Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-01-26

Then he and BenJaman taiKeu over
their plans for long time, and before
the money lender left plan had been
arranged whereby Stanmore, as we shall
continue to designate him, hoped to at
tain the fruition of his hope, and get
Pratt and Weeks in his power.
What Stanmore's plan was we shall
presently see.
Meanwhile, on the evening which Wit
messed the interview between Stanmore
and Abraham Benjaman, when the latter
told his friend of Pratt's proposition
about tho marked money, Paxton re-
eeived note from the Chief Of Police
requesting him to call at his office al
once.
The detective fastened to comply
with the request, and when he arrived
at the chiefs Office, he was informed by
that official that he had just received
notice that man who was dying at
charity hospital desired to make con-
fession to him relating to the Oakburn
murder.
II knew you would be deeply inter-
ested in anything promising information
on this subject, and so l sent for you.
Will you accompany me to the hospitali
am going at once" said the chief.
OF course Paxton answered affirma'
lively.
The detective and the chief repaired
TO the hospital without further delay.
Ubon their arrival there they were at
once conducted to the ward In which
lay the dying man yyke wished to make
confession.
Intensely interested and excited at
the prospect of an immediate explana-
ton of the mystery which had so long
baff1ed him, Paxton listened to the con-
fession made by the dying man, while a
clerk Of the hospital recorded 1t In writ
ing. :,
Il know Levi Kredge, who was the
janitor at the office of Jason Garrison,
where John Oakburn, the old cashier,
was murdered, began the man.
Paxton started as he heard him mem
ton the name of the janitor at the very
outset.
"On the night Of the murder, con-.
tinued the man who was making the
confession, at about o'clock, saw
Levi Kredge get out OF tho side window
of Garrison's office. | had lodged into
the passage between the two buildings
to escape The observation Of party
whom l wished to avoid, when / saw
Levi. l accosted Levi when he came
out of the passage upon the street.
told him had seer him get out of the
Office, and he was terribly alarmed"
The dying man paused, and after a
few moments he continued
"Kredge begged me not to tell of his
being in the office, and he offered me a
thousand dollars If / would swear to
keep his secret. / agreed, for / am a
roor man, and thousand dollars
seemed like a large sum to me. Until
now have kept my promise OF secrecy,
but 1 could not make up my mind to die
without telling all this for feared that
Young Harand might yet be convicted
of the crime. It is my conviction that
Levi Kredge murdered John Oakburn.
This was the mans confession, and
when it had been read to him he was
lifted up in his couch, and he signed it.
OF course Paxton was not in the least
surprised to learn that Kredge was in
Garrison's office on the night Of the
murder. for he had, as we know, long
since concluded that the janitor made
the tell tale tracks under the office win.
dow.
1t puzzled the detective to decide what
part the man whom Pratt d Weeks
called "Carnar" had in the crime.
Whether he was principal or confederate
he could not say.
Paxton informed Stanmore and
Stuart Harland of the confession, and
their satisfaction at the news may be
imagined.
Il had faith to believe that my inno-
cence would be proven, said Stuart.
Now should Judith Kredge accuse
Marion publicly, her denunciation will
be harmless, since we may regard the
proof aga 'nst Kredge sufficient to con-
vince any jury" said Stanmore, who
thought only of Marion's safety.
With the confession Of the man
whom he bribed to secrecy in my pos
session, shall visit Levi Kredge, and
think this time shall be able to
Brighten him into confession, said
Paxton.
The detective reasoned from what he
knew of the character of Levi Kredge,
that, If he was not the principal in the
crime of the brokers' office, he would
now see that there was no hope for him,
and he would try to save himself by
turning states evidence.
Paxton had the confession of the man
who had seen Kredge leave the brokers'
Office through the window in his pocket,
and he forthwith repaired TO the Tombs,
and was admitted to Kredge's CELL
The janitor seemed surprised at Pax
toms visit, and he scented danger.
We'll, Levi, here am again, you see.
and l have a little surprise for you,
said the detective, cheerfully.
What now? Has not Judith's con-
fession convinced you of my innocence
of Oakburn's murder" demanded
Kredge.
"Iil be frank with you, Levi. I don't
for a moment think that Marion had
anything to do with her fathers murder,
answed Paxton.
and you still suspect me?"
Certainly"
Kredge made the transit Of his cell
several times, and finally he sad, in
fierce, desperate tone:
well, what are you going to do
about it,"
: "You can Judge OF that for yourself
when YOU have heard the contents OF
this document which have brought with
me TO read to you.
Thus answered Paxton calmly, and he
drew from his pocket the confession OF
the man whom Kredge had bribed TO
keep his secret.
The prisoner watched him with an
anxious expression on his evil face.
Probably the wretch had q suspicion
pt what was coming, - --..--