The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-05-23
HE MADE A SUDDEN PASS AT WERNER.

HE MADE A SUDDEN PASS AT WERNER.
well have occurred in the mind OF any
burglarious visitor that he !,-ould bet
ter screen the window Lis shaded
lamp would indeed prevent Il light from
showing through the glass over the
transom of the door to any watchman
who might pass by night along the
hall, but the glory must shine toward
the window if in the other direction
81 trust You have better evidence
than this" said l.
Every much BETTER" answered Wer-
ner. "Mr. Aston, l will take your lana
now"
"No, | thank you." said Alston, with
sneer
"Ah, you begin to see the trap in
which you are taken" reioined Wcr-
ner You are shrewd sir, but you are
caught Just the same. You cannot take
my mark from your hand"
He turned to me-
Il had observed already said he
this match holder on your desk. be-
lieyed that with match from it onr
burglar lighted his lamp each time tina,
| saw him. Yesterday afternoon | pre-
pared some matches of the same ap-
pearance as these. but burning more
slowly, SO that our friend would have
to hold them longer in his fingers The
wood soaked in caustic solution not
enough to burn the flesh. | wager that
you felt no pain, Mr.. Aston. but your
forefinger and thumb are now discolor
ed with that substance that employed
for the purpose, and short OF sisinnins
them. my dear sir, there's no way to
get it off. Oblige us by showing your
right hand.""
Alston's face, which is very pale at
all times, became white as paper. but
with rage, not fear. He made Il sud
den pass at Werner, who cleyerly
caught his wrist and held it firmly
despite the others efforts. | stepped
forward and took hold of Aiston's
hand. Dull brown stains upon the
thumb and finger revealed beyond pos
sibility Of doubt the action of Ner-
ner's magic.
Eve were here last" said Werner
I'VE came here first this morning. If
this man did not get these stains here
during the night, let him tell where he
did get them.'
This was question without an an
swer. When a mans fingers are stain
ed by a chemical selected by his nd
versary, its name unknown to the vic
tim, a mighty good lie is necessary to
explain the circumstance Aston sur
rendered He admitted that he had
seen the Lassell contract among some
letters taken from an old file box on
the afternoon of its disappearance
When the loss became known to him
he guessed that had accidentally put
away the contract with the letters. bui
he had not been able to find out what
| file box ! had been using. He dared
not ask me lest the question should
convey suggestion to my own mind
and SO, after debating the question
with himself for some time, he had
decided to search all the file boxes. {
most laborious task and one that ht
dared not openly undertake.
! He declared that he had intended Il
! give me the contract when he shoult
find it and depend upon my gratitude
for his reward, but investigation prov
ed that he was in negotiation with til
I.assells The contract was found il
/ the file box, and won my case. TO
! which fortunate event owe deep graf
itude to Lucius Werner. who refuse
to be rewarded, but if ever he or an.
person whom he cares for is in neetl Q
] help will go a long way to render il
Undoubtedly Aston would soon Iav
found the contract and have sold it T
the enemy for a good round sum. Il
legal punishment was attempted, bu
Alstan wrecked his career by thi
treachery and has gone steadily dow
I hill ever since