The Lamar register., 1901-11-06
"Do you suppose Jackson did ali tAls

Vile QulN frequently. FOr the pdat
six weeks he had not been seen about
here. But then that is no sign that
he was not here. Probably during
those six weeks he was at work. Here
we are" he said, as he crawled out into
the room.
Mr.. Perry followed quickly, and 1
heard him exclaim, in tones OF horror:
"What in heavens name is that?"
Wilson placed the lantern on the floor
and bent down over the PROSTATE body
of Mr.. Morley.
"Why, were there two2 Is he dead,
too?" Mr.. Perry went on. "This is
terrible!-a most horrible affair! Who
can it be?"
The elder detective silently motioned
to Skinner, and together they gently
turned the body over.
The president leaned down, and then
started back. CONSERVATION, doubt,
amazement, horror, were on his face as
he glanced from one to the other of US
"Sylvester Morley!" he finally
gasped. "Impossible!" Then he leaned
over the body again. "It looks very
he whispered, glancing down at Will
son, who gravely nodded his head.
"What? You mean it is Morley-this
body Morley's? Great God in Heaven!"
We stood silently around the body for
some time. none of us willing to utter
q word. But the realization of what
the fathers death, and in such vio-
lent way, would mean to Florence had
been growing stronger and stronger in
my mind, and I finally broke down un-
der it, covered my face with my hands
and groaned aloud.
Soon felt touch on my arm. Glanc-
ing up. saw Mr.. Perry standing be-
side me.
at is a most terrible affair, Nelson;
but never mind, my boy" he said, soft
ly, in an attempt at comfort. His next
words told me, however, that he did
not know the real cause for my grief.
II know how you must feel to have q
horrible event like this happen on your
place. But you are cleared, at any rate.
It will soon be known that you are in
nocent of the crime the suspicion of
which you have borne SO long and so
patiently"
again addressed Mr.. Perry noticed
Wilson and Skinner holding q whis-
pered conversation. The younger
mans face was toward me. and as
his eye caught mine there was so
much pity and sympathy in it that I
could not help feeling some wonder.
ITO think of it all happening on my
grandfather place, whose character
was as far removed from anything
criminal as heaven is high above
aarth," I finally managed to murmur,
unwilling to state the real cause of my
emotion.
els he quite deadT' Mr.. Perry asked
again, turning to Wilson. For an
swer the detective pulled back his coat
and vest and pointed to the shirt bos-
ON, which was dyed with the life
stream.
"You see," he answered, quietly,
"quite dead. Shot through the heart"
asked, turning to me. I nodded my
head.
"why should he? What was Mr..
Morley"
Fortunately, Skinner, who had arisen
after his whispered conversation with
Wilson, and gone poking about in the
corners and behind the empty barrels
and boxes, here uttered shout which
caused us all to glance in his direction.
He was tugging at some object inside
Of a barrel, and soon brought out a
large valise, which from its apparent
weight and plethoric appearance was
stuffed full.
"Ah, that looks promising!" ejacu-
lated Mr.. Perry, starting eagerly for
ward.
The valise was deposited on the floor,
and the president went down on his
with the catch.
"Let me get at it," said Wilson.
While the two were endeavoring to
open the bag, Skinner came to where
was standing, and, gazing down on the
dead man, said, in soft tones: This
will go hard with the young lady"
There was nothing particularly
striking in his words, but the tone of
his voice had SO much genuine feeling
in it that voluntarily turned and ex-
tended my hand.
II hope you'll forgive me-" said.
you bet," he replied, grasping my
hand. "You did pretty near choke the
daylight out of me, though. What
grip you've got!" he added, with a
bright smile. "But then that's all
right. I'm thankful you didn't shoot.
I WAS going to tell you who was, as
there was no use for further conceal
ment from you, but you didn't give me
any chance"
why was the whole affair kept from
me 20 carefully? ?" asked.
The question, for some reason, en-
barrassed Mr.. Skinner.
II guess Wilson thought you were a
little hot-headed. and might give the