The Washington herald., 1921-02-09

murdered. Suspicion at ofpce CEN
tered on Pete Barkell and Ira Plum
worthy who had started out with
him on the fatal hunting trip. But
there were no clues upon the ground
that either the district attorney or
Harvey Hunt, both of whom were
in tho search party, could find TO
inCriminate them. Beyond the fact
that the mans skull had been
crushed by a heavy blunt instru-
ment, probably but not certainly the
butt of a rife, that he had been
struck from behind and had drop
per in his tracks without a strug-
gle. there was nothing to indicate
how the crime had been committed.
Amy marks that had been left by
the camp fire had been swept away
by the heavy rains of the past few
days.
BarkeIl and Plumworthy were
farmers. After the second night
out Barkell had returned to his farm
eleven miles east of the town and
told his neighbOrs he and Plum
worthy had decided to go home, as
there wasn't much game to be
found, but that Charleroi had de-
cided to stick it out alone. Neigh
bors Of Plumworthy, who were in
the search party, declared that
PlumwOrthy's remarks substanti-
ated this. PlumwOrthy lived about
fifteen miles out on the other side
Of the town. Members of the search
party, some of whom were neigh
bOrs of one and some of the other,
said that neither man had left his
farm since then.
This is a case that needs some
care said Harvey Hunt to the dis
trict attorney. Let's go see these
men ourselves"
Yes" agreed the other. It's a
mighty strong circumstantial case
against them. and yet just not quite
strong enough for a conviction
They found Barkell working in
his cornfield.
Hello, Barkell," called the dis
trict attorney as they approached
him. Did you know CharlerCi is
dead?"
Good Lord! No" exclaimed the
farmer, the picture of frank as
tonishment. TT don't seem possl-
BILE. Why, when I left him up there
in the woods he was the picture of
health"
Under the questioning of Harvey
Hunt he had explained how and why
he and Plumworthy had left Charl-
eroi to continue his hunting alone,
and expressed due establishment. to-
gether with a quite natural worry
over the suspicion he said he was
afraid would attach to him. Not
once did he let slip anything to
show that he was not a startled and
innocent man.
Leaving him in charge of a
deputy, Hunt and the district at
torney motored over to Plum
worthy's place. Plumworthy met
them at the door With look Of
mild inquiry.
Did you know CharIeroi's been
murdered on his hunting. trip?" the
district, attorney snapped.
"Goor Lord! No! Why, it don't
seem possible! When Barkell and 1
left him up there in the woods he
was the picture of health. How did
it, happen? Who did it? Did any
body see him alive after Barkell
and left him?"
No" said Harvey Hunt. You
two were the last to see him alive,
or one of you was. Which one of
you left him first?'
I'VE both left together" said
Plumworthy, a look of worried in
nocence coming into his glance. And
he went on to give the details of
that parting, explaining what each
had said and done, substantially
corroborating the statements of
Barkell. Like the latter, he made
no slip of the tongue that would
indicate that his pose of innocence
was assumed. Nor was there any
evidence Of his guilt to be found on
the premises.
We'll, we don't seem to be any
surer than we were before" re-
marked the district attorney when
he was alone with Harvey Hunt. g.,
"On the contrary" replied the
latter decisiveIy. You've got what
virtually amounts to a confession
of guilt from each of them and I
have no doubt it will secure a con-
viction for you together with the
other circumstances"
Can you tell what it was that Harv.v
Hunt construed as virtual confessions Of
guilt
The answer viii appear tomorrow.