The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-15

hidden in the room. or Look through
that Bible. sirs."
The coroner. glad OF an opportunity
to do something, took up the book. and
ran hurriedIy through it's leaves. then
turned it and shock 1t over the table.
Nothing fell out; the bills must be
looked for elsewhere.
''The furniture is scanty," Abel OBJ
served, with an inquiring glance about
him.
Every, very scanty," assented the
BILE, still with that biting re-
morse at his heart There is nothing
in this cupboard" remarked the de-
tective. swinging open a door in the
wall. ''but a set of old china more or
less nicked."
Abel started. An old recollection had
come up; some months ago be had
been present when James had tried to
sell this set. They were all in War
ner's store. and James Zabel-he could
see his easy attitude yet and hear the
offhand tones with which he tried to
carry the thing off-had said, quite as
il he had never thought or 1t beIcre
by the by, l have set of china that
came over in the Mayflower. John
likes it. but it's grown to be an eyesore
to me. and if any Of you hear of any
one wanting such thing send him up
to the cottage. l will let the old thing
go for a song" Nobody answered, and
James had soon disappeared. 1t was
the last time. Abel remembered, that
he had been seen about town.
Il can't stand it," cried the lad. II
til -
l must know it. l am going to take
look at their larder." And before any
one could stop him be dashed to the
rear of the house.
The constable would have liked to
have followed him. but be looked about
the walls of the room instead. John
and James had been fond Of pictures
and had once INDUCED their fancy to
the verge Of extravaganza, but there
were no pictures on the walls now.
nor was there so much as a candle
stick on the empty and dust covered
mantel. Only on bracket in one cor
ner there was a worthless trinket made
out of cloves and beads which had
doubtless been given them by some
country dausel in their young bachelor
days. But nothing Of any value any
where, and Mr.. Fenton felt that he
now knew why they had made so
many visits to Boston at one time and
why they always returned with a
thinner valise than they took away.
He was still dwelling on the thought
Of the depth of misery to which highly
folk can sink without the
Of the nearest neighbors,
when Abel came back looking greatly
troubled.
Its the saddest thing l ever heard
Of" said he. These men must have
been driven wild by misery. This
room is sumptuous in comparison to
the ones at the back: and as for the
pantry. there is not even scrap there
q mouse could eat. | struck match
and glanced into the -four barrel. 1t
looked as if 1t had been licked. l de-
clare it makes a fellow sick"
The constable with a shudder with
drew toward the door.
THE atmosphere here is sitting"
said he. Il must have breath of !,
outdoor air"
But be was not destined to any such
immediate relief AS he moved down |
he doorway and he heard an anxious I
voice exclaim:
"Ah. Mr. Fenton. is that you? l have |
been looking for you everywhere"
1t was Sweetwater. the young man /
who had previously shown so much
lnxiety to be Of service to the coroner.
Mr.. Fenton looked displeased.
"And how come you to find me
lereY he asked.
''Oh, some men saw you take this /
Dad. and l guessed the rest"
"Oh. ali, very good. And what do
you want, SweetwaterY'
The young man, who was glowing
With pride and all alive with an en-
husiasm which he had kept suppress
I'd for hours. slipped up to the con-
raDIe ana whispered In MS ear: Il
ave made a discovery, sir. I know
on will excuse the presumption, but
couldn't bring myself to keep quiet I
nd follow in that other fellows wake.
had to make Investigations on my
wn account. nd-and"-stammeri
n his eagerness-"they have been sue
essful, sir. l have found out who
vas the murderer of Agatha Webb"
The constable. compassionating the
appointment in store for him, shook
is head with a solemn look toward
he room from which he had just
You are late, Sweetwater,"
aid he. 1--WE have found him out our
elves, and he lies inside there, dead"
1t was dark in this narrow passage
ray and Sweetwater's back was to
he moonlight, SO that the blank look
hat must have crossed his face at this
was lost upon the con-
table. But his CONSERVATION was evil
emit from the way he thrust out either
and to steady himself against the
Talls, and Mr.. Fenton was not at all
to hear him stammer out:
Dead! He! Who do you mean by
e. Mr.. Fenton?"
THE man in whose house we now
re-" returned the other. rs there any
ne else who can be suspected of this
rime?"
Sweetwater gave gulp that seemed
, restore him to himself.
There are two men living here. both
cry good men, l thought. Which of
hem do you mean, and why do you
,ipr- fhot aithar Tohp ~ Jar,,aS Zoho1