The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-03-26

line of the shade before alluded to, do
you see that hole? 1t was the sight of
that prick in the shade which sent
Sweetwater outside looking for foot
prints. See. Now his eye is to it, Gas
the bright spot became suddenly
eclipsed} "We are under examination.
sirs. and the next thing we will hear
is that he's not the only person who's
been peering into this room through
that hole"
He was so far right that the first
words of Sweetwater on his re-en-
trance We're: ITS all 0 Il, sirs.
have found my missing clew. James
Zahel was not the only person who
ramu UP here from the Webb cottage
last night" And turning to Knapp,
who was losing some of his supercill-
ous manner, he asked, with significant
emphasis: If. of the full amount
: stolen from Agatha Webb, you found
$50 in the possession of one man and
$3.50 in the possession of another, upon
which of the two would you fix as the
probable murderer of this good wom-
an?'
Upon him who held the lions share,
of course"
Every good. Then it is not in this
cottage you will find the person most
wanted. You must look But there,
first let me give you glimpse of the
! money. Is there any one here ready
to accompany me in search Of it? 1
shall have to take him quarter of
mile farther UP hill"
You have seen the money? You
| know where it isl" asked DIR. Talbot
and Mr.. Fenton in one breath.
Gentlemen. can put my hand on
| it in ten minutes"
| At this unexpected and somewhat
| startling statement Knapp looked at
DR.. Talbot ard Dr. Talbot looked at
the constable. but only the latter spoke.
"That is saying good deal. But no
matter. am willing to credit the
assertion. Lead on, Sweetwater. I'll
go with YOU
Sweetwater seemed to grow an inch
at least "And DIR. Talbot" he sug-
gested.
But the coroner's duty held him to
/ this house Of death and he decided not
to accompany them. Knapp and Abel,
however, yielded to the curiosity which
had been aroused by these extraor-
binary promises. and soon these four
started on their small expedition up
the hill.
Sweetwater headed the procession.
He had admonished silence, and his
wish in this regard was so well carried
out that they looked more like group
of specters moving up the moon lighted
road than a party Of eager and impa-
tient men. Not till they turned into the
main thoroughfare did any one speak.
Then Abel could no longer restrain
himself, and he cried out:
1--WE are going to Mr.. Sutherland's."
But Sweetwater quickly undeceived
him
"No," said he, "only into the woods
opposite his house,
But at this Mr.. Fenton drew him
back
Are you sure of yourself?" he said
"Have you really seen this money, and
is it concealed in this forest?'
II have seen the money" Sweetwa
ter solemnly declared, land it is bidder
in these woods"
Mr.. Fenton dropped his arm, ant
they moved on till their way wa
blocked by the huge trunk of fallel
tree.
"It is here we are to look" criet
: Sweetwater pausing and motioninl
Knapp to turn his lantern on the spo
where the shadows lay thickest. 'Now
what do you see?" he asked
THE upturned roots of great tree,
said Mr.. Fenton.
"And under them?"
"a hole or. rather. the entrance t
one"
VERY good. The money is in tina
hole. Pull it oat. Mr.. Fcnton"
] The assurance with which Sweetws
ter spoke was such that Mr. renton 6
y once stopped and plunged his han
!, into the hole; but when. after hurrie
n search, he drew it out again, there wa
t nothing in it; his hand was empt.
Sweetwater stared at that hand ANA
ed
= Don't you find anything? he aske
It "Isn't there roll Of bills in that hole.
n mo-" was the gloomy answer, aft,
d renewed attempt and second disa
b pointment. '"rhere is nothing to |
1T found here. You are laboring und
4. some misrepresentation, Sweetwater."
b "But l can't be. | saw the none
n saw it in the hand of the person wi
r hid it there. Let me look for It, co
stable. ! will not give up the scare
d till l have turned the place tops
$! turvy"
n Kneeling down in Mr.. Fenton's plae
he thrust his hand into the hole. {
a. either side of him pecred the faces
lie Mr. Fenton and Knapp. (Abel h;
ot slipped away at a whisper fro
lie Sweetwater.) They We're lit with
similar expression of anxious intere
I and growing doubt. His own count
ID nance was study of conflicting and
1T no means cheerful emotions. Sudde
er ly his aspect changed. With qui
q, twist of his 1.-the. ii awkward, boi
2S ba throw HIM saJf lenotbwiSa on 4