Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-04-07
CHAPTER XVI.

t. Boomville on purpose to think
For some reason, possibly on the prin-
ciple that one usually finds that OF
which he earnestly goes in search, this
gentleman was finding plenty of things
To think about.
He went to the hotel He shut him
self up in his room. He took a little
book from his pocket. He took his pen
He drew his ink toward him.
"One may as well write the results
of such an interview as that while his
memory is fresh" he said. retiectively
and change on modify his opinions
afterWard If the necessity arises"
He bent over his book He headed
a page as follows:
Results of my Interview With kew
John Kane, Being the Questions
ask Myself and the Answers ! Give
Did John Kane have any guilty
knowledge of the death of Constance
Craig? No, 1 am sure he did not
Did he learn of Aldrich's engagement
in any strange and mysterious way:
Probably not; it is more likely, con-
Blankford. considering the retired
life Constance led, considering the
naturally secretive habits of lawyer
considering everything, that only a
limited number knew of his engage
ment and that it was never subject
for general gossip and discussion. But
l cannot think that it was ever Sc
cret-ever after any one knew OF II
besides themSelVeS-in the sense IN
which we usually use the word Sc
cret:' l cannot think that his visits Ia
her were concealed and private. And
so. l suppose Mr.. Kane learned of this
engagement in some perfectly natural
and legitimate manner.
WAS John Kane the only one, be-
sides the two most interested, who
knew of the fact that the lovers had
made up their quarrel? | think not
Everything considered. it was. per-
haps. marvellous that they had madG
up their misunderstanding, but
know of no reason why it may not
have been known that they had
known to several, possibly to many.
Has John Kane been perfectly
frank and honest with me? l think
he has.
Has John Kane kept back any
thing 1 should know? / think he has
not.
HAS MS lllIOTuldllOl DSCll N'iiNN'
and accurate? Unless he has been
misled himself. I think it has.
rs John Kane my friend and we'll
wisher? 1 think so.
Has he q firm opinion that Gilbert
Sem is guilty?
II believe he has-an opinion which
il will be almost impossible to shake
Has he any personal reason for
wishing Gilbert Sem punished?
could he have?
What is his reason for thinking
that Sem is guilty?
His opinion that Matilda Webb
was absent two nights. undoubtedly
And l confess that if she were so alb
sent il would make the case against
Sem about as black as ever circum-
stantial evidence made a case yet.
WAS she absent two nights?
don't know. | must ask her. l will
Did Kane write the anonymous
letter? l think not. I fear it would
destroy all my remaining faith in hu-
man nature if found he did. But
will examine l will satisfy myself.
will know.
IF he didn't write it-why was his
language as it was? Were the eX-
pressions and questions so natural
that one could not help using them
When I find another and another ana
anOther-if I ever do who know
something of the horrible event | am
irving to trace to its guilty author,
shall I hear this same series of queS-
tions again and again and again?
Il do not know; l cannot answer;
I shall not try to answer. All this Is
beyond my powers. 1t lies so iar out
side the beaten tracks Of the domain
of Psychology, so far under the dark
clouds which vail the unknown, so tal
from the natural. so near the super
natural. that l shall not attempt 10
even guess.
Mr. Prier closed his book. He put II
in his pocket. He leaned wearily back
in his chair Short as had been what
he had written, it had taken long tC
write il. Weak, illogical, poorly ar
ranged-full of grOundless opinions
and baseleSS beliefS-tainted witt
doubt that, once fully expressed
would have been doubt of man and his
honesty. of God and His providence
shadowed with a superstition which
would close certain avenues to know
ledge with the command Ask not
he had yet done his best.
His best, God help him, and all OF
MS, His best. Mans best. Our best
The summary of life; the record o.
ruin: the confession Of confusion; the
finale of failure.
..'rhere is one thing I'd like Il
know" said Mr.. Prier, as he CLOSED
his ink-b bottle and put away his pen
CYes. Mr.. Prier think there is.
Though, of course. it hasn't any
thing to do with this case"
CHaSn't it? Has any event, any
where. nothing in common with an!
other which one can mention? Doe:
not the stone. thrown into the SHIN
mering waters of the tropic sea, unde
vertical rays of the burning sun, sti
the icy flood which rolls reStleSSly t
and fro. fretting its crystal walls anC
barriers. in the frozen night where th'
role star shines in the zenith for ever
Nothing to do with this case? Moth
ingo All. Prier. Prier! Would yol
limit the range of human passion
Would YOU bound the omnipotence o
GOd0
I'd like to know where John Kan'
met that female fiend. I-urline Ban
hottie"
(Yes think you wouldD
1t would he as we'll To know how
much or how little such woman a
she is to such a man as he
CYes. it would. Yes. Mr.. J. B. Priel
YOU are rightD
I'D like to know where she has beer
these many. many years since she slip
ped away from justice and disappeared
utterly"
(Would you? How long is it sine
YOU walked by her side up the path
side by side with her. to see Elsie SEM
the sOlrOwing made from the sweet
ness of Elsie Barron? How long is
since she lived here, where you passe'
her vailed figure every day? How