Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1898 — Untitled [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BY THE SCOTT

CHAPTER XI-X. —(Gontinned.) When Mr., Kejlogg waft conducted to the cell in whidi Rdbert was confined, he found him pacing tbe floor in probably about as dejeeted a condition as a' young >weil be in, though be had not the remotest idea of wby be was in confinement. »-> He realized that; he had been; drank—very drnnk; and that it mnat be for drunkenness that be had been arrested. Not the most, remote recollection had be of the events of the night before, as the inspector had instructed his subordinates, in case he should, inquire, to inform him that,he must- await the inspector’s arrivaL , . s U( ( il l( . WhenHofeett heard the words, “6 my son—my son!” and saw bis father’s sor-rowTSl-ririH excited face through the iron bars of his ceil, the young man, with a moan of anguish, sank upon his cot. The turnkey unlocked th.e cell,door, and the arms Of the tether soon encircled the forifi ofc Ms eldest child. , . “O fatherf Wther! I am hot worthy to look you in the face!” ‘tMy'poor bOy!” sobbed tbe banker. “How did all this happen?” “Alas, father, I am uriable to Inform you; T rirify know that In rejoicing over Janette's escape from death, and in drinking to* health of Dr. Strong, I lost myself. Yes, now I remember closing a deal I toad been carrying on the Board of Trade, in which, to my surprise, I had a profit cf twb thousand dollars. The money is to my credit-with my brokers. I suppose the* success of that deal impelled me along until I became completely inebriated. I must have fallen in the street. I have no recollection of being arrested. “Father, I waft never in this condition before, and, God helping me, I will not be again!” “God bless yon, my boy; I know it! But have you no recollection of seeing Lawrence'Terry last night, late—say at midnight?” “Lawrence Terry? Nq, father, not the slightest. Surely he did not see me in my disgraced condition?” “Where were you at midnight, Robert?” jr; •-- “Alas, father’ I am unable to tell you.” “You* must try,, Robert, and recall all yon can of your movements last night. A grave situation confronts us. At near iriidnight the body of Lawrence Terry' was found in the alley between Monroe and Madison streets, a dirk blade buried in his bosom.” i > “O father, father! How horrible! Poor Lawrence! _Pqor Laura! What a blow to her, and to the mother and sister of Lawrence. I feel my deep disgrace, but that this sorrow should come is terrible. Is—is Lawrence dead, father?” “No, my son,” said the banker, wiping the tears from his eyes. “The inspector informs me that the physicians hope to save>his life.” “God grant that they may be able to do so.” “When I leave you, it will be to visit his bedside. Lawrence was on his way horne from a meeting of the bank directors. He who, seemingly to the police officials, had attempted to assassinate him, lay in the alley beside him, his hand ybt clasping the bloody hilt of the weapon that wfts buried in hi? breast.” “How fortunate that the fiend was captured. But why did he wish to assassinate Lawrence? Oh, robbery alone could have been the motive,” “My poor, poor boy, be brave! and remember you have a father who believes in your integrity. You, Ro-bert Kellogg, were the man found drunk and unconscious in the alley, clutching the dagger’s hilt. You are held here to answer to the crime, perhaps of murder, at least for an assault with intent to kill.” “Merciful God!” cried the young man. “And of last night's transaction I know no more than the dead.” The inspector had been standing by, listening attentively, and watching the young man’s features. “You were totally oblivious to the world when It was discovered that a crime had Deen committed, Robert,” he said. “Do you recognize this weapon?” ,f Tt iny initials are on the stock, the revolver is mine. For special reasons 1 have Carried it for several days. I had noticed that the weapon was missing.” “The initials are here,” said the official. “The revolver, then, is yours. This,” holding up the dirk, “is the weapon around the fingers of your right hand were clasped when you were discovered iq the alley. The blade was sheathed in the bosom of Terry.” ! ‘‘Tha-t weapon! I never beheld it until 'now!” “To your knowledge.” “Alas, yes, to my knowledge.” “Did you visit the gambling rooms the other side of the aMey last night? Do you know the place?” “I know the place. Was I—was I there? Everything yet seems indistinct. I remember going to the theater. I remember starting to go home. I remember —bal” The young man sat gazing with a fixed stare at the iron bars of his cell. “Well, what more do you remember?” asked the inspector. “Dimly, many things; distinctly, nothing. I now* know why I carried the revolver you have there. It was to prevent in part what has occurred. Fool, idiot that I was—and recognizing the very man. If you and father will leave me for an hour, I he able to recall more. gambling teoms. Yori may learn ” “I willi see* him. We will leave you now. Tfy jand recall some of the events Of last night. But what man did you recogtlize?” tgK> 3 “Leave that until you return,” ; “My son, I will visit Lawrence. He may be able’fo speak now;” “O father, lie may be dead.” “No, no, boy; hope for the best. I will ahave your breakfast brought over, You muftt, drink the coffee and eat what you can. Twill soon he back. God bless you! 'You are no mnrderer. You are my boymine, and I will stick to you to the last. You made a bad break last night, but you , are. all right, boy, all right.” !‘God bless you, my dear father. lam unworthy of those tears”’ “No, you’re not, hoy. No, you’re not!” And the inspector led the old man from the'cell, as Robert cast himself, weeping, full length'upon his cot.

CHAPTER XX. A' half-hour after leaving the station Mr. Kellogg entered the home of the cashier of his bank. “A sad—a very sad affair, my dear madsaid the banker cm meeting the sorrowing mother of Lawrence. “I sympathize with you deeply, but believe me, if was not Robert who attempted the life of your son,” “Robert?’exclaimed Mrs, Terry. “I do not understand!” BO&t them yotrtfiavfe ilnot been made aware! Of allijoU tbe particulftre of/thtestjange- caae. t ;jribrig<Nf te ft-prisoner a| tire central station. He is charged with being the author of the * it “Impossible! It cawtmt be! I, at least, notbette^fEtop^. is filter folly. r 'The';«iicml9' Kaye surely ' W rinV^rft&eti s Q£rifle#.f 1 ™ ! “ ’ “Hardly an unwarranted* old WddVMre* Terry, since Robert was found in an inebriated condition, unconscious, lying partly on tbe body of your son, and with the hilt of the dirk with which he was -assailed clutched ip his hand,”

“Why, why, I knew nothing of all" this. I cannot understand it” "Let us trust that your son may be able to clear up the mystery. Has he spoken?” “The physician and Grace are with him, Mr. Kellogg, But for yojar daughter's photograph he would have been slain. The doctor has not yet allowed him to speak, though his mind is evidently clear, and I can see that he desires to do so." “He may soon be able to dispel the cloud that hangs over ray boy.” “I doubt if he dreams that Robert was even suspected of having committed the crime, .nothing cod Id keep his Iff* seelcddidhe know of the charges against him. Let ns visit my son. Poor Robert, he is the last one who would have injured my boy.” “God bless you, madam,” exclaimed the banker; “but we must be very cautious. If prohibited by his physician, Lawrence must not speak.” Mr. Kellogg greeted Misspfirace and the doctor as he-entered the young man's room. LqipWfflfe glanced tried to smile as the party approached bis bedside, and then'gfazed anxiously at le banket. “Or his speedy recovery from that nearly fatal stroke,” said the physician, ‘1 entertain no doubt He is very weak from the losa of blood, and we must use gjitat captious, set li view aaiforiwfate position of your son, I think he might venture a word or two.” “My dear boy,” exclaimed his employer, “if I never could see the advantage of having a sweetheart before, I can now, since the photograph of your fair charmer saved your life.” Another smile wreathed the lips of the cashier. O not speak, Lawrence, and do e the least excited, for all will well. On your way homo from ors’ meeting, you encountered hior’s eyes said “Yes,” and a movement of his head said the formation that we received yearning, stating that Janette was on the way to a speedy recovery, caused my boy to rejoice to that extent that when y<?u him he was in a very lnebriyed condition. In fact, he was drunk.”. Again the responsive movement of the head. _ “When you were found ,in the alley between Monroe and Madison streets with the dirk blade sheathed in your bosom, Robert was found lying beside you, his right hand encircling the hilt that buried tlse Wade in your breast.” A look of pain and a negative movement of-dNse bead of the young man followed the banker’s assertion. “Sty son is confined at the central station Charged with having attempted your assassination.” *'Ke—he should not be,” said Lawrence faintjjf;. “It tvas not he who attempted my life.” “I was fully satisfied of that,” said the banker, “and as neither of you had been rifled of. your possessions, robbery was not thetAnotive that impelled the crime. Dp you know who your assailant was?” JJLdft not,” was the answer. “He stated that he had assisted Robert to descend the stairs from a—a ” “I understand," said the banker; “from the rooms of a gambling house. Was this the man who assaulted you?’’ “It—it was very dark,” said Lawrence faintly; “but I believe it to have been that man. He was assisting me' to—carry Robert to the hotel. I think wo stumbled into the alley—l was stricken and know no more.” “That will do now,” said the doctor. “Your son is clearly exonerated. I can allow Lawrence to talk no more. One moment and I will accompany you to the station.” “I had a partial view of the man’s face before we reached the alley,” said Lawrence. “Somewhere I have seen it before. Cannot Robert recall ” “fsottong,” said the banker, "nothing. And not another word. Yon have spoken those that will release my son. Spare noither.Ume nor .money on this cose, doctor. Lam-fttHeiens that my future son-in-law shall soon be himself again.” “I trust his confinement will not be for long,” said the doctor. “Should it, I fear I shall have to call on Miss Grace to perform the duties of cashier of the bank.” “I fear, sir, that I should prove utterly incompetent. I am vory sorry for your son’s detention and rejoice that he may be immediately released.” “Thank you, my dear girl. Robert is a good boy, eveniif he did transcend the limits of reason op yesterday. He is young. It will not happen again.” “Please do not write Laura of this mishap, Mr. Kellogg.” “Bless you, boy, not a word. Gome, doctor, if he must cease-talking, we must go. The police must strike another trail. They must round up some more suspects.” “What, in your opinion, was the motive for this crime?” the physician asked as the two men were nearing the station. “I am lost to conceive, doctor. It is evident that the intent was to murder Terry, and that accomplished to divert suspicion from the anther of the crime. I tremble to think of the position my boy would have been in had the blow proved fatal.” The two men now entered the office of Inspector Hunt. “How did you leave Terry?” was the question from the officer’s lips. “Oh, he will pull through,” said the doctor. “He will be back at his desk in thirty days nt most. But you have the wrong man in confinement.” “How is that?”

“I allowed Terry to speak. He states that it was not Robert Kellogg who attempted the assassination.” “Not Robert Kellogg!” exclaimed the inspector. “Not the man found with hn hand yet clutching the hilt of the weapon? Why, it could be no other. I have said, and I'will say again, that the young mag did not know what he was doing. But he must be guilty.” “Have you seen the dealer at the gambling room T’ asked the banker. “Yes, and am more than ever satisfied of Robert’s guilt. He was there playing faro. The dealer states that another gentleman was seated at the table beside him, and that he noticed they very frequently called for the sideboard decanter. He states that soon, seeing that Robert was too drunk to play the game with intelligence, he suggested that the young man go home. The gentleman seated at the table beside him also ceased playing and assisted Robert down to the street, remarking that he was liable to break his neck. He states further that not five minutes had elapsed before this man returned and inquired for a silk handkerchief that be had dropped on the floor. He asked him what he had done with Robert. He replied that he had left him quarreling on the street with a man who said his name was Terry and who stated that he would carry him home. Robert, he said, did not wish to accompany him and they were quarreling as Terry dragged him off.” “What became of this man?” asked the banker. “W’hy, noticing about this time, just after tfie patrol wagon passed, the dealer says, that it was twelve o’clock, he closed the games, and all parties passed down the bafcdr^ataiiilji.'That:_is all "he knows about the matter, and it leaves no doubt in my mind as to how the affair occurred.” “Does the dealer know who this man was 1 ?’ .-it. ’ :i : *Why, he states, . Mr. Kellogg, that he has visited the place betohe, but that fie ■is not acquainted with his, name. Qfi, the man is all fight, lie would not have .returned -had ! he 1 not been. Thete .wak' bo evidence'ofi tetcitement on his part.” “Then you still persist in thinking that my son was the author of the crime, inspector T* “Certainly I do. Though the author, I can easily see that for certain reasons

Terry has «0 wish to prosecute the ease. I will go over and see him. It he states to me positively Mist Robert was not his assailant,; I wfil release the young man from custody. It would be impossible for tbe'Ktate even though be was caught almost;in-the act.” “Do you doubt our statement#?” ashed, the banker indignantly. “Not at all, not at all, my dear sir; bat if Terry should die and I was questioned, either at the coroner's. iaqueotor byAbe, district attorney, I would not desire to state that a suspect's father and the physician attending a murdered man told me thus and so. Oh, no; I would prefer to ence that Robert Kellogg was not his assailant.’ ” 1 he ‘‘Ptoyou go and ascertain if he recollects anything of moment.” “Very good. Lieutenant, if any one calls for me, inform them that I am below.” “I have patients that need my attention,” said the doctor, “and if I can be of no further service ” “Oh, I am under many obligat|p|pjsf you, doctor,” said the banker. “We heed detain longer* ’ Mr. Kellogg andi|he Inspector were soon again in Robert’# cell. (To be continued.!