Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-14
CHAPTER XII
Dark;s the Hour Before tho Dawn"


lett as he stepped from the evening train
The platform was filled with people; the
newsboys, yelping like coyotes. were DART
ing to and fro "AIl about the murdurr!"
was the incessant cry. The Evening Star
was selling at premium. and stranger,
a man in civilian dress, touched the cap
tain on the sleeve and bade him step one
side.
We've found the major. SIR" he said,
more dead than alive, and they've arrest
ed Captain Fame"
Hazlett's heart stood still. Had he come
then all too late? Had his warnings been
ignored-his counsel all vain? Knowing the
past, knowing the men, knowing motive,
was the issue to be wondered at! rake
me to him. was all he said, and entering
the hack the two were driven away.
% The evening was dark and dull. The wind
was whirling spteful little dust clouds about
the streets. Here and there, at the corners
and about the doorwayS of shops and sa-
looms, groups of men and boys were gath
cred, their number increasing somewhat as
the hack drew nearer to the county build
ings the court house and the Jail. Some
kind of investigation had already been tax
ing place. Sheriff's officials were busting
about the corridors and portico. students,
in battalion uniform or civilian dress were
grouped observant and almost silent, ABOUT
the walks and the wide piazza. carriage
containing two college officials hao just
the curb Some few students Saluted their
vanishing superiors, but most of them with
drew no hand from the roomy pockets. Iney
gazed after them with gloomy eyes. Inc
moment Captain Hazlett stepped TO the
sidewalk the groups began to close IN, ana
an undersheriff came forward, inquired MS
name and handed him dispatch. II was
from headquarters in Chicago. Inc news
had reached the commanding general JUST
after Hazlett left his Office. He was en-
q PiRPOtt
the hospital authorities would permit ior
Gen. Sheridan had been told there was
chance for life. Hazlett asked hrst TO see
Fame and was admitted to an inner room
where the Young officer was for the present
secluded, awaiting report or the surgeons
in care of the stricken man. Hazlett race
was grave. yet alight with relef ana con
fidence as he came forth ten minutes later.
Professor Sharpe sprang lof "dio anu 'oo'>
him by the hand:
.'They would not admit u.s. said he, put
Lorimer and l refuse to credit the story,
and we want him and want you to KNOW ~,
1t. OF course, if there'd been "a nght"'
he paused SUCCESSFULLY.
There hasn't been a fight, SAID dazett
bluntly. land Ronald Fame is no more ca
pable of shooting down fellow man III
cold blood than you are OF steailhs.
"Its-it's the hot blood we reared, cap
tain" answered Sharpe, in low tone. he
has had one thing after another TO exas-
perate him of late, and there might nave
been taunt-insult. We hear they nave long
been enemies The story is all over town
now" - o.,
..Driye with me to the hospital, will your.
asked Hazlett. II must get there at once,
and he bundled them in, Sharpe and Lori
mer both. Now, tell me all you cah' he
said, as swiftly they drove away.
And so, in part at least, driving TO ana
returning from the mile away retreat Where
the unconscious victim lay towering sun
'twixt life and death, the men OF DOCKS anu
+oII tIn n n
of trouble strange web indeed OF strong,
though circumstantial, evidence was that
they spread before their nearer, VINO po"eo
his head in silent, sorroWful acceptance as
noint after point was made; yet, when all
was said and done, turned sturdlly 10 the
main issue and stood by his original YER
dict. II still believe it can al! be ex-
planned" said he. Il still hold MIN ihilo-
cent.
IN this: Professor Beerbohm was the hrst
to direct suspicion to Fane-Urecting II even
before the deed. Beerbohm had had 10 MAKE
his peace with the president Tor Una. gis ~
to the Stetsons Beerbohm had conf1ded TO
the president that the stranger was Ma
Tor Pggott, near relative of the man they
knew as Stetson. Piggott had come mere
to see his long lost kinsman. ana yet liao
had to ask that it be kept secret De
cause as he now found, Lieut.. fane was
at the college. Lieut.. Fame had served
under his command in Arizona, ana Lieut. Ut
Fame smartng under deserved ceiisuie IL.
his misbehayior on campaign, had sworn "
get even with Major Piggott; had even
threatened his life. Fane's frienos IN me
army had done their best TO get risso.ss
into trouble, but Piggott had been sustallieu
NV the War Department and others III au-
tboritv Fanes friends were forced to give
nm the fight but Fame swore ne Wouio ioi
low II to the bitter end and would square
sooner or later with the major II ~ cos.
him his commission. II was arransSo .n
- faly
Tor during his brief stay, and every pre-
canton should be observed to keep fane
in ignorance of the major presence, L.,
of course on the majors account, out ina
~ the lieutenant who was notorlously
rash bot-headed and might do something
to bring scandal or disgrace upon the army
and the college," las indeed" said Beer,
holm. I'VE know he has Narrowly escapeu
doing on several occasions mere.
Then. said Beerbohm, Capt. Hazlett hao
come with his ill-advised inquiries (dazlett,
who had been ordered by Gen. Sheridan 70
go to Groveton and see II the nllssins VI,
ficer had been there, because letters 1ouno
In Piepott's room came from GroVeton anu
nowhere else), and Beerbohm reasoned that
Can't. Hazlett had probably told MT. rams
~ his suspicIons. Fame was then seen iate
at night accommodating the Stetson prem
ises and prowling about the collese s lU;ddt
Reerhohm told all this to the presloent
and got the president worked up. ihen
came Duggan with his story and stone, anu
the clipping from the Chicago Carnuncie'
and finally the gruesome discovery OF Ma
ior Pit. otis person, more oeao tnan
alive" said the two college workmen VINO
found it. close to Cedar Point and not ten
feet from the waters edge. Then the presi-
dent. who had been investigating fahe
night comings and goings, told his tale 70
the civil officials. Mr.. Stetson, VINO hao
suddenly reappeared from no one knew
where, was called into conference; two more
witnesses were examined, and the warrant
was issued without delay.
The presidents story, OF course, neltheI
sharpe, Hazlett nor Lorimer could expect
as vet to hear. Duggan's story they knew;
II was through the police they had hearo
of the strange tale of two employees OF the
college who were later examined. one OF
them had been the first to see the half
hidden and unconscious form that very
morning. The other had heard vehement
aitercation late the previous night. Inc
latter's story had been dragged OUT OF
him 'sbit by Bit" said the officials. for ne
stood self-convicted Of breach OF college
reeuIations that might cost him his place.
He was custodian at the farm stable STU.
dents had once or twice made midnignt
raids: had led away certain mules ana
PREHISTORIC donkey. hitching the former 70
the gate post Of a distinguished sclenust
and stabling the latter at BeerbOhm's door,
step. The professors thus complimented
90 =, M h,,rnor in this unhallOweo and Sug-