Decatur Democrat, Volume 41, Number 41, Decatur, Adams County, 23 December 1897 — Page 6

k CIH KTWE OK All teteopM Glirral. BY aOWAUD M. YO.-T. CHAPTER VII. The probability that I had a rival in the field, and one who had a free road while I was handicapped by the suspicion of a crime, filled me with desperation. Had I only followed my first impulse, and not allowed a whole year to intervene without making an attempt to clear njyself! If you want anything of consequence done, do it yourself, ■was a maxim I had always believed in, and as far as possible followed out. Rut in this one most important instance, where the circumstances affected my whole life and promised to annul nil possibility of future happiness, I nud held aloof with a supineness for ■which I could not now condemn myself strongly enough. I knew the bank officials had used every effort to recover their property. I knew the shrewdest detectives had been put on the case. Notwithstanding this, nothing had been discovered. How could I, then, hope to succeed! Where could I begin? There was not the least sign of a clew to work on. I soon drove into Twineburgh, and had no trouble in locating Mr. Sonntag’s office. An undersized old fellow with bristling gray hair was seated at a desk, his back toward the door. He took no notice of me, and, after standing for a few minutes gazing at the back of his head, I made known my presence. “I wish to speak to Mr, Sonntag," I said. "Take a chair; be at leisure in a moment,” came the answer, in quick, jerky tones. He did not even turn his head, but went on with his work. I sat down and looked around. It was a typical small-town lawyer's office I was in. There were a few law books in a small, rickety bookcase on one side of the room, a few rough wooden chairs, warranted to cause a backache only to look at them, a fewold maps and calendars, most of the latter of former years, hanging on the walls, a wooden spittoon filled with sawdust on the floor, a rusty stove, from which the discolorations of the fires of the last w inter had not been removed, standing in one corner, and, lastly, the desk before which was seat- j ed my agent and lawyer. I thought the old fellow, judging from his back, was in complete har- | tnony with liis surroundings; but I soon found I had misjudged the man. For when he finally arose, turned toward me and favored me w ith a searching glance from a pair of the keenest steel-blue eyes I had ever seen, it was | very evident Mr. Sonntag was not as

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rusty as ins surrounumgs. There was something, familiar to me about him. Had I met him before? | I could not remember. Arising, I was about to make myself known, but before I could utter a word he stepped briskly up to me and with a smile extended his hand. “I am glad to see you,” he began. ; "Os course you arc my client, Mr. NelI son Conway?” “Yes, that is my name.” I answered, somewhat surprised. "But, as you have probably never seen me before, although your face docs seem familiar, I should like to ask how you knew.” “Nothing remarkable about it at all. You wrote me from Baris, you remember, stating the probable time of your I arrival home. And, although I have been here only six months, 1 have got i to know, by sight at least, every one about this place. Therefore I knew I you were a stranger, that Mr. Conway i was about due, and—well, there you J have it. Have you just arrived?”

“I came yesterday noon.” “Indeed. And where are you stopping?” “Over at the old house, of course. Where else should I have gone?” “Oh, I supposed you would have put up at the hotel here in Twineburgh until we could get things in a little better shape for you at the homestead. How did you find things?” “Considering that the house has been vacant so many years, I was very agreeably surprised to note the good state of repair it is in,” I replied. “I have tried to follow out the plans of my predecessor as far as possible. You think you will enjoy yourself in Nelsonville?” be C’kfd, flashing an inquiring glance nt me. “Oh, yes. I hope ti> have absolute rest and peace, at any rate,” I replied, somewhat hesitatingly, for my sojourn at the old house had certainly not begun rcstfully. I had slept but little the night before. “Nothing about the arrangements I have made for your comfort to prevent it, is there?” he asked. “No. You have done well. I want to ask you, before I forget it, why did you have the cellar off of the old storeroom walled up?” A look of perplexity came over his faee, and, as he did not seem to comprehend my question, I went on more explicitly: "There were two doorways, one leading to the storeroom and the other leading to the outside. Both these doorways have been built up with solid masonry to correspond with the foundation walls. I simply ask out of curiosity what your reasons were for having it done—not that I have any objection.” My question was a simple enough one. Mr. Sonntag seemed to think it necessary to ponder over it, however. “Let me see. The cellar you have reference to is directly under the room you proposed in your letter of instruction to me to occupy,” he finally said. “Yes, and there used to be two doors “And they have been built up?” he

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broke in. “Yes. Do you not know about it?” I asked, in surprise. “No,” he replied, shortly. “Then you did not have it done?” “Certainly not. I had nothing to do with it. Know nothing about it,” he answered, decidedly. "If they are built up, it has been done within six weeks. For when I received your letter announcing your intention to occupy the house for a time, I went all through the place, and those doorways were not built up then. I even went into that cellar. It was a damp, musty bole, and I intended to call your attention to it and ask what you wished done about it.” “Well, that’s strange! Who could have done it!” I’cxclaimed, thoroughly perplexed. “How did you get into th» storeroom ? I had to kick open the door. “Oh. I had a key to the outside door, and got in that way. H’m! It is, as you say, very strange, indeed. But resume your sent, Mr. Conway.” Again the thought occurred to me that I had met Mr. Sonntag, or at least »een biin. somewhere before. “Did I ever meet you?” 1 asked, voicing my thought. He glanced quickly at me, and then smiled as he said: “Look like some one you know, do I? One often meets people who put them in mind of some one else. Now, regarding this cellar affair. Is there anyone you know who is interested in your property?” he asked, in a brisk, business-like manner. “No one,” I replied. “I am the last of my race—a lonely man, and one who is sick at heart, I was about to add.” Mr. Sonntag's face became serious,

and I thought there was a touch of pity on it. "Cheer up, Mr. Conway. The tables will turn some day, and you will forget the time of trouble and despondency,” the old lawyer said, cheerily and hopefully; “perhaps sooner than you have any idea of. Now, then,” he continued, returning to his brisk, businesslike manner, “some one has walled up those doorways. Who was it, and for what purpose? If it was done with the idea of a hiding-place, what was the thing to be hidden? Something which was never again to be reproduced, evidently, or the room would not have been wholly sealed. Perhaps there was a secret entrance provided. But then, why should your property have been selected? Were you alone when the discovery was made?” “No, sir. A woman who used to act as nurse girl when I was a young one was with me, and also Mrs. Snyder, the widow who takes care of the house.” “Yes, I know. I believe the old widow can be relied upon to say nothing about the circumstances if she is told not to. How about the other, your old nurse?” “She would do anything possible for j me. I was her idol when a child, and now devotion for me seems to have been augmented in proportion to my stature. Sarah is wholly trustworthy, and if I requested her not to mention the matter she would have her tongue cut out rather than breathe a word of it.” ‘That's good. The discovery had best lie kept secret,” the old lawyer said, reflectively. “There is anotherthing Iwish to mention. though perhaps it is hardly worth dwelling upon. Mrs. Snyder thinks there is something strange about the house. And she has so succeeded in impressing my old nurse with the idea < that Sarah is quite concerned about my I staying. She seems to be imbued with an inexplicable fear that something harmful threatens me.” "Indeed! What do you mean when yon say there is something strange? You mean mysterious?” the old lawyer asked, in the manner he would have used in cross-examining a witness. "Yes; Mrs. Snyder claims to have seen mysterious lights at night, and heard strange noises.” Mr. Sonntag’s eyes lost their shrewd

expression for a few moments; he re- i lapsed into deep thought. “Have these mysteries any relation | to, or any connection with, the sealed cellar?” he finally asked. "The woman said nothing about the strange evenrs being located in any particular place, and 1 did not think to ask her,” I replied. The old lawyer’s question opened up a new train of thought. Could it be possible that the strange voice I had heard proceeded from the sealed cellar? “Ah! I suppose the women are superstitious and think the place is ; haunted. Such ideas generally get | abroad about old. long vacated houses. But you do not mind their talk? Y’ou are not afraid of ghosts, are you?” The old fellow’s eyes twinkled merrily. “Well I have never come across any of those shadowy beings. I could tell better after I met one. I hardly think talk alone could frighten me,” I replied, somewhat shamefacedly, remembering bow nearly I had been unnerved the night before by my own reflection. "I will be over some time to-morrow, and will see if anything can be done regarding the mysterious cellar,” Mr.

Sonntag said, as I rose to leave. “And —pardon me for referring to the unfortunate affair—have you heard of any new developments in the robbery case ?” "What!” X exclaimed, “you know of it too?” “Certainly. I lived near Philadelphia at the time and I read the papers,” he replied. smilingly. “It seems I cannot escape hearing of that terrible affair,” I said, bitterly. “And I acted the part of a fool, too, in the matter. Instead of putting forth every effort to find the perpetrators I let the thing go; let others, who could not possibly have lied the interest in the case that I had, undertake investit gallons. I am rightly served for my I supineness, for I have heard nothing > about it at all. I know what I knew the morning of its occurrence, not a bit more. Others have failed; 1 intend to ’ see now what I can do.” “You intend going into the affair, , then?” he said, dryly.

“I do, with all the energy and resource I am possessed of.” "Do you know how near you came to being arrested for the crime. Sonntag asked. "Why, yes. I know, of course, that would have happened could anything have been found against me. ’ • Well, there was enough to hold you, on suspicion at least. "Then why did you not arrest me. I am sure 1 was willing. 1 courted a trial.” "It was very seriously talk#! or among the trustees. But the president opposed it, for one," Sonntag said. “Yes, I know he really believed me innocent.” "But his objection was not thestrongest influence which arose in your behalf,” continued my agent. “The strongest, most powerful opposition to your arrest came from one whose influence outweighs even the president’s.” "One of the trustees?” I asked,eagerly. „ ! “You cannot mean—- “ Sylvester Morley,” interrupted the lawyer. “Mr. Morley!” I exclaimed, joyfully. For I knew, great as Sylvester Morley's influence was, there was one who wielded a greater, since she could influence her father. Was it her sweet self that had come to my aid through her father? It would be happiness to know this; but then —why had she passed me without a greeting? My face must have told a whole story to the shrewd old lawyer. When I turned toward him again there was a very grave expression on his face, and a contemplative look about his sharp eyes as he regarded me, "Y’ou seem highly’ elated by this,” he said.

“Oh, I am. What young man would not feel highly honored in knowing that a man of Mr. Morley’s standing had defended him ?” I exclaimed. The old fellow saw the blush which spread over my face, however, and he smiled as he replied: “I do not court your confidence, but it is plain there is some power behind Mr. Morley which led that gentleman to defend you. Now, believe me, Mr. Conway, I do not ask for curiosity; there is a grave purpose in the question I am about to ask you,” he went on. as the smile died from his face and what seemed to me to be deep concern appeared instead. “The question is this: Are you an especial friend of Miss Morley's?" Are you engaged to marry her?” | “No. But, had the suspicion of the rdbbery not fallen upon me. I probably would have asked her to be my wife long before now,” I replied, rather wondering at myself for telling this to the i old fellow on so short an acquaintance. “Ah, she loves you, then?" “That I cannot say. I believe she did think very highly of me at one time; but I promised not to hold any communication with her until my innocence was known. It is a year since then. Whether her feeling for me has changed or not I do not know.” “Y’ou have stuck to your promise, then?” “Why, certainly!” I answered, with some indignation at the implied doubt of me. “Now about the investigation you desire to engage in,” Sonntag said,

changing the subject rather abruptly. “What do you propose to do? How go about it?” “Oh, hire some smart detective,” I replied. “I suppose that will be the only way. What else can I do?” j “Do you think the bank officials have I done nothing? Do you think you could find any shrewder detectives than have undoubtedly been working on the case? If the bank with all its tremendous resources has not succeeded in running the robbers down, how can you expect to succeed when your limited means would make your search merely a superficial one?” “But, heavens, man! what am I to do? I Carry this load to the grave? Why, Mr. I Sonntag, this suspicion of me, you cannot imagine what a horrible thing it is how it darkens my life!” I exclaimed, . in bitterness of spirit, as I realized how . hopeless my case seemed. “Y’ou have been patient so long under ■ your trouble, a little more endurance . will not hurt you,” Sonntag said, in > answer to my despairing words. > “Y’ou’ll come out of it all with flying colors some day. Now it may not

"Ah: She loves you then." look so to yon, but to me it appears that you have done a great deal your self, in the investigations which nt doubt are still in progress.” “How can that be? 1 have done noth ing.” "And that is exactly what I mean That very course seems to me to be i great feature in the search, thougl you cannot see it in that light.” Sonn tag smiled in a knowing way.

“In what respect has my supineness aided the ease?” I asked, curiously. “By allowing the real perpetrators of the crime to feel secure in their position, knowing as they probably do tiiat you are still the only suspected party.” I was much impressed by the old fellow’s words. "You ought to have been a detective,” I remarked, at which he turned his sharp glance toward me and answered: “Yes, I might have done something in that line. But I prefer a quiet life.” Sonntag followed me out to the buggy. I took up the lines, but a thought occurred to me, and I delated my departure to voice it. "Do you know Mr. Morley?" I asked. “No, I do no 6,” was Sonntag's answer. “Then where did you get your information about that gentleman s defense of me?” "Oh, such news gets out sometimes. I Still. I don’t mind telling you. It was from Horace Jackson I received the information.” » “From Jackson!” I exclaimed, in surprise. “Y’ou know Jackson, then?” “Yes; merely a speaking acquaintance, though. He comes here quite frequently.” “How can he get away from the bank?” I asked. “He is not employed there now.

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Jackson has become quite least so he himself says H> 1 thy ’ ** some big strikes speculate lands. He said he could devote his time to the bank for n n u grown so important. So he left L a five or six months ago.” about “'Then he did finally f u l fin hi of leaving,” I remarked. "He i.ways Unking about leaving” t n *’ tinned, in explanation. “As’ he X j held on to his position notwithstanfl mg, it got to be a standing joke in J office about Jackson quitting the j ob » Ah, indeed? He seemed, thej, desire that every one of his might expect his leaving at any ti ae “- remarked the lawyer, with a signifl. cance I could not then account for. “I suppose so, or he would not have reiterated his intention so frequently And he's become rich? No wonder He told me once he was interested with Mr. Morley in a few business ventures Well, he’s lucky. You’ll Ibe over, then' to-morrow?” ’ “Yes. Good-day.” (To be continued? HELP WANTED-MALE. AGENTS get fifty cents on esch dollar- no experience necessarv. Write for agent’s St., New YorL 1 * Cathollo NeWB 5 Barclay