Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-02-20
I~CoNTINUEr.I
CHAPTER XVI.
III MONEY FOUND.

To which The coroner f~clllcus
"Pcrhaps, and perhaps not. Sweet
water has not yet proved his case; let
us wait till he explains himself Then
turning TO the constable lie showed
him an old fashioned miniature which
he had found lying on James breast
when he made his first examination.
1t was set with pearls and backed with
gold and was worth many meals, for
the lack Of which it's devoted owner
had persisted.
agatha Webb's portrait" exclaimed
Talbot. "or rather Agatha GilchrtSts!
For | presume this was painted when
she aud James We're lovers"
.'She was certainly a beauty" COM
mentcd Fenton, as he bent over the
miniature in the moonlight. 81 do not
wonder she queened it over the whole
county"
"He must have worn 1t whore I
found ii for the last 10 years" unused
the doctor. And yqt men say HAT
love Is n lcetlng passion. Well, after
coming upon this proof of devotion.
i find il impossible to believe James
Zabel accountable for her death.
Sweetwatcr's instinct was truer thar
knapp's.'
"Or ours" muttered Fcnton.
"Gentlcmen," %interposed Abel, point.
ing to n bright spot that just then
made its appearance in the dark out
line Or the shade before alluded to, edo
you see that hole? 1t was the sight ot
that prick in the shade which sent
Swcetwater outside looking for foot.
prints. See, Now his eye Is to It" Gas
the bright spot became suddenly
eclipScdL 1--WE are under examination.
slrs. AMI the next thing we will hear
is that he's not the only person who's
been pccring into this room through
that hole
He was so far right that the first
words of Swertwatcr on his re-cr.
trance were; IFS all o *, sirs. I
have found my missing clcw. .!amca
label was ne the only person who
came up here from the Webb cottage
last night And turning TO Knapp
WHO was losing some Of his supercill-
Gus manner, he ASKED, with significant
emphasis: III, of tile full amount
stolen from Agatha Webb. you found
500 In tie 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-
anY'
Upon him who held the lions share,
Of course"
"Nery good. Then II Is not in this
cottage you viii find the person most
wanted. You must look I;ut there,
first let me give you n glimpse Of the
money. Is there any one here ready
TO accompany me in search Of 1t?
shall have to take him n quarter Of n
mile farther up hill"
"You have seen the money? You
know where il is?' asked pr. Talbot
and Mr.. Fenton In one breath.
Gentlemen, | can put my hand on
1t In ten minutes"
At this unexpected and somewhat
startling statement Knapp looked n
DIR. Talbot and DIR. Talbot looked al
the constable, but only the latter spoke
THAT is saying n good deal. But nc
matter. am willing to credit the
assertion. Lead on, Sweetwater. II
go with you"
Sweetwater seemed to grow an incl
at least. "And DR.. Talbot" he sug
gested.
But the coroner's duty held him 4
this house OF death, and he decided no
10 accompany them. Knapp and Abel
however. yielded to the curiosity whicl
had been aroused by these cxtraor
binary promises. and soon these fouI
started on their small expedition VI
the hill.
Swectwater headed the procession
He lad admonished silence. and hi
wish In this regard was SO well carrie,
out that they looked more like n groul
Of specters moving up the moon llghtc,
read than a party Of eager and Impa
tient men. Not till they turned into III,
main thoroughfare did any II speak
Then Abel could no longer restrain
himself, and he cried out:
1--WE are going To Mr.. Suthcrlnnd's."
But Sweetwater quickly undecciye,
him.
mo-" said he, only into the wood
opposite his house."
But at this Mr.. Fenton drew hin
back.
Are you sure of yoursclf?' he sal,
"IIaye you really seen this money, an,
is II concealed In this forcsti'
IL have seen the money" Swcctwa
ter solemnly declared, land il is bidder
In these woods"
Mr.. Fenton dropped his arm, an,
they moved on till their way wa.
blocked by the huge trunk OF a fallci
tree.
at Is here we are 10 looii," erie,
Sweetwatcr pauslng aud motionlnl
Knapp to turn his lantern on the spo
where the shadows lay thlckest. Now
what do you seer" lie asked.
"The upturned roots Of n great tree,
said Mr.. Fenton.
"And under them?"
"A hole or. rather, the entrance &
one"
"very good. The money Is In tina
hole. Pull II out, Mr.. Fenton."
The assurance with which Sweetwa
ter spoke was such that Mr.. Fenton a
once stopped and plunged his hnn'
into the hole; but when. after a hurrie,
search. he drew 1t out again. there wa
nothing In IL; his hand was empty
Sweetwater stared at that hand amaz
ed.
Don't you find anything?" he asked
ay.ats 49,. /. ali - In. a., shok III, %