Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 11 October 1895 — Page 7

By EDMUND DOWNEY,

Author of "A House of Tears," Post Park," Etc

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[Copyright, 1804, by Tillotaoa & Son.)

When 18 was readied, the jurymen first inspected it from the outside, to the intense delight of a throng of noisy urchins. Some of them—those who did not believe Vickery's story was quite a correct statement of facts—pnrnrninc^ the forecourt for footmarks or other evidences of a'midnight incursion. A few of them wbo could not relieve themselves of a uuspician concerning SteinWorth carefully examined the window of the front parlor and had a good look from the outside, at the window of Stein worth'B room, but they derived little benefit bam their inspection, and *t length felt obliged to ask themselves tho obvious question, What motive, other than the pricking,of conscience, oould any sane man have in fixing a halter round his neck?

When the jury got inside the house, Inspector Briggs gave tljem a short lecture on the parlor window, explaining briefly Detective Goringe's views as to the marts on the sashes of the window. Then the room wh6re Mrs. Davorn had met her death was explored and then the landing on which Steinworth's and Vickery's doors opened.

The principal question agitating Binds of the jurymen was the question of the looked doors. It was easy to see, as the inspector pointed out, that it would be impossible for any one inside either of the two rooms to lock his door. There was no keyhole inside the door -—nothing but the rectangular brass box which projected about half an inch from the door itself into which it was set.

One of the jurymen suggested that it was possible the whole lock could be taken to pieces from the inside and put together again. "A very good suggestion," said the inspector, "and one I mentioned to Detective Goringe, but with the assistance of a locksmith we Jiad the locks examined and found that they are both screwed into the door, and that the screws are all on the outside. Therefore it would be just as impossible tosoT.ithe locks on as to turn the keys in them —rfrom the inside. I,think, gentlemen, you may safely make up your minds on one /point—that the doors were locked from the outside. The locksmith who examined them with us isquite positive that the locks have not been disturbed far years.' |j

The foreman seemed more perplexed than-ever, as with his hand to his chin he g&zed at the shining brass box on the inside of Steinworth's door.' He suggested to the inspector that there might possibly be some means of tampering with the lock from the inside, and that ho would be glad to be looked in the bedroom for a few moments. Inspector Briggs smilingly complied with the foreman's request, explaining to the rest of the jury, some of whom stood on the landing, while others were peering into Vickery's bedroom, that this was how the door was found by Constable Metcalf on the morning of the murder.

In a few minutes the inquisitive foreman begged to have the door opened and confessed with much chagrin that he could discover nothing—that it was perfectly evident to him now that Inspector Briggs was right, and that, the door could only have been locked from the- outside. "Which points to an accomplice," sapiently observed the foreman, smackinghis lips.

The jury next examined, one after the other, the window of Steih Worth's bedroom and saw that the flower box outside the window, as well as the plants in it* was undisturbed, and that it would

With Ms hand to Ms chin he-gazed on the shining brass box. be perfectly impossible for any one to have gone in orout of the window without leaving behind him. traces which oonld not possibly be obliterated in the course of a few hours.

Vickery's room was next examined, add then the jury mounted. to the second floor and surveyed Miss Rodney's room and a small boxroom which adjoined it

Jil the end the 15 men were obliged tot admit that there was nothing far' it but to accept Vickery's confession, and be satisfied with a solution of the mystqry/of the l9oked doors which Inspector Briggs offered Ubem, namely, that it wps quite possible—though he insisted ha .did not urge it as a theory or fe bel&ljjf his own-7-some one had entered the nouse after the murder, or was concealed in the house all night, and had seciQad the. 4pors in order to give himself ample time to carry out some plan, the nature of which was not yet known. •"Of course," added the inspector, "your business, gentlemen, is concerned with nothing but the murder of Mrs. Davorn. I have no desire to confuse you with! secondary matters.",

The 15 jurymen left the house thoroughly discomfited. Their visit had taught them little or nothing. There was no mystery in the case which had not' been cleared up by Vickery's confession. The mystery of the stolen money did not concern them. It was a matter for thn a

Having made up tneir minas so iar the jury and its guardians sought out a decent restaurant and there discussed a liberal meal

When the court was reopened at 8 o'clock the coroner, who seemed to have got rid of a good deal of his weariness, informed the jury that Dr. Percival was now in attendance, and would at once proceed to give his evidence.

Dr. Stanley Percival was then called, and approached the table, where the oath was administered to him. He gave his evidence rapidly and with ease, his kindly face lighted up with a look of intelligence which made the jury to a man feel they were listening to the evidence of one in whom they could place implicit confidence.

Dr. Percival testified to his having been summoned to 18 Felspar road shortly after 6 o'clock in the morning by Miss Rodney to his finding Mrs. Davorn dead in bed—quite oold and rigid, explained the doctor and to hi» subsequent disoovery of the sponge under the bed.

He was here interrupted by the fore-

Can you tell us, sir, at what timeabout what time—in your opinion, the soonoe had been used to ohkraform the deoeased?"

The doctor smiled at the question, the ooroner looked up from Ids notes, directing a curious glance at the foreman, and the foreman himself instantly collapsed "I can give you no information on that point," said Dr. PercivaL "All I iten say is that the sponge contained unmistakable traces of chloroform—traces that would be apparent to any one who had ever used the drug. There was in the room, as I entered it, the sweet, fruity, seductive odor, and to the best of my belief, judging from this and from the condition of the sponge when I picked it up, the sponge had contained chloroform in a highly volatile condition an hour or two previous to my discovery of it." "I am afraid, doctor, you have very nearly allowed yourself to be drawn into a dissertation on the nature and properties of chloroform," said the handsome coroner, smiling blandly. "Ton mean to suggest, I tfririlr, that the chloroform had been introduced into the deceased's bedroom between the hours of 4 and 6 o'clock on the morning of the 10th Of October?" "Exactly, sir." "Well, doctor, proceed, if you please." "I formulated an opinion at the time I was in the deceased's bedroom on Thursday morning," continued the witness promptly, "that Mrs. Davorn had not succumbed to the effects of chloroform in any shape."

A quick thrill of excitement ran through. the court at this statement. Even the ennui ed coroner looked up from his desk and gazed in astonishment at Dr. PercivaL

Behind his sheltering pillar Detective Goringe smiled.

CHAPTER XVTL STEINWORTH IS ANXIOUS.

Albert Steinworth was visibly affected by Dr. Percival's evidence. His former nonchalance had disappeared, and he listened with breathless attention to the doctor's evidence concerning the chloroform.

Vickery, who had been seated at the back of the court after it had reassembled, had pushed his way forward when he heard Dr. Percival make his opening statement. When the witness gave it as his emphatic opinion that Mrs. Davorn had not succumbed to the effects of chloroform, a low cry escaped from him, a cry which might have been produced by overwhelming amazement or might have been a cry of intense relief.

Maurice Leclerc seemed hopelessly puzzled as he stood in the court listening to the evidence of his friend. Just as the court adjourned for luncheon Dr. Percival had appeared in the small room Where Inspector Briggs had directed Ethel Rodney to sit. Lcclerc was with her when Percival—profuse in his apologies to every one for being late-—ar-rived. The worthy doctor somewhat flurriedly dispatched Ethel home in his brougham and then turned to Leclerc. "I think it will be all right," said he, pinching the young-doctor's arm. "And now I'm hungry, and I am sure yon are. Let us forget the unfortunate business we are here to give evidence about and join our common friend, the house surgeon, in the-hospitaL He has promised me a luncheon, and I'll take the liberty of inviting you to join us. But not a word about the other affair, if you please. Norton is going to give 'evidence too. He conducted the .post mortem with ma

Leclerc was fortunately not aware that among other documents which Inspector Briggs carried with him was a warrant for his arrest, a.warrant which the inspector had decided to put into opieration as soon as the court was over for the day. When Inspector Briggs heard theoonfession of Bernard Vickery, he was puzzled to decide whether or no he had better abandon two of the three warrants he held. As he listened to Dr.' Percival's evidence heM an uneasy feeling- that the third warrant was in jeopardy. It was a bewildering case He would give a good deal to know what was Goringe's opinion of the whole matter. But anyhow the self condemned man had better be put under lock and key. lr. Percival did not take long to resume the thread of his narrative He knew he had electrified the court, .but his face showed no sense of triumph. "My impression," he continued, in a calm and measured tone, "that Mrs. Davorn had not dieid from the effects of chloroform was based upon mqre than one assumption. But I felt that an impression so hastily formed wanted very strong corroboration, under the circumstances. I have obtained that corroboration. With the valuable assistance of Surgeon Norton I have made a post mortem examination of the deceased, and I have arrived at the conclusion that she met her death through natural causes. The exact cause of death, in fact, was apoplexy. I think I may venture upon

Albert Stetmoorth was seen to throw up his arms. the opinion that it was a sudden and unexpected seizure, which probably occurred between the hours of midnight on the 9th off October and 8 o'clock an the maniingof the 10th."

There was a profound stillness in the court as Dr. Percival delivered himself of his opinion as to the exact cause of Mrs. Davorn's death.

The coroner was the first to speak. "Then, your opinion, doctor," he said, "is that this chloroform had nothing to do with the death of the deceased, Martha Davorn?" "That is certainly my opinion."

"And your inference Is that if chloroform was administered it must have been administered after death?" "That is my opinion, if I may venture on an opinion in such matters." "We shall now let you have the evidence of Dr. Norton, who assisted Dr. Percival in the post mortem," said the ooroner, with a briskness which almost alarmed the 15 jurymen.

The coroner had scarcely concluded his sentence when a strange hoarse cry startled the court.

Every eye was turned in the direction from which the cry came. Albert Steinworth was seen to throw up his arms, and before. Constable Metcalf, who stood near, could grasp the young man, Steinworth had fallen down in a fit

Detective Goringe smiled again.

CHAPTER XVIIL INSPECTOR BRIGGS' JOKE.

"Here's a pretty kettle of fish I" Inspector Briggs to Detective Goringe, as the pair sat in a room in the police station at Clayfields.

It was the evening of the 12th of October, and the coroner's inquiry had been adjourned to the following oMonday. "Vickery confesses to murder," growled the inspector "doctor swears the woman died a natural death. Steinworth, whom I had fixed upon, clears himself completely, yet he falls down in a fit when he hears that the chloroform was administered a little too late. Leclerc seems to be out of it altogether, and yet all through he has been as nervous as a cat Come, now, Mr. Goringe, it is only fair to ask you for your views at this stage. Whatever we do, we mustn't get hold of the wrong sow by the ear." "I don't think it is so very difficult," said the detective, "to reconcile Vickery's confession with the doctor's statements as to the absolnte cause of death. But as I have frequently told you I don't deal in opinions. I still possess an open mind on the case, so far as it is concerned with the lady's death. Don't you see now how rash it would have been to fix upon any one so early in the day—before we had the medical evidence?" "I admire your gift of being able to keep yourself and your views so well in hand, said Inspector Briggs, with a somewhat sour smile. "I have no doubt I see how you mean to reconcile the man Vickery's statement with the doctor's as to the cause of death. In fact, old Percival himself ventures on an opinion in the matter. Vickery could have attempted to chloroform Mrs. D. ait the time he stated, only he was in ignorance of a rather important fact— namely, that he was operating on a dead body.'"

•'Exactly "P

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"But then we get back to those locked doors, and- that's what fixes me and confuses the whole Isasiness, for I am wholly of your opinion"— "Please don't tie me down to opinions," interrupted Goringe. "Well, of your convic£on, if you like the word better, that no outside aid was brought into'requisition." "Dear me, dear me!" said the detective, with a sigh.. "Is it not a dreadful thing to contemplate how a man's words may get distorted? I have neve? declared I possessed any such conviction. What I did

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was that the front par­

lor window was not opened from the outside." "I stand corrected," said Inspector Brigga ''But I must confess you don't help me much." ,, "I give you all the help I possibly can. lb the first place, remember our bargain. I was to have the.thief—you the murderer. Nowhaven'tl done my very best to keep you from jumping to conclusions? -I consider I have': done really gfcod and useful work in that di-, reotion. I have made you cautious and prevented you from- arresting an innocent man. At the kune time—don't look' so glum, inspector—I am ready now to listen to aiiy new views of yours, with the new light that has been thrown upon .the whole case, and to riianptyi them with you openly." "Thanks. Well, then, here are three men in desperate need of money"— "No uncommon want," interrupted the detective. "But you will pardon me for saying that you are not quite correct Steinworth probably wanted money. Vickery, with some insane project in his head, thought he did. Leclerc doesn't know what-' ho wants. He belongs to that order of young man who, if you fetched the moon for him at his own

request, would tell you the planet was worn out and of no use, and that the farthest fixed star was really the thing which no thought wouia suit ms requirements. But I interrupted you." "A useful interruption, perhaps, but, as usual, a sort of a damper. Well, whatever you may think, or say, or advise, I will confess that I have not been able to shift my first impression out of my head." "Your first suspicion was Steinworth." "Yes. And his behavior in court today, notwithstanding Vickery's candid confession and the doctor's evidence, has confirmed me in my impression that he knows something." "Possibly he may. But it is also possible that he is subject to fainting fits, and the fit he had in court this afternoon may have been absolutely unconnected with anything that ever happened at 18 Felspar road." "The damper again." "No—the brake, or the caution signal, if you like People of our cloth must learn to work on the block system with a continuous brake." "I think you puule me quite as much as the case itself. But let me resume. Steinworth was certainly looked into his room at 0 o'clock in the morning, and did not get in or out of his bedroom window. Vickery was also locked into his room at 6 o'clock in the morning. Yet his statement—which was a most clear and straightforward and convincing statement—is that he attempted to chloroform Mrs. D. and that he stole the £1,800. He did i..c get in or out of his bedroom that night." "On that point I admit I now have a conviction. Vickery did not get in or out through his window." "Then you think it possible that Vickery, for some reason which we can't fathom, has falsely accused himself. There is conclusive evidence that his sponge—he identifies it—was discovered in the dead woman's room. I am forced to admit that fact is very strong corroboration of his confession, and yet I am still of opinion that if Steinworth didn't do the job he knows who did." "I was about to give you my views definitely on that point wnen we started, but I now think I shall wait It will be better for both of us." "I am afraidwe are waiting rather long as it is. Losing valuable time." "lam not losing anytime I have concentrated my whole attention on tho discovery of the thief and. the recovery of the money, and though I.cannot at-

Dctectivc Goringe rose and lit his pipe. this stage report any progress which would satisfy so exacting a person as you, inspector, I know I am neither losing time nor making any steps backward.?' "Then you have some definite theory about the theft?" "I have But it is not in a form yet which will bear discussion. If I put you in possession of my theory"— "I thought you didn't deal in such things," interrupted Inspector Briggs, smiling. "I don't put my theories into 6hape until I am certain they are capable of demonstration. As I was saying, if I laid my mind open to you now it might possibly hamper you in your search for the murderer." "Anyhow you*will pardon me for correcting you. There has been no murder, and therefore there is no murderer to unearth." "You need not be so preciso about your terms with a pal," said Goringe, a little nettled at Briggs' interruption. "I should, of course, have said your search for the man who attempted to murder Mrs. Davorn." "But there is neither a murder nor an attempt to murder. It is a relief to find you tripping," observed Briggs with a laugh. "You mustn't let the absence of a murder discourage yon,'' said Goringe. "I know it is an unpleasant thing to find out that a murderer has been rudely snatched from your grasp just as you felt you had the barnacles on him, but you must bear in mind that if a thief in the act of committing a theft seeks ,to chloroform a person who is afterward proved to have died a natural death he aggravates his offense very considerably and rises to a somewhat high rank in our, criminal brigade Didn't I warn you in the beginning that this murder btpiness was full .of pitfalls?'' "The warning hasn't helped me much," said Inspiectof Briggs, gloomily. "Base ingratitude/sir," said Detective Goringe, with a gigh. "Isympathize with yon,. I am. sure. I know the stateofyourfeelings pow. Something like the'French ideal of an Engliahmiip '-'—one who' wants' to go out and kill' something. You are eager now to go out and arrest somebody for murder. All this disappointment comes of taking a violent interest in people who commit capital offenses—a class of people upon whom it. is difficult to place the least dependence. My lesser delights in tracking thieves—who are usually as sane as company promoters—have, after all, their corresponding advantages. Whatever you do, inspector, please don't lose your temper with me.'' "I'll try not to—but this isn't any time for chaff. Wo shall get into a regular stow here if wo don't look sharp. Here is Vickerv arrested on his own con­

fession, which he sticks to. And. here are Steinworth and tho young medical, both at large, with no protecting eye upon them. Now if none of these is really connected with the job we're in a thundering mess, and if the two men at large, or either of them, prove to be mixed up with the affair, and if either or both of them hook it right away, we'll fall in for sovere censure." "Are they aware your lynx eye is not directed upon them?''

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"I suppose they are "Have you no lingering suspicion now of Leclerc? He was a prime favorite with you for a short time "Just a trifle," said the inspector. "If Steinworth and Vickery are out of it he would still, to my suspicious mind—that is, if the robbery business hadn't been handed over to you—stand a good chance of being run in." "Miss Rodqpy, of course, being in your suspicious mind the accomplice— the locker of the doors, and so-farth?" observed Goringe, glancing fixedly at the finger nails, of his left hand. "Well, yes," said the inspector, after a pause "The young man

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be all eyes and ears for Dr. Percival's evidence But tell me one things—did you know from the beginning-that Mrs. D. wasn^ killed by the chloroform?" "I inferred from a conversation I had with Dr. Percival that he had other •tows." "And with that knowledge—for, of Bourse, you won't allow me to call it anything else—do tyou think you were luite candid with me?" "Quite I acted as I thought best I told you not to be quite snre it was chloroform. If you had known positively from the start that Mrs. Davorn died a natural death you would have lost all interest in the case If you confined yourself to the tracking of the thief you would have perplexed me. I own I am the essence of selfishness. But come, don't lose heart. The coroner's inquiry is not yet over. The coroner—that hopelessly fatigued poor fellow—is as much perplexed as yourself, and he's a prettj sharp customer, believe me There is work to be done yet, and work for both of us. I am going to do a little of my share of it tonight" "In what way?" "The house—No. 18,1 mean, of course —is now deserted, is it not?" "Yes. Miss Rodney has left all the keys with me, and we have shut the place up until further orders. You will find every door locked and every win dbw securely hasped."

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"I suppose I may have the keys?" "Certainly.' For what purpose, may I ask?" ,,, "Iam going to sleep the -e tonight. The coroner'sxjourt reassembles on Monday, and I am going to. seen I can't,do a good deal toward clearing! up my share of the mystery before that highly intelligent foreman declares what the verdict of the jury is." "That's a vray simple matter.surely." "You never know. The other doctor, wbo assisted Percival at the postmortem, may have some new light to throw on the case" "That isn't very likely." "Perhaps not But what I want to* do before Monday is to collar those 18 Bank of England notes." "I wish you luck." "Which means you do not think I am going to succeed. Oh, pray, don't apologize!" "I suppose there is no use in inquiring what your plans are?" "At- present my plans are merely to sleep in the house tonight Tomorrow 1 will ask you to keep me company for the night in the house If I hit any nails on the head I will show you fairly and squarely how and when I have hit them. If I fail I shan't drag you down with me in my failure."

Detective Goringe rose and lit his pipe "Now then, inspector, the keys of Nov 18 and your best wishes for my enterprise "Both are at your service," said Briggs, opening his desk and quickly producing the keys of Mrs. Davorn's house "Tlianks," said Detective Goringe as he placed the keys in the pocket of his light overcoat. "I shall see you tomorrow night, then, in Felspar road. Let nobody bo aware I am in the house or in the neighborhood—or that anybody is in the house. Come about 11, quietly. Perhaps before we part on the Monday morning I shall have around unvarnished tale to deliver." "That's your present opinion evidently," said the inspector, smiling. "And that's your joke, Briggs." said Detective Goringe, putting on his pot hat "Goodnight"

CHAPTER XDL

3 A MIDNIGHT'JIARABDER.

As the night was free from rain or fog Detective Goringe decided to take a ramble through Clayfields and ruminate upon the case which he had come to investigate

It was 10 o'clock when he left the police station, and after wandering aimlessly through several streets he found himself in Crescent road, the principal road in Clayfields! It was a broad highway, flanked with good houses and a' plentiful sprinkling of trees.

The detective' had h'o object in view, whoa ^e, started fr$m the {plice station, except to get to FeLgmr: road and sleep there, or keep .a vigil th&e,/for the night He now felt' in no humor for sleep, and walked quietly along Crescent road until he came to the corner oif Felspar road, which stood' at right angles to it.

Here he stopped for a moment and then decided to continue his walk. As he strode along, glancing occasionally across the roadway at the dwelling houses, which wero nearly all lit up and looked bright and cheerful, his eyes were attracted by the dull flame of a doctor's lamp. "Percival's house, of course," roriected Gviriuge, standing opposite it. "Sort of business I shouldn't like to belong to. Patching up livo* bodies, ripping up dead ones. Ugh!"

As ho stood gazing at tho house, refiectiua upon the hardships and anxie­

ties of~a doctor's life, bo saw Percival's hall door being opened. Instinctively he. stepped back some paces until he was completely shadowed by a large tree which stood on the edge of the pathway, almost equally distant from two street lamps. "Urn!" said the detective, with a° low growl, as he watched a young man descending tho steps of Dr. Percival's house, the light from the hall 'enveloping him in a vivid glow. "A sort of out of the frying pan into the fire young man! Shouldn't wonder if. he'd do something odd before my present job is fixed. He knows he is no longer being dogged nor in imminent danger of being ran in. Hello! There he goes down Felspar road. That's not his way home One would think that road would be marked 'no thoroughfare' for him. But a young man in love is perhaps not a fair subject for dissection. You can only have opinions about him, and they ntay be all wrong. The sort of .thing my friend Briggs would be delighted to hear. Isuppose it is the old atary of the moth and the candle."

And growling like a surly dbg 'Gtar» Mige continued his walk along the Present road.

He was now far away from the case hicb had brought him to Clayfields. is thoughts had wandered^ back to a oil nigh forgotten period of Ids life ':en he, too, had been as young as Maua Leclerc and as deeply in love it was close upon midnight when Gorre- put the latchkey into the door of

Felspar road. He had determined to guv into tne nonse ana go to oea in vne dark. He was a little tired. There wasno occasion for a night watch. He could do all he wanted to do next day.

To Goringe fear was unknown, and as he stood in tho hall of the empty house no sensation disturbed him except that ho felt unusually tired. "Long walks evidently don't agree with nie," he reflected as he mounted the stairs and made straight for Steinworth's bedroom. He had a little difficulty in finding the right key, but he soon discovered which it was, and unlocking the door, he entered the room and then fastened the door from the inside with the brass bolt' He plaoed a chair near the head of the bed at the side which was farthest from the door. On the chair he placed his coat' and waistcoat, and- on the top af these hia watch and a loaded revolver. Then he,took off his boots, and arranging a' blanket .over himself fell asleep,quickly.

It was broad ,daylight \yhen„Goringe awoke,, He jumped alertly.out of bed and Baw by' his watch that it was close upon 8 o'clock,

VI must chance lichtiiur afire in the kitchen, ho thought iw he stripped off his sliirt and proceeded, to the ii?Mh«„ stand. "Never tbouglit I could feel ab-, soluteiy in' waint of hot cup of ooffee Hello!" he1 excl&iffied, "no water in the ewer. I suppose I can have a douche in the sonllery." He threw his' coat overs his shoulder and proceeded down stairs.

The kitchen door was at-the far end of the halL It stood wide open, and as^' Goringe entered tlie kitchen he saw that^ the ki tsh'en window was partly open.

He was not an emotional man, but ', the open window caused him to bite h|«i§ nether lip, and to stamp furiously on the floor. "There's no mistake about this window anyhow, said he, with a strange smile, as he proceeded quietly and slowly to examine the hasp. "TMs has been|| forced during the night Perhaps thef| burglar has been as unconscious of iny§| existence in the house as I have been ofi| his. Rummy business! What a triumph"! it will be for Briggs to hear thisl" |I

Goringe entered the scullery, washedff himself with a brave show of unconcern, and then started to make his breakfast,.

As soon as his hunger and thirst weref appeased—he found ample materials tal the pantry for his wants—he took his:. stand at the kitchen window. Opposite! •the window was a high wooden fence/ with a cemented path abont three. feet?:' wide lying between the window and the' fence. The lionse at the other side of the fence had no gable window and exhibited only a blank wall of dull, yellow brick. "An excellent place to plant an easily opened window surely!" mused the detective

Closing tho window he proceeded leisurely to tho two sitting rooms on the ground floor. There was no sign of a disturbance of any kind in either of the rooms. Then lie walked up stairs, and entered the room which Mrs. Davorn used to occupy. Here there were unmistakable traces of a recent disturbance Goringe could easily remember how the room had been arranged after its last tenant-had been taken from it Everything was now pulled about the floor of the room was littered with portions of the bedding (somo of which had been ripped and torn), broken boxes and rumpled linen. "This comes of Briggs taking his men off. I suppose I may hazard an' opinion when I am all by myself. No doubt, this is either the work of some one who heard Vickery's evidence and thought he would have a tgyfar the notes—perhaps I disturbed his operations at. midnight—-while the house wai deserted, or perhaps it is a blind. Anyhow. I'm in a nice hole This iswhat comes of sentimentalizing when there's work, to be. done

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,V/ •. ,-^ff ••'*'•1 O E O N IN E

WATKINS VALLEY..

Hog cholera is still raging., Farmers are cribbing their corn. Hattie Patiison is on the sick list. Farmers are ,nearly done sowine wheat, y-l

Will Johnson sold fifty head of hocrs at 4 a hundred. £ra Kale, of Kentucky, spent Sunday with Miss I va Williams.

Corda Thompson will be a partner of John B. Lynn at corn husking this fall.

The Wat-kins school is doing nicelyl under the administration of Miss Lou ChestersoD. BBa ESS&C i—.

There will be a box supper at Watkins' school house, No. 3, Oytqbcjc. 18. All are invited. ,'v

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