The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-17
XxXIII.
In which We Can Pardon MIR. Gryce
His Unfortunate Illness.

His Unfortunate IllnesA.
you didn't expect that? thought I
would surprise you, sir. Oh, know what
continued. "You miss The period and cap
Ital Fl which would show he to be the
beginning of proper name. But, sir, Mr..
Gillespie would not have been the failing
man he was. If by this time he could think
of capitals. much less periods. He was
not even able to complete the word,
though he evidently failed to realize this,
None Of my sons. Hewson' is what was
In his mind; you may take my word Tor
that. And now" he triumphantly con-
cluded, after short but satisfied contem-
platien of my face, ''you can see why this
dying man should expend his last energies
In insuring the safe delivery of these
words to the one person who knew his
former dreadful suspicious. Shrinking as
any father might from letting his sons
know to what a fearful extent he had
misju6ged them, and dreading. as he.
doubtless had good reason to, some inter-
ference on the part OF Hewson II he at
tempted to call any one in the house to
his aid. he sent his little grandchild into
the street."
"But--'
81 know we are dealing with mere pos
sibilities as yet, sir. But these POSSIBLE
tiles are much more credible than the
surmises In which We have hitherto In
dulged. I feel as If free air had entered
my lungs for the first time since the in
quest; and if I can refrain from yielding
too much to the intoxication of it"
But" I again repeated, determined to
have my say out before he had gone too
far. what motive can you ascribe to this
poor old servant for death which rob-
bed him of a master he had served devot-
edly for years."
Motive be-" cried sweetwater, in
some heat. But, with his usual good ma
ture, he instantly begged my pardon, and
his next words were uttered with more
rest RANT Facts first, motives after
wards, What motive have we been able
to find for the committal of this deed by
any one Of his sons? Yet each and all
of them have been suspected and almost
arraigned. STILL" he concluded, "if you
want a motive, search for 1t here" and
he drew from his pocket a second folded
paper, which he opened out before my
eyes.
It was a copy Of Mr.. Gillespie's will.
'Ah!" cried, in dim perception of what
he meant.
"a thousand dollars" explained Sweet
water. mot much in your eyes, but quite
fortune In his"
And for so paltry legacy you think
that this man.
Sweetwater's finger went to his lips.
Excuse me-" asid he, ''but had we not
better. put back this typewriter on the
shelf from which we took 1t? If do not
mistake, it will figure largely in the trial
which I plainly see approaching"
I nodded, recognizing the wisdom of the
admonition thus given, and together we
placed the typewrit or back In the closet.
Then he turned towards me with a new
light in his small gray eye.
And now, SIR he cried, 'Iet me re-
quest you to stand back trife. ! am
going to finish this business
Opening the door with sudden jurk,
he~plunged into the hall A shadow was
Just disappearing from the opposite door,
way. With a shout to ME to light up, he
leaped across the hall into the dining
room, The next minute I heard cry,
then a low gurgle; then the match had
hastily struck Jared up, and beheld the
detective holding down the butler and
looking eagerly towards me for the ex-
pected light.
The man In the hail was by this time at
my side, and between us we soon had three
lets it, Illuminating two white faces;
Sweetwater's pale with Triumph Hew-
sons blue-white from fear.
Murderer Poisoner of your benefac-
tor and friend, have you at last!" cried
the struggling detective, watching how
each terrible word he hurled blanched to
greater and greater degree the face he
held pressed back for our inspection. "You
could see without altering your masters
sons, the boys you have handled ON your
knee fall one after the other under the
shadow of public suspicion. Now we
will see If you can show as much
heroism on your own account. You ar
the man who drugged Mr.. Gillespie'
wine; and if the officer here will take yo'
in charge for an hour or so, I will G.
down and procure a warrant for your ar
rest
The attack was so sudden, and Sweet
waters manner one of such complete con
viction. that the old man succumbed t
It without a struggle. -.
Mercy" he moaned. II was old-tfre
Of work-a little home-a little freedom
In my old age-a-a- f. -.1
I fed from the room. It seemed as
the walls must cave in upon us. For this
Tor. this!
The sight Of half dozen frlghtene
faces in the hall restored my self-posses
sion. The servants had come up from be
low and stood crowding and jostling eac
pther just as they had done three week
before. At the sight of Hewson's cover
Ing figure they began to moan and cry.
''Be quiet there!" exhorted sweetwatel
advancing upon them with the courag
born of his triumphant success. THE oil
man whom you have doubtless thought tt
has Just confessed to the crime which ha
desolated this house and all but RUNE
the three young gentlemen, your master
Cry away If you want to, but cry quietl
and without giving the least alarm, for tt
good news has not gone upstairs yet an
this gentleman, who was the first to ar
nounce Mr.. Gillespie's death to his son
naturally would like the satisfaction
telling Them that his murderer has bee
found I have no doubt that Mr.. Geors
and his brother are to be found above"
"They be, sir; they be- spoke up
voice. I&E
Sweetwater, whose divination of n
wishes struck me as remarkable, stepp'
aside at this, and, waiting for me
pass him, followed me to the floor abo'
with step so light he seemed to
buoyed up by wings.
AS on q former memorable occasion,
stopped at Georges door first. The knot
gave was followed by a rather surly inv
tation to enter. Excusing his ungraciou
ness in consideration of the fact that
visitors Of late had not been entirely tho
of his own choice and consequently e.
from welcome, I pushed open the do
without any other exhibition OF feelll
than an apologize smile.
A scene of disorder confronted me; Il
disorder of an idle man who feels tn
with the withdrawal of all women fro
the house he had lost all incentive
neatness, perhaps to. decency. In It's mids
and loiling on table over which Il
spread some cards he was pushing abo
with idle fingers, sat George, much &
worse for liquor, and by just that nu
short of being the handsome man he vi