Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-01-07

to nv home after dark. If the theory
we are working is correct, your life
will be in danger the first time 1t is
known that you are pursuing the
case. And you, too, Irving, must be
careful. / think you had better let
it be understood that you have had
enough Of it, and that your interest
in the affair has cooled. If it is
agreeable to you both, suppose, you
meet me at my house tomorrow
night at eight o'clock. I shall see
Wright in the morning, get his theory
of the murder, and then, perhaps, we
can make some use of the disjointed
facts in our possession"
The next evening Warde sought the
residence of Mr.. Everett, on Union
street, some distance out. He took
care to muffle himself up consider
ably, and as it was very dark night
and no lamps lighted, because the al
manac called for moonlight night,
he felt safe from Identification. He
was ushered into the lawyers library,
which was very cheerful and inviting.
All the walls were lined with books.
A few ornaments graced tic mantle
piece, and from The generous CRATE
csme the warmth that filed the en-
tire room.
Hardly had Warde taken off his
overcoat and ensconsed himself in a
chair, when the bell rang and Fenton
was announced. He came in disguise,
wearing heavy beard, which at night
would easily prevent anyone from
recognizing him.
Mr.. Everett was by nature hospi-
table man. so he made his guests
welcome, and before they proceeded
10 business he told few remarkably
good anecdotes, interlining them with
a choice punch of his own making,
the recipe for which was a native of
Virginia and had been in the family
for more than 100 years. The lawyer
was in exceptionally bright spirits,
and his whole manner indicated that
he had something to tell which would
surprise them. In dignified, lawyer
like way he seemed to relish the fact
that he had a sensation to communi-
cate.
II have seen Herbert Wright to-
day." he said. land he has put me in
possession of his defense. 1t is of
such character that must pledge
you both to secrecy, but l must also
put you in possession of it, because
you can both help me. If we should
publish it in the papers of Nilus to-
morrow / have no doubt that nearly
everybody in the city would dismiss
it as the invention of a very clumsy
liar. You also may declare it to be
utterly incredible, but the events with
which you are familiar and which
have been withheld from the public
are corroborative of Wright's story.
But there are many links missing,
and only the most painstaking labor
will enable us to complete the chain.
The mystery that surrounds the
death OF John T. Wright also pervades
his entire business career. The man
who in the public estimation was a
millionaire, died apparently almost a
pauper. l am satisfied that some
where the two mysteries blend to-
gether and that the same key will
serve to unlock both. John I. Wright
had large estate and he made large
sums of money in his business. Where
did it all GO? The only answer to this
question is that it went 20 years ago
to buy him off from the gallows.
Have another sip of punch?"
The invitation was accepted, they
seated themselves about the table.
and the lawyer told his story to two
silent, breathless auditors.
y u
'It's a wonderful story, but can it
ever be established?" said Irving,
helplessly.
Fenton was deeply interested; he
was even excited. Here was some
thing worthy of his mettle.
II think can do something in this
case," he said, quietly, but with some
thing in his tone that indicated sub
dued enthusiasm.
The CLEAN in his eye and the COM
preston of his lips were significant.
Fenton had a score to pay off, and 1t
was not in human nature that he
should not be glad at having the op-
portunity to ''get even." He was con-
WINGED that he was the victim of too
much interest in the Wright case,
and he felt his resolution nerved anew
in the desire to clear up the affair
In this way he would have q royal
revenge.
IT am convinced of one thing
thoroughly" said Mr.. Everett as they
were about to break up, land it is
this: Herbert Wright's story fur
nishes the ground work from which
we must work to clear up the mys
terry, and it is useless to follow any
| .fbar. thaorv. or else there is nc