with jesting remark, he proceeded:
"Where was the supposed jackson
stabbed?"
Lovely pointed out the place.
"But a stab there would not be
fatal" said Desmond.
Phillips frowned sharply at him. sHe
bled to DEATH" he said. sYou will un-
derstand that a large quantity of
blood would flow from such wound.n
.Certainly, certainly, l suppose /
can examine the clothes2"