The Newark journal., 1905-03-24
e easse4Gqutinued from last week)
CHAPTER XVI.

bAGhElJ A1GGSED AS mC014oOD- "Ah, the marshal" said Darrel, re- lieved to find that the officer was one of the first to be drawn to the scene. ''I am glad you have come"
 The marshal pushed farther into the room, followed by his companion
 What's been going on here?"
 .Murgatroyd and I were settling an old score" answered Darrel, pulling his disarranged clothing into shape, but I am glad to say that 1t did not result seriously"
 Where is Murgatroyd now2'
 The officer had peered about the place and had even cast hasty glance into the inner office.
 .I have him-safe," Darrel smiled grimly. Who is this gentleman" he asked, turning to the thick-set man 's with the leather case under his arm.
 That's Doc Payton," replied the be- wildered marshal.
 Not the same gentleman who had charge of the body of Sturgis?"
 "I am the coroner" spoke up Pay ton, and held the inquest"
 Better and better,' said Darrell Naturally, gentlemen, you are euri- ous. You see me follow Murgatroyd upstairs to this place and later you hear sounds of scuffie and come to investigate What you see merely in- creases your curiosity and suspicion. l want to talk with the two of you and beg of you to set a couple of those chairs upright and be seated
 As he finished, Darrel settled him. self comfortably on one corner of the desk. The marshal was inclined to barley on Murgatroyd's account.
 '1 want to understand this thing he began, progressively, and Darrel in- terrupted him with:
 Precisely! The quickest way to un- derstand it is by listening to what l wish to say If anything has gone wrong, am here to be held to ac- count"
 Hes right about that. Merrick." said the doctor. fighting one of the overturned chairs and seating himself in it Let's hear him
 MerricR had an uncomfortable feel ing that matters were strangely wrong, somehow. and he picked up the lamp and stepred apart to survey the other room. He came back directly and again set the lamp on the desk.
 "I don't Ike the looks of things" be grumbled as he sat down, and we seem to be leaving the whole matter 10 you entire pHt I reckon you can fire away"
 Darrel, fearing interruption from the vault. plunged into the subject at once.
 What was the verdict of the cor oner's jury in the Sturgis case, doc- tor?" he asked
 Tt was found that Sturgis met his death by bullet, 45-caliber, fired by one Nathan Darrel. of San Francisco" returned the doctor.
 Were the proofs of Darrel's guilt quite conclusiye?"
 "The jury found them so.'
 But you, in your own mind; were you quite convinced ?"
 II don't recognize your right to ask such a question. l am the coroner and l have repeated to you the iury's yer dict"
 In spite of this Darrel could see plainly that Dr. Payton had an honest doubt.
 What's the use of splittin' hairs?" said the marshal. And what has the murder of Sturgis got to do with your row with Murgatroyd?"
 Just this, MT Merrick," returned Darrel, steadily; "Murgatroyd killed Sturgis-"
 What" exploded Merrick, starting up.
 The doctor was less amazed, al- though not little startled.
 Darrel repeated his words
 Why" exclaimed the marshal, eSturgis and Murgatroyd was friends."
 "Murgatroyd would have no motive" added the doctor.
 "Murgatroyd and Darrel were not friends" said Darrel
 That's no news" came from the marshal. It don't bear on Murga- troyd and Sturgis, anyhow"
 "Yes. 1t does persisted Darrell t.Murgatroyd killed Sturgis in such a way that they would hang Darrel for it
 Preposterous! declared Dr. Pay ton.
 You're a fool. averred the marshal, frankly Do you think Murgatroyd would shoot a friend down in cold blood just for the sake of having Dar- rel hung?"
 Did you ever know Murgaroyd to make play that wasn't cruel, crafty and safer" asked Darrel Hes a snake and would trail his slimy length