Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-08-11

IlOH OF ner lover, heQWlng. INTO the tenn
porary service of Mr.. Pardon. Only enc
person knew that she was acquainted
with Redwing; that person was Samuel
Fleetwood. Correctly divining thai Fleet
wood had communicated his suspicious to
Mr.. Pardon, she sought that gentleman
in his garden in the dead of night, and
worked so artfully upon his feelings that
she succeeded in destroying the unfavor-
able impressions which he had gained.
She informed Mr.. Pardon that Redwing
was her brother Chance played into her
hands. The interview, by her conniving,
took place after midnight and in the dark.
She and her master were surprised by
Samuel Fleetwood, who passed them
without speaking. Thus, in Fleetwood's
eyes, Mr.. Pardon was seriously compro-
missed
There is no doubt that Mile. Rosalie
introduced Redwing into Mr.. Fardon's
house for the purpose of robbery; but
before the plan they were devising was
ripe, higher game presented itself. Mr.
Wilmot paid a visit to his nephew, Mr..
Pardon. He brought with him a sum of
FIVE thousand pounds. Mile. Resale, al
ways on the watch, ascertained that
man and her master with respect to the
marriage of Miss Pardon. Mile Ro-
sale and Redwing decided to murder
Mr.. Wilmot and rob him. To reach the
bed chamber of Mr. Wilmot they had to
pass through that of Samuel Fleetwood,
upon whom they intended to east the sus-
picion of the murder; if he awoke they
resolved to kill him also. In silence the
deed was done. The old man was weak,
and with swift cruelty he was strangled,
and scarce a murmur came from his lips.
They found the keys of the dispatch
box in his pocket; unlocking it, they took
out the five thousand pounds, relocked
the box, replaced the key in the dead
mans pocket. and were about to leave
the chamber when they were startled by
the sudden appearance of Mr.. Pardon. He
was in one of his sleep-walking frances
Quick as thought trey changed their
plans, and resolved TO throw the suspi-
cion of the murder upon him. Mile. Ro-
sale slipped diamond ring off the muir
dered gentleman's finger and slid it into
Mr.. Pardon's waistcoat pocket. Then
She took the cord from Mr. Wilmot's
neck, and gided with it to Mr.. Pardon's
bedroom. The door was ajar, his wife
was asleep. In a moment the cord was
slipped under the pillow of sofa which
WAS in the room. The murderers reach
ed their own apartments in safety and
bided the issue of events.
After they were gone from Mr.. Will
mot's room, leaving Mr.. Pardon there,
Samuel Fleetwood, it appears. awoke,
and, seeing his master standing by the
inc II 30 10
clusion that he had committed the muir
der. This man was suffering from heart
disease, and was aware that he had but
a short time to live; he was deeply, pas
sionately devoted TO his mistress and her
young daughter; he knew that the arrest
of Mr.. Pardon would bring incredible
misery upon them, and he resolved upon
a course which doubtless many persons
admire He fled, and thus the suspicion
of the murder fell upon himself What
afterward happened to him 1 have all
ready related, and is public property
The detective paused, and fixed his
eyes upon me- In breathless amazement
and gratitude had followed his words.
| was nnocent-innocent! Once more l
could clasp my beloved wife and child
TO my heart! Once more, thank God
Once more | could kneel by their sides
in prayer, and lift up my voice in
thankfulness 10 the Giver of all good
In the silence that ensued the terror was
lifted from my soul. and involuntarily
l slid to my knees and lifted my hands
to heaven, while the tears rolled down
my face and beard. Then, when my pas
sion of gratitude was in some measure
abated. l rose to my feet and said:
y am Richard Pardonr'
II knew it, sir" said the detective,
mot from your appearance, which COM
pletely deceived IRE, 5ut from your voice
when you asked Mr.. Stanmore whether
you should leave us together. 1t is a
true telltale, the voice; man may
change himself from white to black,
but he cannot disguise his voice. All
that l have related to you as gained,
at odd times, by me and my partner,
from the conversation we overheard be-
tween Mile. ROsalie and Redwing. He
is with her now at the Bull and Mouth,
and the handouts are in my partners
pockets | will tell you something more.
sir. l know where Redwing purchased
the cord with which Mr.. Wilmot was
strangled. l will tell you even some
thing more. They have spent the FIVE
thousand sovereigns; but at this very
moment they have upon them the four
thousand FIVE hundred pounds in Bank
of England notes. which as yet they have
been afraid to attempt to pass. l have
the numbers of these notes IN my pocket
book here; l obtained them from the
bank at which Mr.. Wilmot's check was
cashed. We have the net tight round
them. The reward you offered is all
right, suppose, sir?"
1T shall be trebled," | said, land all
the expenses you have been put to re
paid"
THAT is my affair."" said Stanmore;
"the detectives were engaged upon my
business"
Nay" l said, they were engaged up
on mine Do not argue with me. l am
like man newly risen from the grave"
Indeed, l was trembling so that they
had to assist me into a chair. Presently
said:
Il know now. Stanmore, where l saw
copies of those sketches which l recog-
wife had them"
1T does not surprise me-" said Stan
more. when she ran away from me
she robbed me pretty freely. Heaven
have mercy upon herr.
To which l said. Amen"
/ could prolong my story. but it would
be only repeating what is already known.
Kedwing and Mrs. Stanmore were tried
and condemned. He expiated his crime
upon the scaffold. She was sentenced to
imprisonment for life.
Months have passed since then. and l
have recovered my peace of mind. My
darling wife is by my side as / write
these concluding words. Eunice and
Harry Clanronald are in the garden be-
low They are soon TO be married. We
have left Boscomhe Lodge for good We
shall never return to il.
Humbly do l thank God for the peril
/ escaped.
over the grave of Samuel Fleetwood
bright flowers are blooming. We shall
meet him in the hereafter.
CThe end)