Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-06-13
CHAPTER X1.

CHAPTER NJ. ...
It was not rest that I required, brt
solitude; and sorely did feel the need
for It. 1t was vitality necessary that
l should Immediately decide whether to
reveal everything or preserve silence
and allow events to take their course
without assistance or Intervention from
me. To debate with myself must be
alone. entered my bedchamber and
locked the door. 1t was my usual habit
when l was mentally troubled to walk
slowly this way and that; the physical
action assisted thought: but on this oc-
casiOn I recognized the necessity OF
keeping still. After arguing with my
self for some time finally arrived at
the conclusion that there was no course
open to me but that Of absolute secrecy
with respect to the ring. Just then my
eyes fell upon the piece Of thin whip
cord, of which l have already made
mention, hanging from beneath the pill
low OF the couch on which l had slept
Tremblingly drew it forth, and ex-
amined 1t. There were marks on it
which, I'm the light of what had oc-
Cured, proved the fell purpose to which
1t had been applied. 1t was just such
a cord, and, indeed. 1t could hardly be
doubted that 1t was the cord. with
which my uncle had been stranGlcd.
Then l knew that l was in deadly
peril.
What the detective had said with ref
crence to it recurred to me word for
word: Third, the cord with which de-
ceased was stranged. That's n triilc.
you'll say. Not at all. Keep 1t about
yOu, and 1t may be found. Burn IT. and
the act may excite attention. Throw
1t away, say in garden or street,
and It may be picked up. Throw it into
the water, and 1t will float. 1t must be
a strong piece of cord with which 1t was
done. 1t must be thin piece. Con-
clusion-whipcord." In the silence l
seemed to hear the damn!ng words.
And the fatal cord itself was in my
hands, and l dared not rid myself of it,
My mind was agitated by whlrling
thoughts. All kinds of hOrrifying pos
sibilities presented themselves. What
II the door were suddenly burst open
by the officers of justice, and / was
found with the ring and the cord In
my possession? What II my wife were
to call to me, urgently desiring to see
me? Outside my bed room window
was tree, from the branches Of which
a person could see into the room.
What II Mr.. MOrtlock, my enemy, were
to climb this tree and peer in? thrust
the cord hastily into my pocket ana
looked in fear ut the window and the
door, and listened with the terror of
man who is being hunted to death. All
was still and silent. Thank God!
There was but one sanctuary for me
secrecy There was but one escape for
me-that Samuel Fleetwood should be
arrested and proved guilty of the crime
One comforting suggestion presented
itself-the missing money. l had 1t
| not, and knew not where 1t was. l de-
termined to convince myself that had
not unconsciously secreted 1t In my
room. Careful and laborl0us was the
search made. left not drawer un-
opened; looked In every possible nook
and corner; l examined every article
of furniture; and l brea thcd prayer
| of thankfulness that searched In
vain. Then finally decided upon my
course of action. / would keep the
ring and the cord about me; not even
to my wife would utter one word
concerning them. When Samuel Fleet
wood was caught should be safe
Until then must play my part anu
pursue my usual way, with dead
weight Of terror in my heart. Making
everything straight in the room, l re-
Joined my family.
Upon the events of the few follow
,, ing days need not dwell at length.
An inquest was held, at which l and
all In my house were examined. The
Jury returned a verdict Of wilful mur'
der against Samuel etwood-against
, the man would have trusted not only
with untold gold, but with my honor
Huu lIlS uODOl VI bhoSS AiAoos ~N>>-
me.
Sad were the days. There was no
talk of the marriage Of Eunlce and
Harry. Mr.. Mortlock left my house,
but remained in the neighborhood. The
! police hunted in vain for Samuel Fleet
wood. In conversation with my wire
we strove to discover n motive for his
crime. He was man whom we had
always thought absolutely careless, al
most scornful, of money. l owed him,
indeed, a sum of more than fifty
pounds for wages, which, when l had
spoken to him about it, he had begged
me to retain until he had use for 1T.
/ He had no one dependent upon him.
! He bore no grudge against the MUIR
dered man. What, then, could have
been his motive?
CTo be Continued)
Knew What Hc Was Talking About.