Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-02-02
CHAPTER XXAv.

eight thousand dollars OF his employer
money, which by chance he had brought
with him, and placing it in my hands, he
said:
Take it. 1t is the price you demand
for my sons liberation. This is my en-
ployer's money, but 1 will replace it
with my own money, which is in my
little private safe
"Then John Oakburn's little safe was
robbed On the night of the murder!" ex-
claimed Paxton.
After this we permitted Reid Oak.
burn to go away with his father First,
however, we gave him one thousand
dollars Of the marked money to con-
tinue his flight with.
+ I'm former days in Kansas City,
Krcdge and Reid Oakburn were great
friends, as happen to know, because
Kredge was then employed by me.
Kredgo objected to taking part in any
scheme against Reid, but his love OF
money was greater than his friendship,
and be consented finally when we prom.
Used him share of tho money we wrung
from Oakburn. Now 1 have told you
the whole story, and every word of it is
the truth"
Thus Pratt concluded.
Paxton and Stanmore were both con-
WINGED from Pratt's manner that his
story was not fabrication, surprising
as his statement was.
|, After this Pratt wrote out a docu.
tnent which was a clear and concise ex'
PLANTATION of how Stanmore had been
made the dupe OF the prime swindlers.
and which proved his entire innocence
Of the swindle, at the head Of which he
had been placed by Pratt and Weeks.
When the paper had been read and
approved by Stanmore, message was
sent to Weeks, who soon put in an ap-
pcarance. The situation was explained
to him, and. making virtue Of neces-
sity, he signed Stanmore's vindication
with his partner.
After this the two scoundrels we're per-
Titted to go.
Paxton and Stanmore at once repaired
to police station, where the man who
exchanged overcoats with Stuart Har-
land had been lodged in a cell by the
agent who had arrested him.
This man was told of Pratts confess
sion, and he confirmed the brokers' story
perfectly. In conclusion he said:
"Yes, my real name is Reid Oakburn,
and am John Oakburn's son"
How came the skeleton keys in the
pocket of the overcoat you exchanged
with Harland?" asked Paxton.
Before was recognized and trapped
by Pratt, / had been prowling about
Garrison's office, but had not revealed
myself to my father. l knew that he
formerly kept his money in the little
safe, with his curious weapons and coins
and meant TO rob his private safe.
Il took the wax Impressions and hat
skeleton keys made for the outside ant
interior door. I also had key made
for the big safe. l meant to blow opeI
the little one, for couldn't get into the
private office to take an impression.
Il was in league with band Of burg
lars, with whom 1 had recently formed
an acquaintance, and an experienced
'safe-b blower was to help me do the job
well, fled from the city the night
of my fathers death. l merely did sc
to deceive Pratt and Weeks, for dis.
trusted them, and feared they might
seek to betray me to the police, after
oil.
II meant to return, and so did, after
going to Albany, where | procured 9
complete disguise, from Jew, to whom
was recommended by one of the band
of burglars had joined.
"On the way to Albany it occurred to
me that Pratt and Weeks might have
had me Swallowed to the depot and tele-
graphed my description ahead, so as to
secure my arrest without seeming to
have instigated it. / felt the necessity
for an immediate change of costume,
aid that was why appropriated Har.
lands coat while he slept forgot to
take the keys out of the pocket of the
coat left behind.
Later, after my return to the city,
mot Levi Kredge, whose completely
with Pratt and Weeks l did not suspect,
and one whom thought no temptation
could induce to betray me, revealed
myself to him, and ne carried note te
my half-sister, Marion, for me.
"She had always been kind to me, and
had always hoodwinked her as to my
real character, and thus won her sym
pathy. She sincerely thought l was
more sinned against than SHINING.
After that Marion met me, but sht
had been tracked, and fled to escape 8
detective. One night not long ago, J
CHANGED to be at the house Of Mothel
kits, when l discovered, much to my
surprise, that Marion was prisoner il
rear room there. Unknown to Mothel
Kits, l had just liberated her, and }
was about to lead her out Of that house
when you appeared, Mr.. Paxton.
II had told Marion that l was fugi'
tive, accused of crime which l had not
executed, and, as took the most solemn
oath that I was innocent, she implicitly
believed me.
when she saw you she whispered al
cbe snatched revolver from my hand
sFlee, I'll prevent his following you
Then it was that she cOnfroted you in
the door. with the revolver leveled
while escaped through rear exit.
After my escape, / tried in vain te
learn what had become of Marion.
Before I knew that the money paid
to Pratt and Weeks by my father wai
marked, gave Marion ten dollar not,
from the money 1 had received from thu
men who betrayed me.
"By Levi Kredge / had previously
sent Marion a photograph Of myself
taken while I was in disguise, so that
she would knew me when we met"
With this Reid Oakburn was silent.
The mystery of Marion's connection
with the supposed assassin, and as tc
how she came by the marked bank mote
l.