The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1902-03-29


searched the building without success.
was yielding to despair. and wan
dered into the back garden. Suddenly
Fido capered about me with some
thing in his mouth. 1t was a hand
kerchief. took it. A glance made
my heart stop; beheld bloodstains!
examined the handkerchief as for
lorn miner would inspect gold-dust.
1t was woman's, marked Is. H., No.
A. ! recognized it, and knew the own
cr. l smelt it; very peculiar odor
it had.
Il renewed my search with vigor.
1t was evident the criminal had es-
capped by the rear. Reviving hope
fired me, and inch by inch l scruti-
nized doors, walls. windows, every
thing and anything, large and small.
For three days l hunted increasingly.
MY total discoveries were some
threads of cloth torn off while squeez-
ing through small window, blood
stains on the sash arising from cut
with rusty nail in the wood, foot
prints on the ground beneath the
window. The ground was soft enough
to reveal an impression. Very close
examination disclosed peculiar i'm
print with cut across. An inspira-
ton dawned on me--the overshoes.
From these links, how should / form
a chain? First, the handkerchief, and
l went to Whitton's, the druggist. He
ransacked his store, but couH not
find me scent like it. shot: an ar
row at a venture.
You sold some to Miss Harvey, l
think?'
oh. yes; l know now. goa that
especially for her. am sorry I have
none left
Il reeled out of the shop. / was on
the track. 'B. H. were Bertha Har-
vey's initials; this was her hapdker-
chief. l went straight to her home.
During my stay pretended 10 have
lost my handkerchief. She Nit me
the exact counterpart of the one /
had found, save it was marked No.
~ Itwitted her that knew she was
in the habit of lending her handker-
chiefs to gentlemen. She laughed and
blushed, and bantered her into con-
fession. She had never lent but one,
and she told me to whom. involun-
tarily jumped from my chair. but had
enough self-control to recover my
self, pretending had assumed aston
ishment.
snow l had almost run down my
game. How should 1 get into his
house? Providence aided me. You are
an elderly man, and have known me
from infancy, so can speak freely to
you, Mr.. Dickinson. At one time he
paid me such attention that had to
ignore him. Iknew his Iand,ady we'll
a regular old gossip. My plan was
formed Immediately: Entice him with
softest words and all your resources Of
from him and the old
woman you will CLEAN the evidence you
seek.
II succeeded beyond my widest
hopes. need not weary you with de-
tails. BY dint of coaxing and presents
induced the old dame to let me do a
| pleased. Then 1 made her my conf
dante. / wanted to make her boarder
a pair of slippers without his KNOW
sdge. She offered me pair to meas
ure. No; knew he had an old pair of
overshoes somewhere. Could / have
hem for day or two? We searched
together. Buried in a corner of the
we found a pair. / turned
hem up; there was cut across the
sole of the left foot. / trembled so
nearly let them fall. Itook
hem to poor Mr.. Meyrick's house;
they fitted the footprints exactly.
II have traced the suit of clothes,
and can prove the purchaser and the
late of purchase. But one thing re-
mains undone. swore I saw Herbert
three minutes after the murder close
70 the back of the house. AS Herbert
s dark, and the culprit is light. he
must have disguised himself, which
proves design. A local hairdresser
lays he lent the same man some wigs, |
vhiskers, ETC., for private theatricals.
Certainly no private theatricals have
aiken place. while he had them before
ind returned them after the date of
he murder. so they were in his pos
ession then. Concerning the deed it.
'elf, you know Herbert swore he left
IFS revolver with Mr.. Meyrick an hour |
"You astound me-" said the old law
'er. "A girl like you with such astute-
hess! 1t passes my comprehension"
'Don't you think there are good |
rounds for arrest?"
Certainly. Who is hep
"Mr. Vernon Stanton. a clerk IN
dry goods store!"
Mr.. Dickinson fairly leaped from his
hair with an irreverent expression of
urprise. 1t took him some little time
o subside into his usual calm.
Then he sent for the captain of po-
ice, putting all details into his posses.
ion. Two hours after the officer re-
urned to Mr.. Dickinson's Office with
gloomy face.
ut is al over. Mr.. Dickinson"
"What! has be confessed?"
"Yes, in words and action. Twas 90
ng up to Mr.. Stanton's rooms, whenI
aw him coming. He was in great
curry, carrying travelling bag. This,
With his face. made me think he knew
We were after him. Miss Dalton was
Il -