Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 25 October 1895 — Page 7

get my rival—for so I regarded him— suspected. But how I could uot think. As I strode up and down my room in my stockings I remembered a discovery I had made a few weeks previously, about the hinges of my door." "Go slow. Go slow," interrupted Goringe. "We are getting to business now. How are hinges fixed on a door, Briggs?" lie asked, turning to the inspector. "Don't look at the door, but just tax your memory."

Inspector Briggs paused for a moment. "It seems a very simple question," said lie, "but it is rather a poser to be faced with it right off when you're not in the joinery business. I know. The flat parts of the hinge are screwed to the frame of the door and to the door itself in such away that the screws are out of eight when the door is closed, and nothing is seen but the round part of the hinge through which the pin goes. That's what puzzled me tonight when I saw our friend attack the inside of the door with a screwdriver.'' "A somewhat roundabout explanation about door hinges," said Goringe. "Now, Steimvorth, will you fire ahead again?" "A few weeks previously I had been amusing myself in the evening by painting bits of my room, and the last thing I did in that way was the door. It struck me in going over the door that the liinges—which were imbedded deeply in the door itself and the frame—were different from those of other doors, and later on I found I was right about this. My door was evidently turned some long time ago and possibly it was refixed by an amateur carpenter. At all ©vents, the flat parts of the hinges, as the inspector calls them, are fixed inside my door. The pin and rounded part is also inside the door, and is the only visible part of the hinge when the door is closed. In fact, it looks exactly the same aa any other door. When I was cleaning the woodwork, I discovered this, for there was so much paint already on the door and the doorpost that the flat part of the hinges and the heads of the screws were quite covered over with paint. As I strode up and down the room, turning everything over in my mind, it occurred to me that it might be possible to unscrew the door at the hinges, to lock it from the outside, get back again into the room and screw the door up. Then no one could suspect me of having left my room, for I could not get out of the window without leaving traces behind me, and no one could suspect me of having locked myself in— at least no one in Clayfields." "Did you not consider that the money might have been stolen before you were locked in? That a friend might aid you in locking the door?" "No that did not occur to me. I have no friends of that sort. "So you see you were not absolutely free from suspicion even if your door trick had not been discovered. Well?"

It was some time,'' continued Steinworth, "before I could decide what course I would adopt. Lcclerc had left the house, and I was walking up and down my room silently iu the dark After about an hour I thought I heard a queer, hoarse cry—not a loud cry, but a dull sound, with a strange terror in it. I opened 'my door quietly and listened intently, but I heard no further noisa The house was as still as the grave." "What time was it you thought you heard the cry?" asked Goringe. "I could not exactly say. Probably between 12 and 1 o'clock." "Go on. You stood listening, your door open. Well?" "As I stood in my room, still undecided if I would chance a visit to Mrs. Davorn's room and trying to think how I might be certain she was fast asleep, I heard a noise, which startled r\e, on the landing, and then—I was nearly dead from terror as I caught sight of it —I saw the figure of a man dressed in a white robe on the landing. Who or what it was I co aid not telL I was paralyzed. The man seemed to hesitate. Then he suddenly turned and walked into my room. He wandered about a bit as if he were feeling in the darkness, and at last he got to my bed and held something over it for a few minutes. Next he wandered about the room, feeling his way with outstretched hands, and at last he got to the cupboard oVer there. He fumbled about in it, and at length—I can't tell how long he was in (lie room—he groped his way to the duor. He passed quite close to me. I couldn't move a muscle to save- my life, and I saw his eyes were closed. I got courage from this and fancied the man was in some kind of trance. "Of course I now knew it was Vickery. I touched him on the shoulder, but he showed no sign of having felt me, so I plucked up sufficient courage to follow him. He stood on the landing for some minutes and then went into his own room. I still followed him. He went straight into his bed. Somehow 1 fancied he was on tho same errand as the one I was contemplating. His idea had been to chloroform Mrs. Davorn. A capital idea for ma It would put all suspicion away from me and direct it either against Vickery or Leclerc. I was aware Vickery used chloroform and ether •—he had spoken to me once about the evaporation of ether, and I had seen bottles on his mantelpiece as I passed into my own room. I now knew he was utterly unconscious, so I took the liberty of seeking fof a bottle of his chloroform. I brought this into my own room, and going to my bed I found upon it a sponge, which, of course, Vickery had dropped there. I waited now for considerably over an hour, and then I saturated my sponge and stole into the next room. Vickery was snoring loudly, but fearing he might awake and disturb me

I thought it would be prudent to lock his door. If I heard him fumbling at it I could liave^ime to get back to my own room undiscovered. I then proceeded to Mrs. Davorn's room and, as I thought, chloroformed her. I had little .idifficulty in finding the money, and the only thing was where to hide the notes

As I left the room it occurred to mo that if I wanted to throw suspicion on Leclerc it would bo best to strengthen it

by letting it be supposed he got in through tho window. 1 knew he was devilish hard up, and was the kind of fellow who would flounder about helplessly in a morass once he was plunged into it. I hate the cur." 'Rather a wild sort of way for a cool hand like yourself to work up a case against a rival." 'I admit it was, but the sight of that apparition in my room—Vickery in tho trance, or whatever it was—had put me into such a fevered condition that I

Steinworth again ceased to speak. could not reason out things calmly. Anyhow I returned to the landing outside, wont into my room, and lighting a candle I set to work nt the hinges. It was a tough job to unscrew them—I think it took me the best part of an hour—but when I did get the back part of the door fairly free from the doorpost I saw that tho place where the old lock had been was covered by a slab of wood which seemed to bo giving out. As I examined this piece of covering wood I soon saw it would easily come away. I pried it out gently and found I could almost put my whole hand into the cavity where the old lock had been. What better place for the notes? I put them there. I knew it was putting all my eggs intp one basket, but that is not always the worst plan. Then I refixed the piece of wood which covered in this hole. It fitted readily, and I had only to give it a thin coat of tho quickly drying paint I had been using a few weeks before, and no trace would be left to the ordinary eye."

Steinworth now paused he seemed tired and distraught He spoke in a drawling tone, and with the air of one who is reading aloud, rather than with the manner of one who is giving utterance to his thoughts. After some minutes he proceeded again. "l am very near tne end ot tnat awful night," he said. "I next pulled the door into the room until I had made sufficient space to let myself out between it and the doorpost. I was now fearfully agitated any sudden or unexpected noise would. I think, have made mo collapse. If Mrs. Davorn had awaked and screamed—a thing I was dreading —I think I should have died of fright When I got out on the landing I found I had a more difficult task before me -than I expected. The key would not turn in the lock it was at too sharp an angle in the lock. This added to the terror's of the night, for it was on the door I placed my reliance. In the end I was obliged to drag tho door back into its place and then lock it, and then the

task was, having locked it, to forco it back sufficiently to allow me to squeeze myself into the room between the door and the doorpost without disturbing the lock. At length I accomplished my task. No one but a very slender man could have got back."

Steinworth again ceased to speak and began to pant heavily. It was several minutes before he resumed his story. "I was now almost fainting from excitement and terror, but I nerved my self for a final struggle with the door. I got it into its place, screwed up the hinges and then painted them over until I felt they would be as invisible as they had been before I had disturbed them. The paint I was using would dry in about 12 hours, and then I should be safe." "It was the smell of the paint which first put me on the right scent," observed Goringe. "It was quite dry when I examined the door, but it had plainly been put on recently. Anyhow I scraped enough away with my finger nails to satisfy me that—taking other things into account—the key to the mystery was the door. Now, Mr. Steinworth, sis you have been so free with your confession, will you tell me, just for curiosity's sake, at what time did you enter tho houso last night? Of course, you know it is a question you are quite justified in refusing to answer." "Not only will I tell yen that gladly, for it relieves mo to spi-ak, but I will tell you freely why I came. It was at the same time I camo tonight—I cannot say the exact hour—but between 12 and 1 o'clock." "I suppose you were not aware then that 'I had only just tumbled into bed in this very room when you arrived on the landing?" "You astonish mol" said Steinworth his eyes lighting up. "1 was quite sure the house was deserted.' "I must have slept more soundly last night than I have slept for 20 years, but all thp same it is true that I was in this room while you were busy with the keyhole." "I worked as silently as I could, but it is strange I did not disturb you. "The air here evidently agrees with you, Mr. Goringe," said Inspector Briggs. "But our young friend is anx ious to tell us why he risked the visit here." "For the money, of course," said Steinworth. "I had hoped to find the key in the door. Then all would have been done in one night "Possibly uot," said Goringe. "I am afraid the sight of a man slumbering in your bod would have scared you. "Perhaps you are right," sighed Steinworth. "At all events, as I bad the house to myself—at least, so thought at the time—I determined to fasten fresh snspicion on Leclerc. I fan cied something would arise to upset

Vickery

own theory of his being the

Derson who took the notes."

Steinworth paused again. Ho seemed utterly worn out, and it was beginning to dawn upon the two officers of tho law that if. would have been safer to have sent for a doctor at tho beginning rather than toward the end of tho young man's story.

Suddenly a loud knock at tho hall door startled the three men. Steinworth threw his hands up, his eyes blazing with terror.

Heavens!" ho cried. What is this

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

liny Abolish Convict Inlxir.

La Porte. 1ml., Oct. 23.—The special committee appointed at the last session the legislature has completed an exhaustive inquiry into the management of penitentiaries and the result will lie the introduction of a bill abolishing the present system of hiring the convicts to contractors. It is proposed to employ the state's charges on the publie highways, the only exception being made when long time and life prisoners are received for confinement. Tho object is to force convict labor from the field of competition with free labor.

Not. Kich Till They Died.

"Waterloo, Ind., Oct. 23.—Mrs. John Ax, who died here, has left the people to solve the money question. Mrs. Ax's husband died four years ago. Both had always pretended to be poverty stricken. Mrs. Ax was 74 years old and besides an unknown cash surplus hidden away or buried slio leaves a farm and residence property in this city, with no family relatives. Search was begun and nearly S300 in cash had already been found, and it was expected a large sum was still hidden.

To Pump Gas to Indianapolis.

Anderson. Ind., Oct. 23.—The Indianapolis Manufacturers' Supply company put 5100,000 aside for use in this county in putting in and equipping a station to pump gas into Indianapolis. The company will build the pumping station -north of this city near Frankton and it will be of brick and stone. The company will also drill more wells. The farmers and property-owners are protesting against intrusion with pumps.

Abandon VanIerlllt*s Scheme.

Wabash, Ind., Oct. 23- Cornelius and W. K. Vanderbilt have sold to Ed T. Brown, of Huntington, a tract of the old Wabash and Erie canal land in the heart of that city for $10,000. The tract is 100 by 112 feet and includes the entire width of the old canal bed. The transfer is significant because it indicates the abandonment by the Vanderbilts of the scheme to construct a railway along the old canal paralleling the Wabash railroad.

Will Make It an Jilcctrlc Line.

JeiTersonville, Ind., Oct. 23.—Representative "Williams, for a southern syn dieate, has purchased the Ohio Falls Street Car company of this city and will at once convert it into an electric line to connect with the Big Four bridge to Louisville. Twentv-iive miles of additional track will be. laid and the service improved in every respect. The purchase price is not known.

.•t: ••The Marriajrc

Sad Fate of School Girl.

Terre Haute, Ind., Oct. 23.—Ella Duncan. a 15-year-old school girl, committed suicide Tuesday on her way to school and fell dead on the street. She used the money her mother had given her for candy to buy strychnine. Two weeks ago she confessed that she had been ruined, and since then had repeatedly said she wished she were dead.

FOR

sale bills see

THE JOUKNAL

"Hello there!''

"I say, Mr. Editor, can't you send me the rest of that story? I'll send my boy after it. "Yes. That's it. vMystery of the Great Ruby.'_ "Indeed it is. The most interesting Story I ever read. "What? Wait for the next issue of the paper? I can't stand the suspense "Well, then I suppose I'll have to. "You see, I don't read Serials as tule, but I got interested in this from glance at the first chapter. "Come, tell me, on the quiet, how floes it end? "The deuce! Ha—ha—ha! ,/ "Good! I'll watch for it. "That's a fact You fellows do know how to get up a good paper.. "Goodby."

iii

iu.

Mi.uistcr/W-

Kokomo, Ind., Oct. 23.—Rev. llayden Rayburu died at his home in this city, iged SI. He took pride in his record as '"the marriage minister, having mar ried 1,277 couples during his life, the last but a few days before his death. Born in Kentucky, he came to this county fifty-two years ago and has been actively identified with its progress in many ways.

PsiKTKRa

Co.,

Too Many Dress Goods and Silks.

50 pes Novelty Suitings suitable for house dresses and tea gowns, worth 25c. Clearing price «jj 25 pes 38-inch all wool Ladies' Cloth, all colors, worth 40c. Clearing price 50-in Storm Serge, navy and black, value SI yd. Clearing price 10 pes 50-in French Serge, extra fine, blue and black, worth SI yd.

Clearing price

24-in black Peau de Soie silk, worth SI.25. Clearing price 21-in gro de Laundrie silk, worth SI.

Clearing price

12 pes black Gros Grain silks with colored satin stripes. Clearing price

Clearine price

iii

150 large Gingham Umbrellas worth SI. Clearing price 100 Gloria Silk Umbrellas, assorted style handles, worth up to SI.50

Clearing price

Ladies' and Misses' Mackintoshes, worth up to 84. Clearing price..

CleariDg price

ttl

25 doz large size all linen napkins with red borders, worth

Clearing price

About 150 pairs of those damaged Kid Gloves, black only, sizes 5% to 6%, worth when new, SI to 82.

Clearing price ... 100 pairs Corsets, satin striped goods, worth 75c. Clearing price Several of our $1 lines of Corsets.

Clearing price

THE BIG STORE

Trouble! Trouble! rouble!

We are in trouble and we need your help. Listen while we relate our woes. Last May we decided to build an addition of 3,360 foot floor space on the top of our store, but that has been denied us by the city council, as the following clipping from the daily papers' report of their last meeting will show:

"Mr Louis Biscliof asked a permit to build a second story on the rear addition of his business block, the skeleton of said building to be of wood, and this to be covered with iron but

•. .tiliis was not in accordance with the requirements of the ordinance governing the construc- •. tion of buildings within the fire limits and the permit was not granted."

Our present walls are too light to support a second story brick wall or an iron wall complying with the ordinance referred to and we have been compelled to abandon the project. However,, believing we would have this extra room, we bought many more goods lhan the capacity of our present room will permit us to handle successfully and pleasantly and we are compelled to reduce our stock $20,000 within the next thirty days. These goods were all bought before the recent decided advances on all lines of staple and fancy goods, for spot cash, and if we could carry them we would realize fully 20 per cent, more than if we bought them at present prices. But we haven't the room and we bow to the inevitable and give our profits to our customers. Below area few of the many bargains we offer. We have hundreds more, but we haven't the time to list them, but it will pay you to come and see us for any dry goods .or notions.

.19

.25 .69

.50 .98 .63

Too Much Hosiery and Un-

derwear.

Ladies', Men's and Children's wool hose worth 25c and 35c. Clearing price Ladies' black and colored fleece lined hose worth 50c. Clearing price price 35c, 3 pr for Ladies' and Misses' all wool hose, regular price 35c. Clearing price Men's heavy gray mixed shirts and drawers worth 50c. Clearing price Three styles ladies' ribbed underwear, vest and pants, fleece lined

,19

1.00 .25

.35

.25

Children's ribbed fleece lined underwear, sizes 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. Clearing price. 10, 12K. 15, 17J*, 20, 22%, 25, 27%, 30, 32%cents.

Too' Many Umbrellas and Mackintoshes.

*.49

.98

1.50

Too Many Linens.

54-in Red Table Damask, same as most stores sell for 25c. Clearing price 58-in Turkey Red Damask worth 35c.

Cleariug price

10 pes unbleached all Linen Daiuask. some 70 inches wide, worth 00 and 05 cents. Clearing price... 50 doz. assorted towels worth 35c.

.15 .25

.50 .25

SI.00

.69

Too Many Mittens, Gloves and Corsets.

Men's extra heavy fulled Mittens, worth 35c. Clearing price Ladies' black Mittens, worth 35c.

Clearing price

.25 .25

.33 .49 .75

It Pays to Trade at the Big Store. 127-129 East Main Street.

Too Much Novelty Trimmings

Black feather boas. OR Clearing price................... White Angora fur trimming worth 50c. Clearing price •Otl Fur Edgings worth 20c. lO^

Clearing price

Too Many Domestics.

2% yard wide unbleached sheeting, worth 10c. Clearing price Yard-wide soft finish bleached Muslin. Worth CJ^c. Clearing price Yard-wide brown Muslin, worth 5c.

Clearing price

Extra heavy long nap Canton Flannel, worth 10c. Clearing price .. Staple check Ginghams, worth OJtfc.

Clearing price

Good quality Dornets and Check Shirting, worth 5c. Clearing price Extra heavy Jeans, four shades, worth 35c yard. Clearing price.. Light ground Shirting Prints, worth 5c yard. Clearing price Good style Dress Prints, turkey red,

Indigo, etc., worth 5c cents. Clearing price Comfort Calicos, worth 7c. Clearing price ... Yard-wide turkey red Calico, worth 10c. Clearing price Oil cloth Mats, suitable for school book covers, splashers and for protecting the table cloth, worth 10c. Clearing price Table Oil Cloth, worth 20c yard.

CleariDg price

To Many Notions.

Velveteen bindings, worth 10c. Clearing sale Dress Stays, worth 10c. Clearing price Mourning Pins in boxes, worth 5c.

Clearing price

Fine and coarse Combs, worth 5c to 10c. Cleariug price Toilet Soap, worsh 5c per cake.

Clearing price

Curling Iron*, worth 10c. Clearing price Tooth brushes, worth JOc to 15c.

Clearing price

Too Many Goods in the Upholstery Department.

Chenille Table Covers.4% feet square, worth 8.1c. Clearing price Yard-wide silkolinc, worth 15c.

Clearing price

100 pair Lace Curtains, 3% yards long, extra wide, 8 patterns, worth S2.50. Clearing price 25 pair Chenille Portiers, worth $4.00. O

Clearing price

Ui m. iU

Ui m. Ui

.12* .05 .04 .07* .05

iu.

.04 .25 .03*

.04 .05 .07

.04 .12*

.05 .07 .02* .03 .03 :04 .07

iii

.m Ui

.59 .10

Too Many Flannels and Blankets. .59

Ladies' full-size, all wool Skirt Patterns, worth 75c. Clearing price Gray mixed Flannel, one yard wide, all wool, worth 50c. Clearing price White Flannel, part wool, 28 inches wide, worth 20c. Clearing price Wool Eiderdowns, all best shades, worth 40c. Clearing price Extra large size bed spreads, worth worth

-25. Clearing price

LOUIS BI5CH0F

.33 ..12* .27 .89