The National tribune., 1901-11-14


here and there little knots of men stood
| in earnest conversation.
It was evident that something of an un-
usual character had taken place, and as
Gilbert stopped his horse in front of the
inn and dismOunted several of the men
came to meet him.
Are you the Coroner?' asked one of
the men.
happened?"
''You hain't heard, then? -.
NO: have just arrived in the village"
"Thar's bin murder committed said
the man, with a grave shake of the head,
'an right hyar in the inn"
Gilbert looked aghast.
1T war like this" went on the speaker;
''last night two men stopped at the Blue
Stag-a young feller an an old man. This
mornin the old man is found murdered in
his bed an the young chap is gone. Thar
amt much doubt that the young feiler
did it, an the officers aire on his track
now"
"And if he is caught" put in another,
Il reckon thar's plenty Nv trees a-growln
hereabouts."
"Who-who is the man who was muir
dered: asked Gilbert.
IAN old Teller that lived up at Pine
Hall-Withers, | think his name is, was
the reply.
Gilbert was thunderstruck at the mans
words.
Col. Withersm he gasped "In the
name Of Heaven, can this be trueF
Yes, Col. Withers; that's what the
landlord called him. 1t is bad business.
They have got guard at the door Nv
the room whar the stranger was muir
dered waitin' fer the Coroner ter come"
Gilbert entered the inn, shocked by the
awful news. At the door he was met by
Solomon Gluck, the landlord. He recog-
nized the landlord as one of the men with
whom he had had some business transac-
tons in regard to clearing the title to
tract of land few weeks before.
"Ah, it is you. Mr.. Marsh cried the
innkeeper, grasping the young mans hand.
fright glad | am to see you. This dread
full affair has been u severe blow to me,
Mr.. Marsh. / suppose you have heard
about it!'
''Yes. but | have not had the particu-
lars Is it possible that it is Col. Withers
who has been murderedV
Yes; and tell you. Mr.. Marsh, there
is something about the whole business
that | don't understand. You knew the
ColonelF
Yes, and 1 was on my way to Pine
Hall when l stopped here"
''By Joe, am glad that you came. I
would like to have some one about who
to assist me in this dreadful business.
wouldn't have had the deed committed
in my inn for a thousand dollars. You
don't know how unpleasant it is, and how
it hurts ones business. Why, | knew as
good an inn as was ever built to be ruined
in this very way. A pedler, think it
was, was murdered in one of its rooms,
and every idle loafer that knew Of the
deed was always ready and willing to
| point out the inn where the pedler was
murdered. Yes, and they would give all
| the horrifying particulars, till people
/ ceased TO patronizc the place. Yes, sir,
! and the inn was closed within n year"
Have you 10 clcw as to the motive
of the crime?' asked Gilbert.
Il haven't had time TO think of the
matter yet. But come with me and we
| will take a look at the body. Then |
want to talk with You"
! He led the way up a flight of stairs,
and passing through a narrow hall came
10 a door before which stood the ConSta-
| bic, keeping guard.
This is Mr. Marsh, n friend of the
murdered man." said the landlord intro
duciug Gilbert to the officer, land | want
| him to take a look at the body"
The Constable opened the door and the
| two passed in.
Gilbert felt a cold chill of horror come
over him as he looked at the rigid form
on the bed, and saw the stains of blood
about the room.
Yes, it is only too true-it is Col.
Wthers," said Gilbert, in husky voice
Have you sent any word to-his rela-
tivesE'
"Yes; l sent carriage for his niece,
Miss Remington, as soon as the body was
discovered. | do not know that he has
any other relatives living. In fact
know very little of the deceased. 1t IS
only of late that he has resided at Pine
Hall. He came here from the South,
understand, and was only staying at the
Hall for short season. Have you known
him longI"
"Only 4 few months. l met him in
Springfield shortly after my arrival in the
city"
AS Gilbert cast his eyes over the room
he saw evidences of Il struggle. chair
was overturned, and the covers Of the bed
were thrown back and twisted about the
form OF the deceased. There was no