Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-01-12
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Stanmore was astonished at the mans
conduct, but the sight of the hand.
writing on the envelope seemed to drive
all thought f anything but the letter
out of his mind
1T is from Marion!" he cried; anG
tearing open the letter he devoured Its
contents.
The letter was as follows:
Mr. STANMORE: You told me to call upon
You for assistance, should the time ever
come, when In dire extremity, L needed a
devoted friend.
That time has come now was abducted
from my home. and | am now a captive by
those who are in league with persons who
are interested In concealing the real truth
Of my fathers murder.
] know the secret OF my poor fathers
terrO'e IA @, and until o-day had In my
POSSESSION q paper, which would prove the
truth OF the explanation had resolved to
make the next day after my abduction, in
open court, in order to save Stuart Har-
land.
Without the parer, which l have lost, or
which has been stolen from me, to prove
my words, know my statement will not
be credited, for l am aware that Judith
Kredge can give the most terrible and posi-
tive evidence against me. If / am arrested
now, I am lost, and II | were to tell the
whole truth OF the mystery. though | swear
TO you by the memory Of my dead mother,
and by all thincs sacred, that am innO-
cent. and that was prompted by noble
purpose would not only defeat that pur-
rose for which l have suffered 50 much but
sacrifice myself
OF al. things, most dread arrc;t call
1rl.t toll
the law. You will find me at No ~ Baxter
street. | implore you not to reveal my
Whereabouts to living soul. have made
cne friend among the confederates OF my
foes. who has promised to deliver this letter
TO you. Yours in doubt and danger,
MARION OAKBUnN
Il will save her," cried Stanmore.
And while seeking to rescue her must
try to prevent her discovery by Pax
ton.
The course of events had so shaped
themselves that now Stanmore was Sc
cretly arrayed against the detective, as
far as related to Marion Oakburn.
He could not think of revealing the
imprisoned girls whereabouts to Paxton
now, since she had implored him not to
tive for keeping the secret.
Stalmore paced his room thinking
profoundly and striving to devise plan
for Marion rescue and vindication.
The following morning he set out for
Paxton's office, alarmed lest the detec-
tive might discover Marion and arrest
her before he could accomplish her
rescue. He wished to be informed re-
garding all of Paxton's discoveries.
AS he approached the office he saw
one of PaxtOn's agents, whom he knew
very well, approaching, and he knew
from the expression of the mans face
that he had some important intelligence
to communicate to his principal.
When the agent entered the office
Stanmore stole to the door, placed his
ear to the keyhole, and listened.
In a moment he reeled back, white
and agitated.
THE fates are against her! Marion s
prison-place has been discovered. The
agent who just entered communicated
tie intelligence to Paxton" he NUT
tered.
Then, listening again, he heard Pax
ton say:
ave will arrange to secure the girl to-
night At least we may hope the de-
velopment OF the great mystery is near
at hand.
Il must foil Paxton. Marion shall
aot be arrested" resolved Stanmore.'
AS he was turning away he saw anoth-
81 of Paxtons agents coming through
the passage leading from the street to
The detectives office.
Stanmore feared that he was discov-
cred playing the part Of spy, but with
great presence of mind, he calmly stoop-
I'd down and seemed TO be engaged in
ying up his SHOE
To the detective he said;
Good morning"
Then he passed on in an unconcerned
way, as though he was just leaving the
office, while the agent entered it.
Stanmore fastened back to his hotel,
feeling that he must work rapidly if he
would defeat Paxton and prevent the
arrest of Marion Oakburn.
AS he was about to enter the hostelry,
had brought him the letter from Marion
On the preceding night.
The fellow made Stanmore signal to
follow him and he Obeyed.
In shop near by the man said:
This morning, just before daylight,
they removed the young lady to new
prison place. You see, they mistrusted
he house was spotted by a detective,
FOR fellow was seen spying about ii
last night.
Describe the spy" said Stanmore,
eagerly.
The man did so.
"Ah, the agent that brought Paxton
The news that he had located Marion.
This is fortunate, Marion will not be
found at the place to which the agent
will conduct Paxton tonight" said
Stanmore.
The he asked:
do you know where the lady now ISL"
"Yes, sir; and tomorrow night I'll
take you to her.
why not Tonight"
"I've got a job on hand. No matter
what it is, it cant watt" said the fellow
resolutely.
With this Stanmore was obliged to rest
content.
1t CALLED him TO think that he was
compelled thus to work in secret, and
that he dared not call upon the police
for assistance to rescue Marion.
That night Paxton and his men made
q descent upon the house where his
agent had located Marion Oakburn, but
of course they did not find her, and the
house where she had been captive was
deserted
Paxton and his agents were furious.
Some traitor must have betrayed our
plans" cried Paxton.
His colaborers agreed with him.
Then the man who had encountered
Stanmore at the door of the office while