The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-08-30
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CHAPTER X.
Continued.

about the room. There were no signs
of a struggle visible, not trace OF dis
order. The dead mans clothing was
folded by his bedside; the dispatch box,
locked, was in its place on the floor
at the head of the bed; even the bed
clothes were smoothly arranged.
1.-THE first and instant thing TO be
done" said Mt. Mortlock, "is to lock
these rooms and to call in the police"
The advice was proper and practical.
The communicating door could not be
locked, having been broken in; but l
locked the door of FleetwOod's room.
With the key in my pocket, and those
who were with me proceeded to the
ground floor. Whether it was brought
about by accident or design I know
not, but Mile. Rosalie and l were
side by side a moment or two in the
rear of my wife and Mr. Mortlock.
"Strangled, he said, sir?" she whis-
pered.
YES" l replied, mechanically.
1.-THE rope must have been thin,' she
whispered. did you. notice how mar
row the mark was round his neck"
I nodded and passed on, and, seeing
Mile. Rosalie's brother, Redwing, in
the garden, called to him, and bade him
take note, which I hastily wrote, to
the police station. AS soon afterward
as was practicable three officers pre-
scented themselves-an inspector, an or
dinary policeman, and detective-and
I conducted them to the apartment in
which the dead body Of my uncle was
lying. At the inspectors request
handed him the key Of Fleetwood's
room, and he took possession also OF
the key of my uncle's room, which was
in the lock, inside.
"These rooms are now in our charge,
sir" said the inspector to me, "and no
one must enter them without permis-
sion."
'I understand that" I said.
at the examination which they then
proceeded to make, only Mr.. Mortlock
and I were present of my household.
MY wife had no wish to accompany
us. Mile. Rosalie had expressed her
willingness to do so, but she was not
allowed.
I did not require prompting to relate
to the officers all that knew concern
ing my uncle's movements, which, IN
my judgment, had any bearing upon
the matter. 1 said nothing Of the con-
yersation which so vitally affected my
future prospects in life, for 1 deemed
1t purely private matter. Mr.. Mort
lock then supplied the officers with in
formation, and I learned that he had
been with my uncle in his bedroom
after they had both wished us good
hight. He had remained with my uncle
half an hour or so in private converse,
and, to my relief, nothing fell from
bis lips as he spoke to the officers with
respect to Eunice. He had concluded
his narration when he made remark
which, had I not kept strong guard
over my feelings, would have brought
the tell-tale blood to my face. The Of
fcers had turned down the bedclothes,
and my uncle's hands were lying by
his side Mr.. Mortlock stopped and
looked at them.
"Mr. Wilmot," he said, chad dia-
mond ring on his finger last night. 1t
was a single stone ring, and the dia-
mond was of fine sparkle, and attract
ed my attention"
They searched the room for the ring,
and assisted them, the ring being all
the time in my pocket. 7 dared not
produce it, fearing the construction
that might be placed upon its being in
my possession.
"That looks" said the inspector, "as
if robbery were the motive. The muir
derer is in danger; the ring can be iden-
tifed?"
II will swear to it," said Mr.. Mort
lock.
You see, gentlemen" remarked the
inspector. these fellows generally sup
ply us with clew. That ring discov-
cred. we shall soon lay hands on the
murderer"
And yet" observed Mr.. Mortlock,
Hit hardly looks as if robbery were
the motive. Mr.. Wilmot's watch and
chain have not been touched"
THAT doesn't matter" said the IN
spector: "it Is left to put us off the
scent. What is in that dispatch box"
"A large sum Of money I replied
"and some valuable jewels. On the
night of Mr.. Wilmot's arrival here
that is, the night before last-1 assisted
him to count the money. There were
Eve thousand pounds"
The inspector gave low whistle OF
astoniShment. That's large sum to
carry about-a dangerous sum. 1t Is
putting temptation into mems way"
'It was Mr.. Wilmot's whim," said
Mr.. Mortlock. Il travelled with him
abroad for some time, and he seldom
carried less than that amount"
"Of course" said The inspector, "that
was his affair. It's O good thing to
have to carry it about. Few of US have
the luck"
The dispatch box could be exam
tned," said Mr.. Mortlock.
"It is what 1 intend" said the in
spector. First. the key
It was found in one of the murdered
mans pockets
obstructive of your theory OBJ
served Mr.. Mortlock.
Don't be too fast. sir, begging your
pardon Sceing's believing"
He unlocked the dispatch box. Ihe
money was gone!
The inspector looked at Mr.. MortlocF