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f If;-- i kuiHim or AN AKTIfcT tn CHIML Cf. - ICopjriyht, IS: 7, by U. l Iutnaiu'n Son. hCONTlMEU. "How much vou tuako cut of little things," isaid Buirems admiringly. "bbe camo probably to hoar what passed between the man unci woman in tho next compartme nr. CVrtaiuly she sat us close o the partition us possible, fcho staid until alter they had gone. This sho would naturally have done to avoid detection, but I havo stronger proof in the fact that near tho pate I lind an imprint from the foot of tho man, and across it is one of the wom an. Tho latter is plainer than tho first und was consequently made last. By plainer I mean that the outline of tho boIo is easily traced across tho larger footprint, which it obliterates where the two cross. Thero is another thins worth noting Observe that this woman went almost in a straight line from tho pate into the summer house. In depart iiig she came out in a straight line to ward the house and then turned and went to the pate. Just where this turn occurred she stopped for a moment. " "Why, you seem to discern a great deal. How do you deduce that?" "Very easily and almost certainly. If fine walks or runs, the footprints must be single and about equidistant. At the point where I say that she stopped I lind two imprints nearly side by side. o she stopped, but why:" "Can you also tell that?" "I think that I could make a very shrewd guess. But we will leave her for the prcst nt and take up the-next set, Ne. l, a man's. Hecvidntly had an appointment, for lie, too, e ntere el by tho small gate and went directly to tho summer houso. He it turned as he came, whieh strengthens the theory that his sole object in coming was to meet some cue at tliis place. That it was not to uh e t tho woman whose movements I have followed is shown by the fact that his steps pa's the i omi'artmcnt M, and po to the other, N. There is another point of great interest he was attacked by a dep." "What? You don't mean to say tfcat the footprints tell you that?" "As clearly as though they spoke. I cannot trace the dog's movements, for his marks are all over the lawn, but at one point cu my diagram you will tb serve that No. 3's feet show a prrat many imprints in one place. Here ho was stopped by the dop, whose foot marks are numerous at the point indi cated. Their exaggerated shape, too, shows clearly that the dop jumped upon the man, and that in falling back upon his haunches the maik of his whole leg was made. Again, firm this point to ward tho pate 1 note that the stride of the man increased. This means that ho ran away. You followed the other two. What did you discern r?" "I pave you my drawings, and yea have them shown quite accurately. No. 2, made by a woman, commence s, as you know, at the ste ps of the dining room piazza and leads to the summer house. From there I traced it over to the river, Where I found a boat landing. Thence the re turne d to the steps again. No. 1, a man's, commences at the liver bank about yon loet south of tho landing and leads directly to the steps. Thence it follows around the house and out through tho main pate. Outside, un fortunately, our party this morning made so many footprints that I could not follow No. 1." "Did you cross the river, Tom?" "No, but there is a boat there, and I meant to suggest that we go over to gether. I think we will find evidencoou the other sido that my lady crossed last night. Why else should sho havo gone to the boat?" "Certainly; we will po at once, but first I have something more to commu nicate. Your theory was that tho shot was fired from without and by a. wom an, and you inclined to tho belief that you knew tho identity of that woman. What, then, do you think of this?" He handed Burrows a beautiful silver mounted revolver, in the chambers of which wero four loaded cartridges and one empty cartridge. The weapon had apparently been recently fired. Burrows looked at it a moment in amazement and then asked: "Where did you find this?" "Outside of the summer house, lying in tho snow, just win re I claim that tho woman stopped. Now you see what I meant when I said I could guess why she did so. But you havo not seen all yet. Thero is a name on it. Bead." Burrows examine d tho butt more at tentively, and there saw a piece of plate le t into the! stock, and neatly engraved there cu the name, "Alieo Marvel." " Mr. Barnes, what do you make of that?" "I think that someono had that pistol lapt night and fired it. From other evi dence that I have I should say it is a circumstantial probability that Miss Marvel herse If w as he re last night and fired her pistol." "This is tho seccnel time you havo used that phrase, 'circumstantial prob ability.' Won't you explain it?" "Certainly. Wo oro considering a case purely e;n circumstantial evidence. I have ull my life made a specialty of fuch, anel I diviele it into three grade?, according to the leigical de duction which it indicates. The lirst of these I call a 'circumstantial possibility.1 For exam ple, had the wound in this case been differently locate d it might have been A 'circumstantial possibility' that it was a suicide. Second, we havo a 'cir cumstantial probability' such as I have here and will explain. Third, the 'cir cumstantial proof where the attendant facta leave absolutely no room for doubt is in my experience a rare thing. " "I understand. Now will you tell me Xfbj J on think: it a clrctinutantUl rrob- I .iliiit? that Miss iiiarvel was here aud find the pistol? "Ficm tho facts which I have r.lre:.(?y given you I should say it was a ques tion whether the was hero or whethe r some cue e lse had her pistol. But 1 fouml another piftol." "The deuce you elidl" "And this one," producing a dupli cato of the one already shown, "also has a nameHarry Lucas. Now follow my argument Squire Olney told us that these two young people aro sweethearts. Tho tracks indicate that a woman play cd tho $py cn a man who came to meet another woman. Tho weapons bear tho names of a man and his twee tkcurt. Is it not plain? Miss Marvel came to hear what tho ether girl had to fay to her lover, and ho to her." ""ou are right, " said Burrows ex citedly, "and is it not equally cvielent that tho second woman is Miss Lewis? He member, tho meeting was in her own grounds." "I am moro inclined to think so than at first, though I do not commit myself yet. But thero is another matter worth considering. I found Lucas' weapon in the snow at the point whero I claim ho was attacked by tho dog. Thero is also a littlo blood stain" "Ah, I see, you nrguo that ho drew his pistol and fired at tho dog, and so account for the empty shell there? "Yes. But the blood stain is impor tant. I think that camo from a wound made by the dog's teeth. As the discol oration is visible, although somewhat covered, I believe the snow stopped shortly after. Thus I reckon that he left about 1 o'eloe k. The woman left after the smw had ceased." "You think Lucas shot at the deg anel dmpped his pistol in tho scrim mage. Do you think Miss Marvel shot at the dog also?" "That we must find out. I havo shown yem the1 probability of the case, ending with the idea that both ef theso pistol.-? were lired at the dep. But thero is another aspee t which you must neit neglect, and that is the 'circumstantial pessibility.' Ilenumber that both Lu cas anel this gin, aeroruing to . the tquire's story, had thrcate-ne d the dead man. They both came here armed, au cu usual thing for a woman nt all events, Purpose that Lucas saw Lewis through the window anel shot at him. The uoi-a may have attracted tho dog, and thnj that contest may havo occur red after tho discharge of the weapon, instead of be fern. Further, suppose that, seeing that her lover had left, tho girl had also taken aim at the same target. One shot may have made the hole in tho ceiling, and the other may have reached the mark." "Why, this becomes more complicated every minute. What about the pistol in Miss Lewis' room?" "Ah! That is the problem. But, come; we will go across the river." Thereupon they proceeded to tho boat lauding, marked L in tho diagram, and crossed in a light rowboat, which they found fastened at that place. On the other bank they found a continuation of the footprints marked No. 2. These led to the base of u gigantic maplo (11), around which a seat of boards had been arranged. Mr. Barnes examined tho speit critically and finally said: "I puess it was Miss Lewis after all. See, this tree is covered with carveel monograms of her initials anel Marvel's. Evidently this has been a trysting place for that pair of lovers. Hero is another evidence that the snow stopped shortly after the meeting at tho summer house, for, whe reas sho came here directly, he- footprints on this sido of tho river aro quite distinct, showing that tho snow ceased during her trip over to this place." 'She met a man here too. See his footprints. Could it have been tho lover this time I mean Marvel?" "Possibly. But let us tee if we can trace him to where ho crossed tho river, if indeed it was ho who did." They follenved the tracks, but they entered tho woods just back of the ma ple and were lost. However, a diligent search along the river bank discovered a track which emerged from tho wood und approached tho river. They pot into the boat, rowetl across to a point oppeisito and found thero the beginning cf the track on that sido marked in the diagram No. 1. "Tho directness of this trail from this point to tho house," said Mr. Barnes, "is circumstantial proof that the man crossed tho river with tho in tention of visiting that place. For what? Whethe r ho was or wus not Lu cas, he had already hael an interview with Miss Lewis, anel therefore his visit was scarcely to her." "How could it bo Lucas?" "Supposing he intended to kill Lew is after being interrupted by tho dog, could ho not havo gemo around by theso woods and returned later to eompleto his work? It is barely possiblo that the whole thing was planned, that tho in terview at tho summer house was a pre liminary, and that Miss Lewis went to tho maple, whe re she was later joined by Lucas, who told her tho result of his firfct attempt anel arranged tho second." "How could he know that he had failed in his first shot?" "I dein't like to fedlow this lino of thought much, as it is ull guesswork. Still, it is one ei the possibilities, and in caso it turns out wrong will teach you how easy it is to misconstruo cir cumstantial evidence. To continue it, suppose that at tho meeting over the river Miss Lewis and Lucas determined to finish what they had be gun. Tho ob ject would be that by killing old Lewis tho prosecution of Marvel would cease, the complainant being elead. Miss Lew is unelertakes to furnish a weapon be cause ho had lost his. She owns one, as the squire has explained. Therefore Lu cas enters the house through the side door, and from the dining room has ao cess to the girl's bedroom, where she gives him a pistol ; thence he easily en ters the parlor. Such an arrangement of event would readily account for her de stroying the evidence that ber weapon bad been used. But don't lay too much ttresa on all this, for, as I said, it is Turely guesswork, mere is a flaw in it too. Why did Miss Lewis leave her coadjutor on the wrong side of the river when they separated, and thus force him to wado a stream of water on a cold night?" "That may be discovered later. But look; there tho is, leaving the house." "Now, Tom, I will give you a chance to do some work alone. That girl has gone to mail her letter. Tho nearest postoftico is in tho vicinity of the bridgo aud in a private house. See; sho is go ing in that direetieui. By the reiad it is moro than a mile. By tho river you can readily reach there first, as it is shcrter. How as hard us you can and hide near the ostenice'. If sho enters, wait till she ce'me s out anel then gei in and learn tho adelre ss on the lctte-r. You will liml it in a eupbe aril in the hall, whero tho mail is kept. That is tho main thing which we w ant. I will wait for you at tho house unless seam tiling should turn up to make me change my plans." Burrows was already in the boat and staited as seen as these last woreis were littere d. Mr. Barnes w aited till the girl was out cf sight and then returneel quickly to the heuso. He went straight to Virginia's reumi and over to the writ ing cabinet in w hich sho had placed tho pistol. To obtain this he meant to break the lock if necessary. Greatly to his surprise, ho found the key in tho lock. He eiencd the drawer, but did not find therein the object of his search. Look ing around the room, ho was startled to find the pistol lying on the bed. Ho picked it up and noted that it was of tho same pattern as the other two which ho already had and, like them, bore a plato with its owner's name, in this in stance, "Virgiuia Lewis." "Is my last guess correct," thought Mr. Barnes, "anel did that young girl instigate and assist at a murder? Why, what is this? This weapon has an empty cartridge in it." He examined it closely and gently raised the hammer. "By heaven, sho has replaced a shell for the one which sho removed. 1 seo it all. She wishes to get the be st of mo in some way. She knows that I picked up tho shell which she hail drawn and there would no longer be anything gained by reloading tho pistol. Why, sho has even taken tho precaution to so place tho cartridge that tho hammer rests in tho littlo iudontatiem made in the rLvn when lired, and there, on the desk, la a littlo box of empty shells. Evidently if I showed the one which I have she would laugh and show a box full. However, I still havo tho brush with which sho cleaned the barrel. But I am wasting time. This girl will out wit Burrows. I must go after her my self." When passing through tho dining room, he hael noticed behind the door several hooks on which hung some clothing. Hastening there, he found theso to consist of two suits of overalls, such as farm hands use when at work and evidently left there when the own ers had last taken them off at a meal time. In New England tho farmers and their help often eat together. Mr. Barnes quickly elonned one suit of these and, taking some whiskers from his pocket, was soon sufficiently disguised. Having finished theso arrangements, he left the houso and hurried toward the Wudley's Falls postollice. CHAPTER IV. THE LETTER. When Mr. Barnes reached tho road, he started on a run, for he was anxious to overtake Virginia Lewis before sho should discover that she was watched by Burrows. After what he had just learned, he very much eloubted whether his young assistant would be able to circumvent this shrewd girl. It is not as easy to shaelow a person along a lonely country road as it might bo in a city, whero the crowded streets offer ready opportunities for hiding. As Virginia hael only a few minutes start of the detective anel walked at a moderate gait, Mr. Barnes caught sight of her just as she be gan to cross tho bridge. As she passed over it he noted that sho was attracteel by something, for she stopped, looked over tho rail and then around her in every direction. Mr. Barnes was glad that he had found a chance to assume some sort of dis guise, as thero was no way of avoiding her gaze. In a moment sho went on, and when he reached tho bridgo he saw at onco what had aroused her caution. It was the sight of her own boat, which Burrows had used to reach the place. As she knew that she had left it up tho stream the night before, its presence at this landing must have been sufficient to indicate to her that she was being followed, for she had evidently chosen tho time for her errand when she knew tho eletectives had gone off exploring near tho river bank. It was easy for her to guess that her departure from tho farm had been observed and that her own boat had brought a spy after her. Mr. Barnes was disappointed that she should havo thus been placed upon her guard. Sho would now almost certainly not post her letter at tho office. Sho walked on obout 100 yards beyond the bridge, and from tho ulcrt glances which sho cast about her ft was plain that sho was locking for tho detective, of whose presence sho felt assured. Sho passed tho postofllce, anel going a littlo farther entered a hoiv-o on tho opposite sido of tho road. Mr. Barnes did not follow, becauso there was nothing to be gained. She was beyond his reach for tho present, "and having seen him be hind her may have entered a friend's house merely to observe him as ho went by, being suspicious of strangers. Ho therefeire went into tho saloon where ho had met the squire that same morning. If Virginia was watching him, it would perhaps disarm her suspicion of him, since it was a natural place whereat one dressed as he was might stop. Fur thermore, being near the postoffice, he could watch that place and see if she mailed her letter herself or by proxy, sending tome one from where she was. He was scarcely within the doorway be fore he became aware of the presence of Tom Burrows, who was seated near the window and evidently watching" the postofllce. Fatisfleet, therefore, ' that there was no immediate need for him to do so also, and noticing that the place was more than ordinarily crowd cd and that the inmates were in deep conversation over somo very absorbing topic, which ho at onco guessed must bo tho murder, Mr. Barnes moved to tho back cf the store and mingled with tho lemngers there1. Almost the first person whom ho no ticed was Will Everly, tho young muu with whe'in he had had the brief con versation in the earlier part of the day. Ho was still stauehly defending his friend Marvel. "I te 11 you, Harrison," he was say- in, "it is wrong in vein to accuse Wal te rof this thing whe n you know very well that lit has not bee n in this neigh lorhood since the night of that party, whin he and Lewis had the spat" "Spat? That's a mild way ter put it when he trieel ter hheiot the old man." The speaker was the man who had given the inloimatiem abeiut the snow. "But I say, Eve rly, I don't exactly accuse Marvel. I merely say it's a bad business for him, si e in as Imav he threatened ter do this very thing." "Well, what if he did? A threat when a man is mad is a very different it She tt( tinted tnd looked over the mil. thing from actually committing a mur der. As to that, why, Lucas threatened him too." "Why, of course, I hope Marvel will come out all right. He's a fine fellow, and I 1 ill o him. It's a lucky thing tho squiro hael th -m detectives right on tho spot. They'll clear up matters mighty quick, I reckon. " " "Whatever they do, they won't find that Walter is in this ugly business. I can prove that ho was not in town any way." "How kin you do that?" Mr. Barnes became interested at once. "Why, I havo a letter from him this morning from Epping. " Beishl What does that amount ter? That's only five miles off." Mr. Barnes noticeel that Everly spoko louder than was absolutely necessary, and as he glanced toward Burrows oc casionally it seemed that his defenso of his frienel was in a measure meant for that eletective's ears. At this point a lad entered anel, approaching Everly, said: "Will, Miss Alice asks you if you can go as far as New Market for her." "Tell her I'll be with her us soon ns can hitch up my horse." As Everly started to po Mr. Barnes touche d him on tho arm and said: "Friend, if jou aro going to New Market I'll thank you to give mo a lift if you would be so kiuel. It will save me a long walk." "Who aro you?" Everly was suspi cious of strangers. I livo up on tho Nottingham road and am going to New Market to try for work on tho new factory they aro build ing. I am a carpenter by trade." All right," said Everly, after a lit tlo moro hesitation; "look out for nie as I come back, and I'll pick yon up." As soon as ho had gono Mr. Barnes took a notebook from his pocket and, tearing out a page, wrote as follows: Deah Tom It is of no uho. Sho mv the boat and lino taken tho alarm. I think she means to nencl tho letter to tho pOHt at New Market. If you seo mo, remain in tho wnijon with Everly. You will know that this mirmiso on my part is correct. In that case I will tuko caro of tho letter. Till no ono whero I have pone, even though I should not return for a day or two. Te-ll the squire to impanel bis Jury, turn tho Ixnly over to a den-tor for n jKHt mortem anel then adjourn until I pot buck. Meanwhilo kef p your eyes open. Watch vountr Lewis! Uemc-mber ho in a Htranerand bhould provo his identity beyond a doubt, especially if a will turns up drawn in hia fuvor. Pump him all you con without his suspecting that you have a motive. Baunes. Having written this note, tho next thing to do was to givo it to Burrows without arousing suspicion of collusiou. It must bo borno iu mind that every ono present knew that the man by tho window was a detective, and, further, that Burrows hael faileel to rccoguizo Mr. Barnes in his disguise. Tho latter went to the eloor anel stood thero a few minutes, whistling a tune that was a great favorito with Burrows. He kept this up until at length ho attracted his notice. As soon as this was accomplish ed, having his back to tho others, ho slightly lifted his falso beard, thus re vealing his identity, anel then held up the note. Suro then that Burrows un derstood him, he dropped into a chair, picked up a copy of tho Boston Herald which lay there and pretended to read, until Everly at length appeared in tho road. He then simply laid the paper down, having hidden tho note therein, and, joining Everly, was taken into the wagon. Thus nothing was left to Bur rows but to possess himself of the news paper and note, which he easily did. Keaching the houso into which Vir ginia had gone, the horso was stopped, ana loverly Jumped out. He started to enter the gate leading to tho dwelling, when the main door was opened, and a young woman, emerging therefrom, came down the gravel walk to meet nim. She greeted him familiarly, and they etood conversing in low tones for a few moments. Mr. Barnes watched them closely in bis endeator to see whether 6he intrusted a letter to his rnrn. lift did lint nctnallv detect her doing so, but ho saw by tho motion of Everly s arm that ho carefully placed something in the inner pocket of his coat. Satisfied that this was the letter the superscription of which ho was so anxious 10 se, ne ueiermim-u iu Keep his seat and accompany Everly to New Market. On the road thither ho at tempted but littlo conversation, fearing to reveal ins identity aim thus eiestroy all hopes of success. As his companion se e ine el littlo inclincel to talk, tlio trio. which occupied about three-quarters cf uu hour, was maiio in comparative silence. Arrived at New Market, ho deemed it best to alight as soon as they reached tho hotel. Entering, ho posted himself so as to watch whither Everly shoulel drive, and the latter, entirely uncon scious os to whom he Intel treiuglit with him, went straight to the? petsteitlice, sit uated alout a bleiek farther. With con siderable satisfaction Mr. Barnes saw him picsently emerge again and imme diately turn his horse's head homeward, thus showing that his solo erraml to the town had been to post tho letter. As soon us Everly was out of sight Mr. Barnes removed his disguise and, making a bundle of tho overalls, in trusteel it to the caro of tho hotel clerk to be kept until ho should call again. Ho then hurried over to tho iiostoflice. where he asked for tho postmaster. To this official he declared himself to be a detective and, stating that in his belief a letter had just becn mailed to an im portant witness in a caso which he was investigating, received permission to examine the letters uncanceled. This ho proceeded to do. and at lenuth ho found tho object of his search. Ho held in his hand a letter tho contents of which ho thought weiuld throw consid erable lipht em tho mystery. lie copieel tho address, which was as follows: "Walter Marvel, Esep, Portsmouth, N. II. Keep till called for." Leaving tho office, Mr. Barnes hur ried over to the railroad station, and purchasing a ticket fer Portsmouth was soon on his way thither. Arriving thero that same evening, he lest no timo in proceeding to call on the postmaster of tho city, and, ac quainting him with tho nature of his business, easily arranged a plan where by ho hoped to discover Walter Marvel. As tho man whom ho was seeking was an entire stranger to him. it would be impeissible to recognize him. Therefore ho determined to station himself at tho inquiry window and arranged a signal whereby the clerk was to warn him wheu any one should ask for a letter for W'a't'tr Marvel. As, however, ho was informed that the mail just in would not be ready for delivery until the following morning he went to a ho tel aud retired for the night. Tho postoffice opened at 7 o'clock. and promptly at that hour Mr. Barnes commenced his vigil. Ho did not have his patience very sorely tried, for it was scarcely 8 o clock when he received tho signal from the postal clerk and saw the letter handed to a man at the win elow. Not knowing whether this was Mar vel himself cr merely somo messencer. Mr. Barnes determined for tho present simply to follow him, moro especially as he did not break the seal of tho let ter, but after glancing at the address consigned it to his pocket. Leaviuc tho building, tho man proceeded to a small hotel, at a considerable distance from the postoffice and in the vicinity of tho docks. Mr. Barnes concluded that it was littlo more than a sailors' boarding house, and it puzzled him to guess why Marvel had chosen this place. Entering tho door, which led in on a level with the street, the man seateel himself on a chair and then, producing the letter, broke tho seal and read. The act satisfied Mr. Barnes thpt Walter Marvel was before him, but it suited him still to spy awhilo upon hia movements, hoping thereby to learn something. Of courso Marvel could not guess that tho man standing in the doorway was a detective or that ho was watched. Thereforo ho would act as his real intentions prompted him. He seem eel wholly absorbed in tho paper beforo him, which he read and reread a num ber of times, ending by crumpling it up in his hand and starting up from his chair. He stood gazing from tho win dow awhilo and then paced nervously np aud down. This lasted some min utes, when ho suddenly resumed his scat, took tho crumpled letter from his pocket where ho hael thrust it and care fully smoothed out tho creases on his kueo. He again read its contents over and over. Suddenly, with a smothered ejaculation, ho toro the letter into pieces and scattered them on tho floor. Then ho spoko a few words to tho hotel clerk and hurried up stairs. Mr. Barnes at once proceeded to col lect tho scattered. fragments of tho let ter and, carefully placing them in an envelope, consigned that to his wallet nntil such time as ho might bo ablo to match tho pieces together again. This done, ho quietly seated himself and waited. In about ten minutes Walter Marvel reappeared, coming down tho stairs, and hurried out to tho street, Mr. Barnes following him. He directed his courso toward the wharfs and finally walked to tho end of one, where ho went aboard a schooner lying there. By inquiring among the longshoremen the detective soon learned that this vessel, the Eclipse, was bound for the West Indies anel was to sail im mediately. Mr. Barnes saw at once that it was now time to take activo meas ures or he would loso his man after all. Boarding tho vessel, he sought out tho captain and explained to him what he wished to do. Tho master seemed of a enrly disposition and little inclined to render auy assistance. He did not, in deed, refuse to let Mr. Barnes seo Mar vel, tut he positively declined to take any, part in the matter himself. Descending to the cabin, almost tho first individual whom he met waa Mar vel, and Mr. Barnes, approaching him, addressed him as follows: 'Mr. Marvel, I believe?" "That is uy name, but you area stranger to mo." "Mr. Marvel, I have a very unplcas. out duty to perform and hope you will pardon mo if I proceed at once to ex. plain, as I fear that tho captain may sail ut uuy minute." "You cannot explain too quickly to suit me," replied Marvel. "Mr. Marvel, how long fa it eincn you left Wadley's Falls?" "Why Co you ask?" "Pleaso answe r mo first, and I prov iso full explanation afterward." "That arrangement does not suit mo. i'em aro a stranger to mo I do not cveii know how it is that you are acquainted with my name: anel I thereforo deny that, you have any right to question me." "Mr. Marvel, I urn u detective." "Well?" "A murder has been commit ted nt Wadley's Falls, aud" Mr. Barnes paused to note tho effect of his words but Marvel seemed turned to steme, lio was so impassive "will you venture) to guess who the victim is?" "John Lewis!" said Marvel in a hoarso whisper. Ho dropped into a chair aud buried his face in his hamls. His trouble seemed so poitruant thnt fn somo minutes Mr. Barnes could neit find it in Ins heart to disturb him. Finally, however, realizing that timo was pre'- cious, ho said: "Mr. Marvel, will you return witr, mo to Lee?" "Why should I?" answered Marvrl looking up suddenly, aroused by the question. "Because it may bo necessarv for rnn to provo your whereabouts on that night in order to disarm suspicion, and" "Do you mean to accuso mo of thi crime?" said Marvel vehemently. "1 never make an accusation till I have positive proof." returned Mr Bai ncs, "and that I havo not in this case- at least not vet. I advise vnn tn keep your temper and be puarded in what you say, fer your words mav bo used against you. " "You are insolent! How daro vou speak to mo in that way?" Come, Mr. Marvel: timo presses. Will you accompany me peaceably?" "Do you mean r.s your prisoner?" "No. Let us say as a witness." But at that word Marvel :aci!td and seem ed alarmed. All t!:a anger departed from his voice os ho said: "Havo you a warrant for my arrest? Can you forco me to ge?" Mr. Barnes shook his head negatively, and Marvel heaved a sigh of relief as he muttered: "Then I will not go. I cannot. I cannot." Mr. Barnes was nonplused. He had counted on finding Marvel willing nay anxious to return as scon ns ho shoulel know that thero was any possibility of his being implicated in the crime. But what was ho to do now that ho refused to go back? He could not compel him without a warrant, and that ho not on ly did not have, but could not procure before the vessel would sail. Ho deter mined to try to induce tho captain to delay starting, though with little hope of success, remembering how surly ho had just sfiovu himself. As ho antici pated, tho master declared that he would not chaugo his plans. Seeing that nothing was to be accom plished in this way, Mr. Barnes sought tho cabin, hoping even yet to persuade Marvel that his best courso was to ac company him, since if ho were guilty he could not hopo to escape extradition, which would bo very simple, his desti nation being known, while if innocent it was his duty to return and assist in clearing up tho matter, thus removing all doubt. Ho found Marvel sitting where he hael left him, staring vacantly before him. Ho was so absorbed in thought that tho detective was obliged to touch lie went uhoitrd n whooucr lying tlit rc. him to attract attention, and then, be foro Mr. Barnes tcr.'d ruy a word, Mar vel exclaimed: Is it yon? I nni rlcd. I will go back with you. "Yen v Burnt s v j. den e hai'v !1 p; Ir'rv ; r.-c: Mr. T'. I' At I'rine e tr i ;: t l.i v. ', ":,w per suaded a felui-.v i lit to li. tn tht auditorium and li-te n to hi:.i while lit rehearsed a serme u Tb rrnche r iu embryo began II. s subject war "Light. " With a violent gesture with the right arm, he said, 'Blot out the sun!" With a similarly frantic movement of tho left arm. he ronr'fl "Itlnf fuif tlin tiinntlt" Then with a combined ges turo made up of both arms, he bellnwpd. "Riot out the stars!" But it wus enonch . The auditor arose to leave with a hoarse, cruel whisper, "Turn off the. gas!" New York Mail and Express. Bay on Murderers. ( Austria is the conntrv most lenient to murderm. Tn tn vm nr KM nr on wtra found - guilty of murder, of w nom only 13 wera put to death.