Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1906-01-19

"
ed into two portions, the lower con-
tanning drawers and the upper being
shut in with doors, which were fitted
with brass lock and fastening.
1t was old and much scratched, and
had apparently seen considerable use;
but must have been a good article
originally. He took the candle in his
hand and. crossing the room, inspect
ed it closely. There is look about
Unfolding the candle up higher
'as though it might have history
attached to it. 1t looks"-with a sud
den impulse-"as though it might be
trusted to keep secret" He put the
candle upon the mantelpiece close by
and again resumed his burglarious
operations Il shall soon be able to
pass muster as an experienced house
breaker. at this rate" he remarked to
himself, with grim irony. as the lock
turned traitor, and the door, swinging
open, revealed a number of drawers
within, each garnished with lock
and brass handle. Which should he
attack first? Much time had already
been wasted, and at that moment, as
though in answer, tbs clock on the
mantelpiece chimed three, while the
clock in the hall without repeated the
hour after it.
81 will try the third first" he said,
and inserted one of his skeleton keys
into the lock. This drawer-the
third in order from the top-on being
opened showed itself, strangely
enough, to contain three articles, all
of a widely different character.
These were a large and bulky en-
velope, revolver and small bottle
of colorless fuia. The young man
could not repress an exclamation OF
surprise and triumph as his eye fell
upon these.
The secret he had been in search OF
so long lay ready to his hand-the
proofs of the crime were there wait
ing for him to grasp them. He knew
it. and yet hesitated. The shock OF
the discovery seemed to paralyze his
hand, so that for an instant he was
unable to stretch forth and take pos
session of what he believed would
make him master of mans fate.
At last he put out his hand, which
trembled as he did so, and took up the
revolver. 1t was six-chamber revol-
yer. and a glance showed that one
ony of the chambers had been dis
charged.
A fierce. hungry look came over his
face as he noticed this, and, laying the
weapon down, he searched for some
thing which he always carried about
him-the conical shaped bullet which
had been discovered in the stufing OF
the fourth carriage from the engine.
He dropped it into the empty cham
Der, which it fitted exactly.
proof number onei" he said, with
grim Joy, as he felt the dreadful thirst
for blood return upon him with all its
former strength. He laid the revolver
down and took up the small stoppered
bottle. What was this, and what bear
ing had its contents upon the matter!
He removed the stopper and inhaled
the contents carefully. A strong and
unmistakable odor of bitter almonds
greeted him. Prussic acid, beyond
doubt What did this point to? There
seemed to be only one answer pos
sible-Suicidel A means of escape
provided in case of the worst happen
ing. He replaced the stopper and
placed the bottle by the side of the
revolver, while he took up the third
and last article This was the envel-
ope before mentioned. 1t was large
and thick and sealed in no less than
three places. On it, in place of an
address, were written the strange
words: ITO be burned, unopened
after my DEATH ~
To be burned, unopened. afteFny, |
deathl-what did that mea4ied, had /
if it were to be burned, us of writing
he put himself to theelope contained
it? For that thy of the true nara
the comprehension of the strange
tive andne had not the least doubt
tragedy had he described it as the
B4nge tragedy? Cowardly and de
.estable it might well be-but why
strange?
cat any rate. so far from its being
burned unopened" he said, aloud. q
will now myself
He held the letter in one hand and,
with the other he was about to break
he seals. when a voice cried:
"Stopi"
Ito be continued)