Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-06
Through Day to Night Again.
Bv CLARENCE BoUTELLE.
CHAPTER VII.

Through Day to Night Again.
Strange things happen in this world
Some cynical philosopher has said that
that is because there are women in It.
l think him a pessimist, and his words
quite unworthy of attention in an age
in which optimism has done every
thing, while pessimism has dolefully
growled about 1t ALL
Still, strange things do happen
Strange things took place on the eighth
day of November, eighteen hundred and
seventy, and the cause was feminine no
less q woman than Mrs. Gilbert Sem,
nee Elsie Barron, being responsible for
some remarkable complications, some
very remarkable complications-unle
indeed, a careful examination OF the
whole matter would enable one to place
some of the responsibility on the shoul-
ders Of Miss Lurline Bannottie.
The first strange event Of that day
which 1 have to record is an early
morning call made by Mr.. Prier upon
Mr.. Sem. A call upon him might not
have been very remarkable thing,
when one considers Prier's profession
and Senn's recent past; a friendly call
even a call with friendliness as pre-
tense-was somewhat strange-was
more than merely strange-was as
founding.
Sem, used to banking hours, and un-
70
OF day he had every reason to expect.
was not yet dressed when Priers name
was brought up to him. He was near
IL ready for the work of the day, how
ever, and not willing to delay whatever
business Prier might have on hand; he
accordingly directed the boy to show
him up at once. A shadow crossed his
face when the boy had gone and left
him alone; the thought that the detec-
tive might have his arrest on hand for
his morning business came to him, and
it was not a pleasant one.
Suppose a man has sold honor and
integrity-suppose the caSe-for det-
mite price, should one wonder at
shadow on his face if payment failed
in some particular?
A tap at the door.
Come in."
The door opened.
Good morning, Senn," said Prier.
His tone was cordial, conciliatory, re-
assuring.
Good morning, Mr.. Prier."
I've got bad news, Semi"
Yes what is it?"
Donald Barron Is dead "'
Donald Barron dead? Where? When?
How?"
The color was falling away from Gill
bert Senn's face. as you may have seen
the bright hue Of some chemical So
luton change and fade under the in
fluence of some other chemical whic
was being poured down through IT,.
The news of Donald Barron's death
was falling heavily into and through
Gilbert Senn's hopes and plans and
purposes, robbing life of much which
it had held, robbing it of more than he
himself quite understood as yet-of-
more than any other must be allowed
to even guess. No wonder the color in
his face faded-faded-fade
He was founud dead in his bed this
morning"
"Dead-in-his-bed Merciful God!
Murdered?"
The detective watched Sem narrow
ly. The color was all gone from the
cashiers face now, leaving it like ashes
Prier did not answer Immediately
When he did he said, quietly:
The doctor calls it heart-disease, 1
believe"
"Ah?"
Only one word, half exclamation and
half question, and the color coming
back into the speakers face.
But doctors are mistaken. some
times" said Prier, and watched grimly
to see how white Sem became again.
You were in the house last night?'
asked Sem.
No"
Indeed? 1 did not know you had
been at the hotel at all. You are done
with Mr.. Bar that is, done with the
case. 1 presume?'
With the bank robbery: yes"
Il meant that"
But you know that crime is a
strange thing; that is, perhaps you
know it,"
Prier paused. Sem flushed hotly un-
der the cruel thrust. but made no an
swer.
Prier continued:
Crime is a strange thing: discover
one guilty one. and you often find a
clew which helps 10 bring others to
Justice: like virtuOus actions, which re-
peat themselves in a thousand forms,
so crime moves in circles. l have found
one point in a circle; l shall follow the
long curved line until it brings me
back. again. to the robbery Of Donald
BarrOn's bank in the little city of
Boomville. Do you wonder at that"
He looked squarely into Gilbert
Senn's eyes. Gilbert Sem looked
squarely back at him.
II do not wonder at that" the cash
ier replied. nor do l blame you. Con-
viction is often injustice. and punish
ment often outrage. But your intent
is natural. l think it commendable."
Thank YOU" said the detective, dry
~.
Sem flushed again. Possibly he had
forgotten for minute that he had
made his confession in Prier's presence
He was very anxious to learn more re-
garding Mr.. BarrOn's death, and Prier
had deliberately led the conversation
away. Sem asked himself if Prier
had some hidden purpose in doing as
he had done: he resolved to push his
questions. If he must. until he knew AL
that could be known.
Who brought word to you at the
hOtel?" he asked: and when"
The detective moved q little uneaSily