Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1920-07-30

mouth half open.
you're from New York; ever hear
Of the Cavendish murderw
"Only saw a paragraph In the Chi
cago papers. It wasn't my case. and
the only thing that interested me was
that the name happened to be the
same as assumed by the man was fol-
lowing-why"
Because this gentleman here Is
Frederick Cavendish, who was report
ed as killed-struck down In his apart
ments on the night Of April 10. Instead
he took the midnight flyer West and
you followed him. The dead man was
Tom Burke; wait a minute and I'll tell
you the story-all know Of 1t, at
least"
He told 1t rapidly, yet emitting no
detail Of any interest. The two de-
tectives, already half convinced Of
their mistake, listened fascinated to
the strange narrative; 1t was tale Of
crime peculiarly attractive to their
minds; they could picture each scene
In all Its colors Of reality. AS the
speaker ended, Roberts drew In his
breath sharply.
"But who slugged Burke?" he asked.
"The fellow went In there after swag;
but who got himT
"That is one question can't an
swer," replied WestcOtt gravely, "and
neither can Fred. 1t doesn't seem to
accord with the rest Of our theories.
Enright told Lacy he didn't know who
the dead man was. or who killed him."
Miss Donovan pushed ner way In
front Of Cavendish, and faced the 9TH
ers, her cheeks flushed with excite
ment, paper clasped In one hand.
perhaps l can help clear that up"
she said clearly. "This Is the letter
found under Miss La Rue's bed. have
read part Of 1t. 1t was written by Jack
Cavendish just as he was taking boat
for South America. 1t Is not confess
siOn," she explained, her eyes search
Ing their faces, "just frightened boys
letter, ] wouldn't understand 1t at all
If l didn't know So much about the
case. What II seems to make clear Ia
this: The La Rue girl and Patrick En-
right schemed to get possession Of the
Cavendish property through her mar.
riage to John; this part Of the pro-
gram worked out fairly well, but John
could not get hold Of enough money to
satisfy them.
"Enright and the girl decided to put
frederick out Of the way, but lacked
he nerve to commit murder-at least
n New York. Their scheme seems
% have been to inveigle their victim
away from the city, and then help him
% get killed through an accident. In
hat case the law would award the en-.
ire estate to John. They never told
John this plan, but their constant de-
hands for money fairly drove the
roung man to desperation.
"The making of the will, and the
sudden proposed departure Of Fred
erick for the west. compelled immedi-
lte action, yet even then John was
Kept largely In the dark as to what
hey proposed doing. All lie knew was
hat Frederick had made a will dis
nheriting him; that he left the Col
ege club with this document In his
pocket, and intended later to take
night train"
She paused, turning the letter over
in her hands, and the men seemed to
lraw closer in the intensity of their in
terest
"Some Of what say learned from
this letter." she went on quietly, "and
some I merely deduce from the CIR
cumstances. I believe the boy went
home half mad, his only thought be-
ing TO destroy that will. In this state
Of mind, and fortified by drink, he
stole later into Frederick's apartments.
I don't believe the boy actually intend
ed to murder his cousin, but he did In
tend to stun him with blow from be-
hind, seize the paper, and escape IN
seen. It was wild, hare-brained
project, but he was only boy, half
drunk, worked into frenzy by Celeste
La Rue He got into the rOom-prob-
ably through the bath room window
unobserved, but after Frederick had
departed. This other man-Burke-
was then at the table, running through
the papers he had taken from the
safe, to see II any were Of value. John,
convinced the man was his cousin,
stole up behind him and struck him
down. He had no idea Of the force OF
the blow delivered, and may even have
left the apartment without realizing
that the blow had been a fatal one.
Afterward there was nothing to do.
but keep still, and lot matters take
their own course"
"And what happened thenT
NATURALLY this: the La Rue wom-
an wormed the truth out Of him, and
told EnrIght. From that moment the
boy was entirely In their hands. While
they remained in New York they
helped him keep his nerve, but as soon
as ne was left alone. he went entirely
to pieces. He was no criminal, merely
a victim Of circumstances. At last
something happened to brighten him
into flight"
The four men Strengthened up as her
vo,ca caaeed sneaking. Then Roberts