Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-05-15
Beyond All Doubt, He Had Been Muir.
dered.

dered.
early. Presumably the servants were
all out of earshot, preoccupied with
preparations for the meal; while
Sypher and his niece were most prob
ably still dressing.
With an impatient air O'Rourke
turned back to the veranda. A ham,
mock in one corner was swinging idly
in the breeze A number of wicker
armchairs stood about, invitingly fur
nished with cushions. O'Rourke Sc
lected one and disposed himself to
wait.
After five minutes he frowned
thoughtfully and lit cigarette.
Faith, 'tis fine surprise he's CIV
en- me-" he said, irresolute. "But it
can't be premeditated insult. Why
should it be? And they can't all be
out. IT'S sorry am l let that driver
go; more than likely this will be the
wrong house entirely. That must be
the trouble. I'll just go, quietly fold
up me tent and decamp before the in
habitants, II any there be, discover
me and run me off the premises"
But at the head of the steps, with
foot poised to descend, something re-
strained him; 1t would be difficult to
say what, unless it were the unbroken,
steadfast, uncanny quiet "I'll have a
look, he determined suddenly; per
haps !"
He turned to the right and stopped
before a long,. open window, looking
into what seemed to be a music room
and library combined. Brilliantly IL
Illuminated by hanging lamps OF un-
usual brilliancy, the interior was clear
ly revealed. And with an abrupt ex-
clamation the adventurer entered, feel
ing for the revolver, to carry which
had of late become habitual with him.
The room was simply furnished, II
tastefully. There was a grand piano
near the veranda windows with mu-
sic rack and cabinet near by. Dis
persed about the floor were few COM
Portable chairs, a rug Of rare orien-
tai texture, two consoles adorned with
valuable porcelains. In the middle OF
the room stood a draped center-table
Uttered with books and magazines; to-
ward the back long, fattopped desk.
And against the rear wall, ordinarily
hidden by a folding screen OF Japan
ese manufacture, now swept aside.
was q small steel safe. Upon thfs
ORourke's attention was centered.
He remarked that 1t looked new and,
very strong; 1t was open, disclosing
q variety of pigeonholes more or less.
occupied by docketed documents, and
smaller interior strong-box.
Between the desk and the safe man
lay prone and quite motionless. He
was dressed for a ceremonious dinner,
and apparently had been struck down
in the act of stepping from his desk
to the safe. For beyond all doubt he
had been murdered. The haft OF
knife protruded from his back, buried
to its hilt Just beneath his left shoul-
der-blade.
ORourke moved over to the body
and lifted 1t by the shoulders, turn.
ing the face to the light. Then, with
low oath, he dropped 1t.
A small sound, SO slight as to be all
but indistinguishable, penetrated.
O'Rourke's stupefaction. He stood
erect, looking about. telling himself
that the noise resembled as much as
anything the hushed cry of child
sobbing in sleep, soft and infinitely
pathetic. Unable to assign Its source
elsewhere, he attributed 1t to the
stricken man at his feet; and in a des-
perate hope that the pulse Of Life
might still linger ii Sypher's body, he
knelt, withdrew the knife, turned the
corpse upon its back, and laid his ear
to its breast, above the heart. Be-
:
yond dispute. sypher was dead.
poor divvle!" muttered the Irish
man. "The Pool of Flannel
nnAn-cp rvNIT