Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 10, Number 12, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 20 September 1879 — Page 1

Vol. IO. No. 12.

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

Twelve Pages.

A MOTHERS HEART.

A Utile d-eaming. such as mothers know A little lingering over dainty things A happy heart, wherein hope all aglow

Btrlkt* like a bird at dawn that wakes and sings— And that in all.

A little clasping to her yearning breast A little musing over future years A hefu-t that prays, -'Dear Lord, thou

Knowest best,

Bat spare my flower life's bitterest rain of tears—" And that is all. A little spirit speeding through the night

A little home grown lonely, dark aid chill A sad heart, groping blindly for the light

A little snow clad grave beneath the hill— And tliat is all.

A little gathering of life's broken thread A little paience keeping back the tears A heart that singn, "Thy darling Is not dead,

God keeps her safe through bis eternal years"— And that Is nil.

—on,—

The Shadow Detective.

BT MARLIKE MANLY.

Authoror Gold Golch," "PaHdy Ellis, the Prairie Chief," "Dick Sharpley, the Cinclnaaii Detective," "Diamond Cut Diamond,'' "Sore Shot,'etc.

CHAPTER I.

'A TBRIUBLR ORIM8.

A broad silver cresent hung trembling above the western horizon, as though undecided whether to sink out of sight or remain to face the myriad of bright etars tbat dotted the azure vault of beaven.

Silence, deep and profound, brooded over the slumbering earth beneath, save when

Home

All waa silent a* death around him. Gliding under the fruit trees and among the bushes with the noiseless power* of a, snake, the dark form approaohed the house. Through the inter sttaes among the branches he could see thellgbt shining from the open window of the library, aid upon this be kept bis eyes glaod, as though it was his destl nation.

A tree grow alose to the house, the branches of which atretohed past the open window. Reaching this, the-shad-owy form mounted with the agility of an acrobat.

Not a leaf seemed to tremble under his movements, and not a branch rub bed against the house to give token of his presence.

The human ape at last reachod the coping, and launched his body from the tree to the woodwork above the lower windows. Along this be carefully made his way until the window was gained Uuconsatoaa-ef the eyes glaring in at him, the old mister continued reading his papers and floating over their content*.

At Jaat be earns to one that excited him more than any of the rest. As he trend this he straek the paper violently several times with bis hand. "Aha, you viperi you thankless snake In the grass, wfcom I have fostered In my bosom for se many guars it was meet that you should turn against me at last and disobey u»y wishes. We will meet no more. Aad I bad grown to love htm, too, as thought my chilled heart could nev«r love again. Ah me! the years have flown like wildfire since I sent my eon Doualdaway disinherited. Mr eon, did I sat? rather the son of the dertl, for I doubt not but what be baa felt (he rope around his throat long ere tbla."

There was a gritting sound, not unlike teeth grating together, behind the old miner, but if he heard it he must have thought the breexs was causing the branches of the elm to scrape against the bouse, for he {Aid no attention to it. He bad now lain down the paper that had called up these bitter reflections, and seemed to be living over again the past. "Eight years ago Donald struck me, and then fled into the world. I disinherited him and then sent for my only nephew, John Blake, who has been my son until now. Then trouble ootnes again we quarrel orer the trifling matter of a girl I want him to marry the uelresa of Heatbeote, and he decllnea, formoih, because he has fttllen in love with some penniless obit of a girl. I have sent him to her never *gain will I look upon his face. My wealth, for which I have toiled eo long, shall go to found an for lunatics, audita first two

asylum

tf

farmer's faithful watchdog

gave tongue in answer to a bark coming faintly with the gentle night breeze from far away over the hills.

Oth Nathan Blake sat alone in his 11 bmry, examining a bundle of papers that be had taken from his esorltoire in the corner.

He was a strange old man, canning and unscrupulous. Of course, with thee© qualities he had amassed a fortune and all throngh the neighboring country he was known as a wealthy man.

While he "was seated in htseasy chair, and reading the old documents with fro qnent chuckles, as if their contents amused him not a little, a human form was moving without.

The mansion was surrounded by a high stone wall, somewhat dilapidated, but still in a serviceable condition. Over a part of this stone wall the dark figure already alluded to made his way.

Having clambered to the top, be leaped boldly into the shrubs (hat lay in the garden "inside the wall. Then he crouched low, as II! fearful that thoslight noise he had made in this might have beeniieard.

The -old miser's words ended in a laugh that was fiendish enongh to wake a cold shiver run through one's frame. In the midst of it he turned around to throw the letter that bad brought up these reminiscences into hia waste basket. This movement brought him face to face with the man who bad entered the window eo silently, and stood behind him during bis soliloquy.

The lamplight fell upon a well formed figure, dressed in a gray suit. Upon his head he wore a slouch hat, and half of bis face was covered with a black mask. Below this oould be seen the end a of a long brown mustache.

Although the hat shaded the upper part of his features, through the holes in the mask the eyes of the man gleamed like two coals of fire, as they wore fastened upon the miser. "John!" fell from the lips of the old man, aa a shudder ran through his frame.

There was no answer, s*ve an inarticulate mutter of some word by the intruder, half under his breath but the miser saw the gleam in his eyes grow fiercer, and be slipped from bis chair to the floor.

Nearer came the masked figure with hands outstretched. The miser's eyes were glued upon tbeehlning orbs under the broad hatritn, and he drew away as If from a serpent. "John, John!" he said, in a husky voice, "what would you dot Surely you would not hurt me, your unoleT I will renounce all my proposals you shall marry whom you will, but for heaven's sake take those eyes off my face! Come no nearer—off, off! Oh, beaven! I am choking, chokies, cbo——"

With a leap like that of a tiger, we masked man had sprung upon his victim, and the two rolled over upon the floor, the miser underneath. The strong hana of the fierce assassin gripped the throat of the old man, and choked back the cries which he would have given utterance to.

They struggled thus for almost half a minute. Although the miser waa no match for bis assailant In point of strength, desperation nerved his arms, and ne succeeded in tear!ug away the hand at hia throat.

A wild, piercing ory rang out, that echoed through the great house. The aasaaaln uttered an oath, and once more gripped the throat of the miner.

Footsteps were heard upon the stairs, and In another minute the room would be entered by the domestics.

There was no time to torn. The right arm of the murderer was raised, and just as the teeth of the old mieer closed upon his other arm like a tiger, something flashed In the lamp llgh^ there was a dull thud, and all was over.

By this time the flying footsteps were near the door. Throwing the miser from him, the masked man sprang from the window and oast hlmseu headlong out.

It waa a terrible right that met tbe eyes of those who cam* rustling into tbe library Just after the assassin sad vanished.

Old Nathan Blake bad drawn himself up Into a koot, and such was the agony that convulsed his frame, that his glaring eyes stared tbem In tbe (ace. From his breast protruded the handle of the apon that had taken his life.

Who has done this foul deed?" said tbe horror stricken butler, aa he raised hia master's bead gently. remblli

The old man's trembling finger pointed to tbe window, and his voioe attempted to pronounce the name of hia nephew. "John, it was John BJ oh, mercy, mercy) is this death?*

Ills head foil back, and the butler felt a terrible shudder ran throngh tbe whole frame of the miser.

wl wW eefkfbeHerwili be John and all was over, sod that he b«M a corpse Ut ht« ,Jd«. I

Then

his arms,

he knew that

MI jrf

Through the next weary hour the butler watched eagerly for his visitors, pitying first tho oil man, and then the absent one upon whom the crime was to fall. W

Was John Blake guilty

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 20, 1879.

'•UPON HIS KNEES IN FRONT OF THE FIRE-PLACE WAS THE OWNER OF HEATHCOTE, HI8 DRESS DISARRANGED, HIS HAIR DISHEVELED, AND HIS FACE HAGGARD. PAPERS WERE SCATTERED AROUND, WHICH HE SEEMED TO BE HURRYING INTO THE FIRE-PLACE WITH A SAVAGE SATISFACTION. .. .f

In the doorway stood the fat cook, ber face frozan with horror, and beside her the stableman and plow boy, who bad been eating their supper when the old man's ailriek echoed throughout the house. "There has been a foul murder com mitted here," said the butler, sternly. "Andy, saddle the horse and hasten to tbe doctor's. Not that he can do any good to the poor soul here, but he may advise us. Martin, help me carry the poor master to bis bed."

The plowboy rushed out to the stable, and was soon beard galloping away like the wind. Martin could not be hired to touch tbe murdered man, for be had tbe soperstitlous dread of death that belongs to ignorance so Nathan Blake was allowed to lie where be had fallen.

The old butler was tremb lng himself, but it was not from fear ot tbe dead man. In his mind the words uttered by the miser were ringing their constant changes. "They quarreled last night now he lies there dead, and with his last words accuses his nephew ot murdering him. It is John's knife that has done tbe cruel deed. Who drove it home? Heaven help thepoor boy if he has done this deed. How can it be? He so good and generous, so noble and kind, stoop to become a criminal I can hardly he lieve it. I suppose Dr. Sawyer will bring the coroner with him, for this must be iuvestigated. Much as I love J'hn Blake if he has so far forgotten the divine law as to murder bis unole, my old master, I could see him bung for It. Poor old man, poor old Nathan Blake!"

CHAPTER IL i.

... DUKE DARRBL'S LITTLE POINTS.

It was ten o'clock in the morning. The sun bad mounted blgb In the heavens, and was pouring down his warmth upon the earth.

In spite of the neat, quite a crowd bad gathered in the large room and ball of Nathan Blake's mansion. Tbe rumor that a terrible murder had been committed aroused the oountrv folks and town people as nothing bad done for a long time, and with gaping mouths and horror stricken eyes they crowded Into the house.

The coroner's Inquest was lu session. This Individual was a small slsed man with yellow chop whiskers aod a fiery red race. He possessed a voloe that seemed to come from his boots, and considered it his duty to browbeat witnesses Into saying anything be put into their mouths.

It waa not often such a ease foil into the hands of Coroner Brad lev, and be felt himself a very consequential

[person-

His jury had been imptneled. and were sMted in a row upon one side of the room looking as solemn aa so many owls. In front of tbem, and covered Nrith a aheet lay a rigid form. It waa all that waa left of poor old Nathan

Blake. Just before tbe inquest commenced a horseman, riding past, caught sight of the crowd and turned hia steed Into the yard.

He was a man with long hair, and a face unreadable aa that of the Sphinx. To the honest observer he was only a countryman, attracted pj curiosity to tbe spot.

evil doers as though he constituted judge and jury in himself. Of late it was known that there were illicit distilleries at work in this portion of Iwtofcucky, but even the keenest detective had failed to find a clue whereby they might discover the men who were evading the government tax, and almost in despair they had sent out Duke Darrel and his posse. It be was hook winked then the case must be given up as hope-

••vVhat is matter, comrades? Why does zo crowd gather about in zis waj*?" asked the seeming tarmer of a countryman. "Thar's been murder done old man Blake was killed last night, and they do say as how his nephew John Blake did it with a knife. I halnt been in yet, but the coroner is holding bis court an' it ye want to hear the bloody particulars, stop in."

The detective gave a low whistle. "That I will, oomrade an' It's in my line, too. I'm an author, yeesee, an' alters on the lookout for ze incidents. Keep your eyes open forz^ 'Red Right Hand.' and you'll see za whole business in it.''

So saying, the long baired author threw h'ls bridle over a post, and dismounting with many a grunt aud groan at "them rheumatic old less 'at migntas well bnlong to z3 last century, they were so stiff," be elbowed his way through tbe crowd, and reached tbe room ju^fa as the first wltuess was placed upou tbe rack.

This was the doctor. j, He related haw he bad been iSalled and arrived at the mansion to find tbe old man dead. At the coroner'* sugges tion be bad made an autopsy, and this post mortem examination bad revealed the fact that a knile had caused immediate death by pawing through certain parts of tbe human body whtch the doctor proceeded to name In his diagnosis ot tbe case.

He was a personal friend of the ooroner, who addressed him aa a gentleman. "Doctor, how long oould a man live after being struck In that way?" "I should say not over a minute at tbe most—perhaps not ten seconds." "Is tbat tbe knife you took from the wound?" banding the medioal man tne weapon. $£ "It Is." "You can swear to it i. "I can, readily." "State your reasona for being so positive, doctor," and tbe coroner complacently stroked bis face. "When I drew the knife out I examined It cloeely. You will see It is of a peculiar pattern. I have seen foreign service, and knew at once that It was made of Damsscua steel, a rare article in this country. Moreover, I read the name scratched upon tbe blade. It was John Blake."

A sensation wa* here aeen in the crowd. Nearly every one of them knew tbe young man and thought the world of him. '-Is the name there now?" "It la." "Hare you ever aeen the blade before?" "I have." "Whom?" "In John Blake's desk."

Another sensation among the spectators, during which thedocter retired, and the butler was called up. Tbla worthy bad decided not to criminate John Blake or commit himself in any way.

He therefore took defense in an assume* dignity, but be waa no match for the

Tbe reader may aa welt understand, however, that tbis singular personage was no other than the Shadow Detective, Duke Darni, a man whose reputation in the revenue service wae beyond that of toy soU««gu«j aud who waa feared by wo ild have beeo, and firmly declared

red-faced

little coroner. He led tbe

butler into all s®rta of pitfalls, and wheo tbat worthy stepped down aud out it was under tne eonvitstion tbat instead of doing John Blake any good, be had sworn toevee worse than what tbe truth

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V«. Ut that the old man's last words had been: '•John Blake is my murderer." "Bless me," muttered the detective under h's breath, alter witnessing this surprising display of coercion, ."what a bullyrag of a cironeritis. He makes up hs mind as to what the case is in tbe beginning, anJ then usaa all his power to drive his witnesses in the same direction. I shall take hold of this matter.

If John Blake is guilty ue deserves to die, but I cannot believe he is such a fool as to do murder in such an open thli

way, leaving all the evidence behind biin, aud then walking about unooucerned as I saw him tbiu morning. There is a mystery here, but if so then it 1b tbe most tangled up piece of business I ever got bold of. There, tbo mill has started again."

Tbe cook was the next witness. She held a corucr of her apron to her eyes every time the name of this "poor, dear master" was mentioned. Under the skillful manipulation of the coroner she was made reiterate the butler's testimony, even to the niiuutest detail. When this was accomplished, tbe coroner, with the air of a victor, waved h«r down, de laring that he bad heard sufficient. "What a lunatic," muttered tbe detective, "he'd commit a second murder."

Then the plowboy waa put through the same process, and made bis statement, assisted by sundry bints from the coroner, and helps over the hard plaoes. Following him came several personages, some of whom in reality knew nothing concerning tbe tragedy beyond what they had beard, but uuder tbe manipulation of the red faced officer they disclosed a remarkable amount of knowledge bearing upon the affair, all of which tended to oonnrm what bod been already told. "By Oeorge, he's a remarkable man, but he's mistaken his vocation. As a criminal lawyer he would make a brilliant sucoeas in tbe tombs," said the Shadow Deteotlve as he saw tbe evidence In the case piled up like so many blocks.

The stronger circumstances pointed toward tbe guilt of John Blake the more firmly tbe deteotlve believed In his innooenoe. "It Is too oomplete there not tbe least sign of trying to oover his tracks. Left to these oountry bumpktoa, John Blake would he buns within a month. I shall take up tbe trail, and If there Is a conspiracy against him Duke Darrei will know it before long. Ab! whom have we here? Some one who Is expected to cap tbe climax if I read the ooroner's face arigbt."

The last witness was now brought up, He was a tall fellow, who oonfoased to being one of the cook's lover*. On tbe evening in question be had been snugly ensoonced in tbe elm tree at a point which commanded a good view both of tbe kitchen below an4 tbe library above. What he waa doing there was nobody'a business, to be said, but tbe shrewd coroner, who wished to make all be could of tbla witneas, managed at length to get out the truth. He was waiting tor the stable man and plowboy to finish their supper aud go, so be ooula see tbe oook alone.

Having gained this point the coroner kept his witneas to the main object. Sam Rowley theu told bow he had heard a stone fall, and knew some one waa climbing over the wall. Then he saw a dark form underneath him. At first he thought tt waa a rival lover come to see his dear cook, but presently tbe figure mounted tbe tree, left it for the casing above the lower window, and then crawled into the library.

Tbe man g*ve a vivid description of what oiTOtrred there, while his audienoe held their breath. Liko a good general tbe coroner kept, blm to the track, and tbe whole scene waa minutely detailed, Including tbe plunge of tbe murderer

out of the window after bis crime was committed. I1 This closed the evidenoe. ife

Without leaving their seats the jury brought in a verdict tbat "tbe man upon whom they were sitting, Nathan Blake, came to his death through tbe instrumentality of a knife-dagger, said instrument being in tbe bands of John Blake at the time, and that John Biake^waa therefore guilty of tbe murder."

By Oeorge," muttered the'amused indignant detective, "ooroner's ju-

yot

rice take a great deal upon themselves out in thia benighted country. Why don't they further declare that tbe said John Blake shall be bung on such day. There go the illustrious gentleman. Good day, my nabobs we'll see how your eyee pop open when Duke Darrell gets to work and unearths this matter. I can put in an hour to good advantage, and then goon to see my moonshiner friends."

Tee house was cleared of the crowd by tbe butler. Tbe coroner and sheriff went off together to swear out the warrant that would throw John Blake into jail, innocent or guilty.

Meanwhile tbe butler came upon the seeming countryman, and was about to order bim out, only he didn't. Taking bim aside, the detective told bim along yarn about being a newspaper reporter, and that be was writing vp the latest sensation.

Tbe glib tongue of Duke Darrei did much toward mollifying the butler, for every one is susceptible to flattery, but the gold coin which he slyly pressed into the palm of that functionary was more powerful, and be gave tbe distinguished gentleman peruiibbicn to ramble wherever he chose about the house and grounds.

Tbe detective spent some time in the room with tbe dead man. His keen eyes discovered between tbe teeth of Nathan Blake a small strip of cloth wbicb he had torn lrom the sleeve of his murder er. This Duke Darrei placed carefully away In bis note book, making this memorandum for future use. "Without a doubt, in his agony, the old man sank his teeth into the arm of the man who was struggling with him. 1 find his teeth well preserved, with the two front ones of both jaws missing, so that the marks would make something of an oval shape, with skin uninjured at tbe top and bottom—i. e. a very intf-or-tant clew."

Leaving poor Nathan Blake, Duke Darrei waltted to tbe window. His sharp eyes readily saw how tbe assassin had climbed up tbe tree and then crept along tbe casing. He went out of tbe window and descended to the ground with an agility tbat was amazing, for his rough dress gave him the appearance of a heavily-made farmer, uncouth and clumsy.

Und'erneatb the window he got down on bis hands and knees to examine lhe ground. It had been rather soft during the night, but the bot sun bad hardened It. "Here is where he alighted, falling upou his knees. There bis hands made a deep impression lu tbe mud. Ha£ what is this? The plain imprint of Bignet ring. Could anything have been more fortunate? That seal shall yet be the means of banging you, milord. There, I have it intact. A Maltese cross cut out of the stone—probably a blood stone. Another clew. Then upon the window I saw tbe mark of a bloody hand, with the end of tbe third finger misaing. Aha! I shall trail you vet, bird of prey Here is bis footprint, clear as the noonday tread. What a size. Lei me measure it twelve—almost thirteen inches. Pshaw, John Blake has tbe nattiest little foot of any man I know. I begin to smell something rotten in the State of Denmark, as Shakspeare bas It, Now then, I reckon I've spent enough time bore, so I must ride on. One thing I am ready to swear to, and that is. that in spite oi tbe circumstantial evidence against him, I believe John Blake innooent of this foul deed, He will never be able to prove it himself, so there is only my arm between blm and tbe rope. But it is a strong arm, aye, and one on which a great deal has rested before now. I will unravel this tangled thread and woe be unto the man on whom I pounce."

Muttering thus to himself, he left tbe garden, and mounting his horse rode off at a gallop, a oloud of dust enveloping his figure.

Hardly bad the detective reached tbe

Sushes

ate than a bead was thrust out of the a little beyond tbe spot where he had been kneeling and examining tbe marks.

This bead was connected with a short neck and muscular body. A pair of whiskers adorned the face, whioh If false abowed great dexterity in tbelr construction.

His even were gleaming, and looked much like tboae of the assassin when besprang at old Nathan Blake as would a tiger.

Slowly the man crept outof tbe bushe* and crouched behind them. When tbe detective galloped off down the road, this person sprang over to the fenoe with several huge bounds, and glared after him. There waa a look of mingled amazement and fury upon his teoe. Hot, burning words fell from blslipe. "Fiends and furies, what does tbl» mean? That man is the terror of my life. I have reason to know and fear blm. What Is Duke Darrei doing here? Curses on him, he will spoil the whole

Rote.

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Tenth Year

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What was be kneeling there forf be be on tbe scent already? By tbe

wera, I seem to see a noose swing of me. What remedy is tl tor it? None but more blood. Have a care, my government bird, or you will run across something. The dagger, ay, tbe dagger!"

CHAPTER III. T8X DEAD SECRET.

Heathcote stood upon a blgb bill. It was a grand bouse both outside and in, and by tbe neighbors who had never seen anything equal to it, tbe mansion was called "TbePalace."

Where the money bad come from to build it, not a soul but the master seemed to know. It was not so many yearn since Abner Crawford bad gone from their midst a poor man, and before a twelvemonth had flown he came back wealthy.

Where he bad struck his bonanza no one oould say. Speculation was rite, and all sorts of rumors floated about the neighborhood, but Abner soon bad [Continued on Second Page.]

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