Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-10

no matter. I will tell you honestly
however, that I had no doubt coult
prove that you stole Donald Barron!
money-or that you say you did it
(Which amounts to much the sam'
thing"
ITO much the same thing; yes, sir
to much the same thing. But now,
do expect you to sign this, and to sigr
it promptly"
And Prier pushed another someWha
lengthy document across the table t.
Sem.
Sem read it, and could have laughed
for very joy. Compared with the for
mer document it was so simple and 81
trivial. A man who did not quite un.
derstand it might find an excuse fol
putting his name at the bottom OF Sc
innocent and vague a document a'
that; one who knew nothing whatever
of its meaning might find pardon in his
own eyes for writing the lie Of his sig
nature to it.
Only
There is always an "only" or an "if'
or a but" written across the safe and
the simple in temptations path.
Only, the shrewdest, keenest and
most merciless detective in America
wrote it, and he has hung men on
evidence whose beginnings were even
more vague than that. This is the new
confession which Sem was asked tC
sign:
"Boomville, Me-, Nov. 9th, 1870.
"To Whom it May Concern: I, Gill
bert Sem, being pressed to tell the
truth regarding certain matters, do, In
the presence Of Mr.. ]. B. Prier, freely
make the following statements:
Il. l have seen two rings which may
be described as follows:
"(a) One of them is a seal ring;
gold; the setting a heavy white stone
on which are engraved an anchor-a
female head below it-and the letter s
below that.
"Cb) The other is an fashioned
ring, the band Of heavy silver; half OF
the setting, blood-red brittle stone
is gone.
"2. L admit the fact of these rings
having been found by Mr.. Prier under
which justify him in the
that they have been for
many years in my possession.
"3. l shall not deny, under any cir
which may arise, that the
rings mentioned have been in my pos
session."
will you sign that?" asked Prier,
when Sem had finished
his reading.
II will not" answered Sem, unless
I am in some way compelled to do so.'
II shall not try to compel you" said
Prier, gravely, "by the use of any force.
let YOU wrong me, since / knew the
power which sometimes lies in fear by
believing that 1 might kill you. You
have been in no danger; you will be In
no danger if you do not yourself pro-
yoke it by resistance to such authority
as may have. Let me explain: Those
rings were found by me on the floor OF
Donald Barron's bank, near the safe.
They were not there when the bank
closed on Saturday night, for the room
was carefully swept by a boy at the
close of the days work, while you fin
shed your work upon the books. They
we're there the morning after; they
we're there when 1 examined the bank,
for 1 found them and secured them.
Now you may sign the paper 1 have
handed you, or you may let me try TO
prove that you know of these rings
because you were the one who took the
money from Barron's bank. You shall
never have it to say that 1 have been
unfair or underhanded; l have been
frank and straightforward. I have
proved myself a 'talkative detective in
very truth. But 1 am in earnest, des-
perately in earnest, and I tell you, Gill
bert Sem, you have got to go into
court and tell what you know of those
rings"
Suppose I say 1 know nothing of
them?"
You'll have a chance to prove 1T;
4 jury will have an opportunity to
your story with those Of 9TH
er men; twelve men will have an op-
portunity to decide upon its truth or
falsity."
Il know nothing Of other peoples
rings; l never saw your rings"
Sign the paper, or I'll brand you as
4 bank robber."
"On my word Of honor, l know moth
ing"
Bah! The word Of honor Of man
who can do what you have boasted do
ing. You know nothing of the rings
nothing? Do you know nothing of the
murder"
Prier sprang up excitedly He laid
his hand on Senns shoulder. His eyes
fairly blaZed.
DO you know nothing Of the muir
der?" he repeated; nothing? Let me
paint you a picture-a picture such as
you painted me. Listen, man, listen
and look up: An innocent woman,
young and beautiful; see her sleeping
quietly; fearlessly; Gods vengeance on
the man who would disturb her" Sem
groaned. Prier shut his teeth sharply
and savagely together.
"A beautiful picture" continued the
detective: "a very Eden come to earth
again. But see! The serpent. A man
creeps into the room There is crime
written all over his face-crime and
fear Why should he fear? The wo-
man is weak-alOne-defe he is
strong and active. She awakes. He is
a coward. A shot may give alarm and
bring help A knife will leave a mark
where its strength for evil falls, and
he cannot run the risk of detection. He
forces her back upon the bed-he COW
ers her face with her own snow white
pillow: he-he- | cannot go OIL
| cannot bear it"
For Gods sake stop" cried Sem,
excitedly: Il cannot bear it."
Il should certainly think not Gill
bert Sem, l arrest you for the muir
der Of Constance Craig!"
pria,. cnrono npnp him bo N