Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-21

all can about him and his actions in
other ways. BY the time I've done this
| am usually certain that my suspicious
were well-grounded, or that the man Is
entirely innocent"
Il should think you would be-"
But usually end by frightening the
man almost to death, and getting him
fully in my power. If he Is innocent
it harms no one, and is a valuable test
in addition to what has gone before; If
he is guilty, his actions usually show
it, and have him beyond the power Of
injuring or resisting me. Why, Mr.
Barron, when am done with q man to
whom have given the valuable disci-
pline Of such a course as that I am
more certain of the facts in his case
than any so-called intelligent jury
could possibly be after having tried
him according to the law and the evil
dence'-and the lawyers?"
II don't doubt that. But you seem to
have forgotten one thing, one principle
which you yourself laid down a little
time ago."
And what is that?"
THE principal that a man Is likely
to be armed and likely to resist"
Il don't forget that. l disarm him,
and put handcuffs on the individual"
Easily said"
And easily done!"
Prier rose lazily, and laid Mr.. Bar
rons pistol on the counter; he drop
ped his hands leisurely into his pocket;
he sauntered slowly back to Mr.. Bar
rOns side. And then
There were two or three motions too
quick for the eye to follow; and Donald
BarrOns wrists were ornamented with
irons; and ]. B. Prier was looking into
the eyes of the man AS though he would
read his very soul.
To finish my discussion of my usual
plan," said Prier, slowly, taking key
from his pocket and unlocking and re-
moving the handouts. II may say that
never release a guilty man until he
Is in charge Of the authorities"
He paused moment.
Donald Barron" he said, quietly;
I'VE have played out the comedy part
of This affair, and we are ready for Sc
rious work. I have found and taken a
few things-pardon me for declining
just now to say what-which will make
the crime we are to study help toward
the solution Of more important mys-
teries than the theft Of mere money
even though 1t be as large a sum as
two hundred thousand dollars. will
tell you frankly that when we came
down / believed you the guilty man;
fully expected to have had full con-
fession from you before this; but /
know now that you are innocent. Let
us go home; l will be your guest; let
us seek the rest We need; all will be
right in the morning"
In the morning? Perhaps so-some
morningi
They went home together. Prier was
shown to his room. He sat down upon
the edge Of his bed. He took several
articles from his pocket. He opened
his valise, took out sort Of case or
casket which 1t contained, opened it.,
put the articles in, locked the casket,
and placed it carefully in a pocket Of
his overcoat.
"The money matter is simple
enough" he said; Simple enough. The
safe was opened by some one who knew
the combination; it will be easy enough
to examine all who knew it. 1t was
opened by some one who knew the
money could not be used; that is, 1t Is
likely it was, and 1t ought not to be diff
hcult to fix upon the guilty Individual
Before retiring, he took the casket
from his pocket and put in under his
pillow.
He smiley grimly to himself, under
cover Of the dense darkness, and reach
ing up his hand, he caressed the casket
lovingly.
Crime. whatever you may be, there
is light coming! Criminal, whoever
you may be. shudder tonight! Victim,
sleep in peace in the grave you fill! The
senses fall aside; sleep claims dominion
over the brain Of the great detective.
But the grim smile lasts: the sleeping
fingers clasp still closer the precious
casket. And-hark! He speaks! Let
us listen let us catch his sleeping
thought:
"Tll-be-blamed-i
somebody"
To be Continued.