The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-08-24

as killed Rags because he made too
much noise; but, by Heavenl | had
no intention to kill the old man, and
| certainly would never have allowed
my brother to suffer seriously under
an unjust accusation. | firmly be-
lieved that justice could not miscarry;
and while / thought that you were
sharp enough to save him, ] also reck-
shield myself from every side"
He paused a moment and then
continued, just like man who for a
long time has been burdened with a
secret and is suddenly made almost
happy by confiding it to a stranger.
~ had had many losses on the
turf" he said, "and had made my
losses good by defrauding our firm.
1t was long and laborious plan, very
carefully laid; but was always clever
with my pen, and my brothers sigma
ture and Whadcoat's writing were easy
enough to initiate Then, one day,
i found an old uniform in the cellar
at the office-my father used to keep a
commissionaire when he had the bust
ness. 1t was about my size and gave
me the idea for the disguise. II
all worked right, and / knew that 4
could make my defalcatiOns good at
the bank very soon. 1t was positive
thunderbolt to me when, on the Tues
day morning, received letter from
old Whadcoat telling me that he was
coming over to Saltashe that afternoon
to see M. de Kerhoet and myself about
q terrible discovery which he had Just
made. knew that he would walk
through the woods, and | found him
sitting near the pond, smoking, alone
l only meant to persuade him to hold
his tongue and say nothing to M. dc
Kerhoet for the present But he was
obstinate; he guessed that | wa:
guilty; he threatened me with dis
closure, like the fool he was, and
had to kill HMM self-defense.
Somehow, although he undoubtedly
was great criminal, | could not hell
sympathizing with this man. TIT
beautiful house we were in, all The
luxury and comfort with which he
was outwardly surrounded, seemed
such terribly mockery beside the mora
tortures he must have endured. was
quite glad when he had finished speak
ing, and Skin o. My Tooth was able
presently to take his leave.
Only few hours later, the evening
papers were full of the sensational suicide
of Mr.. Kelly in his library at Saltash'
Park. Almost at the same time tina
this astonishing news was published
in the press, the authorities at Scotland
Yard had received a written comics
sion, signed by Mr., Kelly, in which h,
confessed to having caused the dealt
of Mr.. jeremiah Whadcoat in Saltash'
Woods, by the accidental discharge o
his gun.
A little frightened at first of an.
complications that might arise. h
had said nothing about the accident
at the time; then, when his own brothe
became implicated in the tragedy, an'
he felt how terrible his own position
would be if he now made tardy con
fession, the matter began to prey upol
his mind until it became so unhinge,
that he sought in death solace from hi
mental agony.
"That man was genius" was Ski
O. My Tooth's comment upon thu
confession. "Strange that he shout
have lost his nerve at the last, for
feel sure that the crime would neve
have been brought absolutely home t
him; at any rate, | could always hav
got him off. What do you thlnl
Muggins2"
And l quite agreed with Skin o M
Tooth.