The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-02-13

nized doors, walls, windows, every
thing and anything, large and small.
For three days l huntaS increasingly.
My total discoveries were some
threads of cloth torn off while squecz-
ing through small window, blood
stains on the sash arising from a cut
with a rusty nail in the wood, foot
prints on the ground beneath the
window. The ground was soft enour I'll
to reveal an impression. Very close
examination disclosed peculiar inn
print with a cut across. An inspira-
tion dawned on me-the overshoes.
From these links, how should l form
chain? First, the handkerchief, and
L went to Whitton's, the druggist. He
ransacked his store, but could not
find me n scent like it. l shot an ar
row at venture.
"'You sold some to Miss Harvey,
think?'
"'0h, yes; 1 know now. l got that
especially for her. am sorry have
none left
81 reeled out of the shop I was on
ths track. 'B. H. were Bertha Har-
vey's initials; this was her handker-
chief. 1 went straight to her home.
During my stay I pretended to have
lost my handkerchief. She lent me
the exact counterpart OF the one /
had found, save it was marked No.
q / twitted her that | knew she was
in the habit of lending her handker-
chiefs to gentlemen. She laughed and
blushcd, 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 l had assumed aston
ishment.
Now | had almost run down my
game. How should I 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. knew his land,ady we'll
a regular old gossip. My plan was
formed imme diately: Entice him with
softest words and all your resources of
fascination; from him and the old
woman you will CLEAN the evidence you
seek.
81 succeeded beyond my widest
hopes. l need not weary you with de-
tails. BY dint of coaxing and presents
induced the old dame to let me do as
/ pleased. Then I made her my conf
dante. l wanted to make her boarder
a pair of slippers without his know.
edge. She offered me a pair to meas
ure. No; knew he had an old pair of
overshoes somewhere. Could / have
them for day or two? We searched
together. Buried in corner of the
wardrobe we found pair. turned
them up; there was cut across the
sole Of the left foot. I trembled so
violently l nearly let them fall. Itook
them to poor Mr.. Meyrick's house;
they fitted the footprints exactly.
81 have traced the suit Of clothes,
and can prove the purchaser and the
date of purchase. But one thing re-
mains undone. I swore I saw Herbert
to the back of the house. AS Herbert
is dark. and the culprit is light, he
must have disguised himself, which
proves design. A local hairdresser
says he lent the same man some wigs,
whiskers, ETC., for private theatricals.
Certainly no private theatricals have
taken place, while he had them before
and returned them after the date Of
the murder, so they were in his pos
session then. Concerning the deed it.
self. you know Herbert swore he left
his revolver with Mr.. Meyrick an hour
before"
"You astound me-" said the old law
yer. "a girl like you with such astute-
ness! 1t passes my comprehension"
"Don't you think there are good
grounds for arrest?"
"Certainly. Who is hep"
"Mr. Vernon Stanton. clerk in
Halliwell's dry goods store!"
Mr.. Dickinson fairly leaped from his
chair with an irreverent expression of
surprise. 1t took him some little time
to subside into his usual calm.
Then he sent for the captain of po-
lice, putting all details into his posses
sion. Two hours after the officer re-
turned to Mr.. Dickinson's Office with a
somewhat gloomy face.
"It is all over, Mr.. Dickinson"
"What! has he confessed?"
eyes, in words and action. was GO
ing up to Mr.. Stanton's rooms, when !
saw him coming. He was in a great
hurry, carrying travelling bag. This
with his face. made me think he knew
we were after him. Miss Dalton was
very smart; but she should have con.
suited us before she took those over.
shoes. Women are so impulsive. Well
I followed him. AS l expected, he went
to the railroad station. touched him
and advised him not to buy a ticket
as he would waste his money. He
turned paler than Famlet's ghost.
"'Heaven help me. l was mad! II
was all for her he said, in quavering
voice. please do not handcuff me- he
implored.
"Very well, Mr.. Stanton replied
"Just then the shrek of an express
whistle made me start. He dropped his
bag and rushed across the platform
L. 10 T.