Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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r THE MYSTERY OF AGATHA WEEB. By Anna Katharine Green, Autlmr v' "Tin l.iaraiwoiiii Cage,' "Urt Man's Lane." "Hand and Iting," Etc., Etc. OOPYHIOIIT, 1WX), BY A.N.N A KATHAIUNB OIIRIK. cii.\i‘ti:k xv. TWO CORPSES. “(Jetitlenien. \v«- tiavc reached the tooelusjon of this business sooner than I expected.' announced Knapp. “If rmt will aive me just ten minutes. 1 •Bill endeavor to find that lurye remain tier of money which we have every tea Wm to tiunk is hidden away in this house." “Stop a minute.” said the coroner. “Let me see what book John is hold- tng so tightly Why," he exclaimed, flrnwinj: it out and giving it one glance, "it is a Bible!" Laying it reverently down, he met the detective's astonished glance and seriously remarked: "There is some incongruity between the presence of tins book and the 1 deed b believed to have been performed down yonder.” "Not at all." 'pioth the detect!v° “It was not the man in the chair, but the om. me Hour who made use of that da-gT. But I wish you had left it to me to remove that book, sir." "Y .aAm! whyV What did'orence tt'oi.id it iia\e madeV" 'I \vi tihl !ia\ i■ noticed betwecii what pages his tinge was inserted. Noth ing like h 1 "Win. the <L tails, sir.” Dr. Feiitou gasod wls fully at the hook. He would like to have known Lin.' Jf on what especial passage his friend's eyes had last rested. ‘T wdl stand aside." said he, “and hear youi report when you are done." Tin d'tective had already begun hK investigations. “Here is a spot of blood.” said he. “Sec, on the rigid trousers leg of tie- oue you call James. This connects indisputably with the crime in uim rr\ \j\ •t i - o' . V - ..v. •Vi i '•Stoj) a minute,” xnlil the coroner. "It in a under which this dagger was used. No signs of violence on his body. She was the only one to receive a blow. The rest was the result of Hod’s providence." “Or mans neglect,” muttered the const a hie. “There is no money In any of their pockets, or on either wasted figure," the detective continued, after a few minutes of silent search. "It must be bidden in the room, or— Look through that Bible, sirs.” The coroner, glad of an opportunity to do something, took up the book, and ran hurriedly through its leaves, then turned it and shook it over the table. Nothing fell out; the bills must be looked for elsewhere. "The furniture is scanty.” Abel ob- lerved. with an inquiring glance about him. “Very, very scanty,” assented the constable, still with that biting re morse at his heart. “There is nothing in this cupboard." remarked the de tective. swinging open a door in the null, “but a set of old chiua more or k*ss nicked." Abel started. An old recollection had come up: some months ago he bad been present when James had tried to Bell this set. They were all in War mi’s store, and James Zabel—he could nee his easy attitude yet and hear the oETiand tones with which he tried to carry the thing off had said, quite as if he had never thought of it before. "By the by. 1 have a set of china that i-ame over In the Mayflower. John likes it. but it’s grown to be an eyesore lo me. and if any of you hear of nnv one warning such a thing send him up to the cottage. I will let the old thing go for a song." Nobody answered, and James had soon disappeared It was the last time. Abel remembered, that be bad been seen about town. “1 can't stand it." cried the lad, "l can't stand It. If they died of hunger I must know It. I am going to take a lo U at their larder.” And before any one could «tup him he dashed to tht rear of the house. The constable would have liked to bave followed liitii. but he looked about the walls of the room instead. John ».nd James had been fond of pictures and bad once indulged their fancy to tie vergt of extravagance, hut there were no pictures on the walls now. nor was there so much as a eamjle- *ti( k on the empty and dust covered mantel. (July on a bracket in one cor Bci there was a worthless trinket ma«h •ut of cloves and beads which had doubtless been given them by some to an try damsel in their young bttchcloi i\: ys B a nothing of any value any where, and Mr I’enton felt that h* a . .s knew why they had made wo » any visits to Boston at one time an • why they always returned with a thinner valise than they took away f'< was stMl dwelling on the thought the pi;, ot I,User : . ii.c!, Ii gb!\ fvsiicclid folk cun s.nk Without the knowledge of the nearest nelghhors. when Abel came hack looking greatly troubled “It's the saddest thing I ever heard of." said he. "These men must have been driven wild by misery This room is sumptuous in comparison to ! the ones at the back: and as for the pantry, there is not even r scrap there a mouse could cat I struck a iiiatco and glanced into the flour barrel. It looked as if It had been licked. 1 de clare it makes a fellow sick " The constable with a shudder with drew toward the door. "The atmosphere here is stifling." said he "1 must have a breath of outdoor air ” But he was not destined to any such immediate relief. As he moved down the hall the form of a man darkened the doorway and he heard an anxious voice exclaim: "Ah. Mr Kenton, is that you? 1 have been looking for you everywhere." It was Sweetwater, the young man who had previously shown so much anxiety to be of service to the coroner. Mr Fenton looked displeased. "And how come you to find me here?” he asked. "Oh. some men saw you take this road, and 1 guessed the rest.” "Oh. ah. very good. And what do you want. Swi etwater?” The young man. who was glowing with pride and all alive with an en thusiasm which he had kept suppress ed for hours, slipped up to the con stable ami whispered in his tar: "i have mmie a discovery, sir. 1 know you will excuse the presumption, but 1 eoul'in't briug myself to 1 ‘op quiet and lollow m A,.it ol.c. r fellow s whuc. 1 had to make iuvesiigations on my own account, ami ami" - stammering in liis eagerness- ‘They have been sue- ee-sfi:l, sir. 1 lin e found out who was the murderer of Ag; 'ha Webb.” The constable, comp.is.»roii.iiuig the d.-appointment in smre for him. shook his head with a soieum look toward the room fiotn which he had just emerg' d. "You are L;t*. Sweetwater." said he. "We have found him out our selves. and he lies iusitle there, dead.” It was Gaik in this narrow pas-age way and Sweetwater’s back was to the moonlight, so that the blank look that must have crossed his fare at tins uunouucemeiit was lost upon the con stable. But ids consternation was evi dent from the way he thrust out either hand to steady himself against tin- walls. ami Mr. Fetrtou was not at all surprised to heat him stammer out: "I'ead! He! W ho do you mean by be, Mr. Kenton?” "The man in whose house we now yre." returned the other. "Is there any one else who can be suspected of this crime?" Sweet water gave a gulp that seemed to restore him to himself. "There are two men living here, both very good men. 1 thought. Vfhich of them do you mean, and why do you think that either John or James Zabel could have killed Agatha Webb?" For reply. Mr. Fenton drew hint to ward the room In which such a great heart tragedy had taken place. "Look." said he. "and see what can happen lu a Christian land, in the midst of Christian people living not rib rods away. These men are dead. Sweetwater, dead from hunger The loaf of bread you see there came too late. It was bought with a bill, taken from Agatha Webb’s cupboard drawer." Sweetwater, to whom tbe whole scene seemed like some horrible night mare. stared at the figure of James lying on the floor, and then at the figure of John seated at the table, as if his mind had failed to take in the con stable s words. "Dead!" be murmured. "Dead! John and James Zabel. What will happen next? Is the town under a curse?" And he fell on his knees before tbe prostrate form of James, only to start up again as lie saw the eyes of Kuapp resting on him. “Ah.” he muttered, "the detective!" And after giving the man from Boston a close look he turned toward Mr. Fen ton. "You said something about this good old man having killed Agatha Webb. What was it? I was too dazed to take It in." Mr Feuton. not understanding the young man’s eagerness, but willing enough to enlighten him as to the situa tion. told him what reasons there were for ascribing the crime in the Webb cottage to the mad deed pf theso starw- ing men. Sweetwater listened with •pen eyes ami confused bearing, only controlling himself when bis eyes by chance fell upon the quiet figure of the detective, now moving softly to and fro through the room. "But why murder when he could have had his loaf for the asking?" re monstrated Sweet water. "Agatha Webb would have gone without a meal any time to feed a wandering tramp. How much ii ir«* to supply the necessities of two of her oldest and dearest friends.” "Yes.” remarked Fenton, "but you forget or jierhaps never knew that the master passion of these men was pride. James Zabel ask for bread! I can much sooner imagine him stealing it. yes. or striking a blow for it. so that the blow forever shut the eyes that saw him do it." “You don’t believe your own words. Mr Fenton. How can you?" Sweet water’s hand was on the breast of the accused man as he spoke and iiis man ner was almost solemn. "You must not take It for granted." be went on. Ids green eyes twinkling with a curious light, "that all wisdom comes from Boston. We in Sutherlandtown have some sparks of it If,they bave not yet been recognized. You are satisfied”— here he addressed himself to Krnpp- "that the blow which killed Agatha Webb was struck by this respectable old man?” Knapp smiled, as If a child had ask ed him this question: but lie answered him good humoredly enough. * “You see the dagger lying here with which the deed was done, and you se*’ the bread that was bought from Loton with a **J0 bin of Agatha Webb’s money In these you can »cad my answer.” “Hood evidence.” acknowledged Sweetwater: "very good evidence w hen we remember Mr Crane’s story of the old man lie met rushing from the gate way with something glittering in his hand I never was so beat in my ftfe. uml yet and yet if 1 could have a few minutes of quiet thought all Lvj myself I am certain I could show yota that there is more in this matter than you think. Indeed. 1 know that there is. but I do not like to give my reasons till I have conquered the difficulties presented by these men having had that isfin bill.” "Wlmt fellow is this?” suddenly broke in Knapp "A fiddler, a nobody." quietly whis pered Mr Fenton in his ear Sweetwater heard him and changed in a twinkling from the uncertain, half bn filed, wholly humble person tlrey bad Just seen to a mac with a purpose strong enough to make him hold his head with the best. “f am a musician." he admitted, "and 1 play on the violin for money when ever the occasion offers, someebing which you ivil] yet congratulate your self upon if you wish to reach ti*je root of this mysterious and dastardly t'Tme. But that ! am nobody. I deny, and intau that tli.s fellow shall agree- s,it;i u,c before ties very night is <aver. Only give me an t pportunity for con sidering thi.- subject and the p* mission to walk for a few niktuu-a about tills heiij. ." "That - my pr* regative.” pivb steU the detective firmly, but without iLoy display of fe< Lug. "1 am the mm i- ..pio.v d to pick up whatever, eu w> may present.” the phlc! "Have on p.ei-ui ail that are v be found in thus room?’’ ashed Sweet water calmly. Knapp shrugged Lis shoulders. Liv was very wll s-Uished with himself. "Then give me a chauco." played. Sweetwater. "Mr. Keiiiou." lit urge, earnestly, an. a it the fool yen tulo me for. I feel. ! know. 1 have geniuss for this kind of tiling, and though l do play the tidiLU*. 1 swear there ar depths to this affair which none of. you have as yet sounded. Sirs, where are the SIimi in bills which go to make up the clean thousand that was taken: from the small drawer at the back, ot Agatha Webb’s cupboardV” “They are in sume secret hiding piece, no doubt, w hich we will present ly come upon as- we go through tin house,” answered Knapp. "T.Tnph! Then 1 advise .you to put your hand on them as soon as possi ble," reported Sweetwater. "1 vlll confine myself to going over the ground you havssalready investigated." And with a sudden ignoring of flu others’ presence, which could only have sprung from an intense egotism or from an overwhelming belief in Ws own theory he began an Investigation of the room that threw the others more coinmoupjace efforts entirely- So the shade: Knapp, with, a slight compression 1 of his lips, which, was the sole expression of anger he ever allowed himself, uook up his hat ajati made his bow to Mr Fenton. "1 see.” said he. "that the sympathy of those present Is with the local talent. Let local talent work. sheu. sir. and when you want me send to the tavern on tbe docks, where I will be found till ! am notified that my services are no longer required:" “No. no!** protested Mr. Fenton "This boy’s enthusiasm will soon evap orate. Let him fuss away if he will. His petty business need not Interrupt us." "But he understands himself.”' wins pered Knapp. "1 should think he had been on our own force for years.” "All the more reason to see what he’s up to. Walt, if only to satisfy your own curiosity. I shan't let many miu utes go by Is-fore I pull him upi." Knapp, who was really of a cold and animpressionnhle temperament, re frained from further argument, and confined himself to watching the young man. whose movements seemed to fas cinate him. "Astonishing!" Mr. Fenton heard him mutter to himself. "He’s more I \l\ l .tv; over the' still more pathetic* figure of John, sitting In the *1ialr. "Sad! Sad!!" he muJtoured. Suddenly he laid his S-tigeron 0 email /Mit in the old man’s farted vest. "You «*>'w this, of CTiurse.” sf*d he. wir*b a qcfck glance <y*er his shoulder at the silent detective. No answer as f<efore. "ft’s a new slit.” declared t&e officions youth, leaking clow, "and— yes--there’s blood ‘Hi the edges. Here:, talte Hie lantern, Mr Fciitou. I must see how the skin locks underneath. Oh. gentlemen, no shirt! The |>ool>**t dock- hand bA* a shirt! Bcocaded ^--st and no shirt: but lie doiKt want my pity, not now Ah. only a 1 bruise o’«er the heart. Sirs, what did jou make aut of this?" As iioae of them hint even s?en it iKnapp was* not the only one to re main sfient. "Shall I fell you what ? make o ft of it?' said lib* lad. rising hurriedly ♦'him the floor, which he had as hurri *Uly cx.Miiined "This old mambas triecMo take his li/» with the dagger alrerrty wet’ with fhe blood of Agatha We’ib But Ids arm was too feeble. The po hi ondy pierced’ the vest, u’iping off u little blood ici its passage. Then t ie wenI'tui fell fr'im his hand tnd stru< s the fihor. as you will see by- the fresl dent in the old board I atiT standin,? on. Have you anything to s cy against' that?” Again the detective opened his lips and might have spoken, hot Sweet •water gave him no chance. “Where is the loiter he was writing? h“ demaadcil. ‘Have any of vm seen any paper lying i.bout here?” ‘IIi- wns not writing.” • Ljecte-! Knapp; ‘h<- was reading re. Ting in that old I’ible yor> w there.” Sweetwater eaught up the bo< V. lock nl It over Mid laid ; r d ,wn. wit.h tba. name serious twin.Lie of his e-i* they had noted in him before. “lie was writing.’’ he Insisted. “Set. here is his pencil.And he showed them ilie bji.te.vd •'nd of a small b ad pencil lying on the edge of his hair. "Writing at some- time," admitted Knapp. "Writing just bef -re the deed ” in sisted Sweetwater. “Look at th? lin gers of his light hand. They ha\ e n< ; moved since the pencil fell o'.t of them." "Tin* letter, or wlinfpver it was. shall be looked foiV dr-'l.'v'ed the cons!-:: Sweetwater bowed,, his eyes re-\ i;m restlessly into every nook and corner of the room. "The broth* r. James, was the strong er." he remarked: “yet there is no evidence that he mad-:* any uttemct at suicide.” "How do y t’.know that it was Mfi ride John aflenipi.d?” asked some one "Why might n< tiie da'.-ger have f Jl<*n from James’ !uuid in an effort to kid ids brother?" "Because the lent to the floor w ould have been to Hie right of tin* i-hai.; Instead of to H e in* returned "Besides. James inind would not have failed so utterly, swot* be bad strength to pick up the weapon afterward ugd lay it when* you. flooMd it." "True, we found it lying on the table.” observed: Abel, scratching h<- hcad in forced admiration of his oh’ schoolmate. "All easy, very easy.’’ Sweetwater re marked, seeing the wonder in every eye. "Matters like those are for. a child’s reading, but what Is ditri cult and what l find it hard to coun* by. is how the $!IB bill got into the oh! man's hand. He found it here. ln:t how”- "Found It here? How’ do you know that?” "Hentlemen. that Is a point 1: will make clear to- you later, when 1 have laid my hand; on a certain clew I am anxiously seeking. You know this is new work toe me. and I have to ad vance warily Did any of you gnuh* men. when you came into thi-- room, detect the faintest odor of any kind of perfume?” ••Perfume?” echoed Abel, with a glance about the musty apartment "Bats, rather.” Sweetwater shook his head with a discouraged air. but suddenly brighten ed. and. stepping quickly i cross the floor, paused at one of tin* windows—it was tlia.r one in which the shade had been drawn down. Peering at this shade he gave a grunt. "You must excuse me fi r a minute." said be. "1 have not found wlmt 1. wanted In this room m d now must- look outside for it. Will some one bring the lantern?" "1 will." volunteered Kuapp. with grim good humor. I mice J. the situation was almost ludicrous to him. "Bring it round the house. th» a. to the ground under this a*indow.” order ed Sweetwater without giving any sign that lie noticed or even recog nized the other’s air j{ condestvnslou. “And. gentlemen, pb-ase don't follow. It’s footsteps 1 am after, and the fewer we make about tie* house ourselves the easier It will be for me to establish the clew I am after.” Mr. Fenton stared. What had got Into the fellow? I “let tbe QGID OUST Arfira do A IWasht "^Powder 133*1 { 23' Oif rv -ii Thera are more clothes rubbed out by using soap than are worn out* GOLD DUST crashes clothes better anc is much <sss expensive than soap. It does not .Bjure the me st delicate fabric and requires cnly half the labor that soap d >es. :fc will clean pots, peuvs, dishes, flocrc. -furniture—anything about the house. lend fer ojt FPEE booklet, ‘ jojde'.i Rules for Housework.* TIE N. K. FAUBANK COMPANY, Chicago, St Iljais, New York, Eos 3n. lws French Periodical Drops Strictly vegctarJe. perfectly harmless, sure to, accomplish DESIRED RESULTS. Greatknown female remedy. rtlllTIrt-Jl R-w.-ireof cimriterrHSis arid ifiifatli r . Tlv ciTinlne is ;>m w only in pusti*-tw,.ir<l Tar- ,7(4W I *»»» tonv.ith *n, sir- • •< cnatnrH n mi!.* e th? bottle, thu-;: m —r» •end to.- vthceuuir to WiL. tAVlr. JUXUCO., Sole An in:*. 0**'‘-Und,0titu.. ^ - > jfjSr*!-',,:* ^ u j,. h\- (’hcrokfH* Dru<j C’o. Two excellent corner building IoLs> within five minutes walk of Carpus: Mill. These lots will be sold on the ) Easy Payment Pian of only $3 per month. Here is an. upportunity' of a lifeti ntr for workimg peoples Apply to II. I>eOiVIV£F > .. m HEADS * , 1000 FOR .... $uo ii ii 2000 “ . . . $2.50 ii ii J 5000 “ . ... $5.00 ENVELOPES, 1000 “ $175 ii j 2000 “ ... $3 00 “ 5000 “ .. . $6.25 "Un'. Here’s a crumbo) that Hume bread. Did 'jou mu', that. Mr. Knanvf' like an eel than a man.” And Indeed tin* way Sweetwater wound himaelf out and In through that room, seeing everything and examining everything that came under his eye, was a sight w. !l worth any professional’s atten tion. I’ausing before tbe dead man on the floor, he held the lantern close to the white, worn face. "Ha!" said he. picking up something from the long heard. "Here’s a crumb of that same bn ad Did you set* that. Mr Knapp?" The question was so sudden and so sharp that the detective came uenr re plying to It: but he bethought himself and -a.d nothing i "That settles which of the two gnaw.-d f!ie loaf." continued Sweet • * U 1 he next UiiUUte he was hover,;-. This story will be c mtinued in t» e FritUy edition of The Ledger until its conclusion. It Itaz/.U-N Tti** World. No Discovery lu medicine has ever created tine quarter of the excitement that has been caused by Dr. King's New Discoverv for Consumption. It’s severest tests have been on hope less victims of Consumption, i'neu- oionia Hemorrhage. Pleurisy and Bronchitis, thousands of whom it has restored to perf*ct health. For Coughs. Colds. Asthma. Croup Hh* Fever. Hoarseness and Whooping t'ongh it i* the quickest, surest curt- in th** world. It Is sold h> Ch**rok»* Drop Co . who guursntee •Htisfadin'i <•* r*-tii'd m >uey Larg" h<i i!^s .»(•* mi tl iMj. Trial buitl*» free. LETTER HEADS, BILL HEADS, STATEMENTS, AND EVERY KIND OF PRINTING AT LOW PRICES. ORDERS BY MAIL PROMPTLY BILLED. THE LEDGER, GAFFNEY. S. C. H.TI l^virmsiii I T iiiv’er»It>” f Oreenville. H. C. ivox A. 1*. I'm. !>.. I).. 1*i*khii»kxt. Two t:our*it-s aro i>ff« rt-t*, It atUiiu to 4li»- dejrrre> <»f BACHELOR OF ARTS B. A.) and MASTER OF ARTS <M. A. IJt< rnrv and K> atliii? R.M»ni. < ht rayal and l'liir*k-al 1,11» .ratorl.-s, New Jud^on-Aliirfinl Hall eontalitliiy Audiiorium ao XK*iety Hal!*. NEW FORTY ROOM DORMITORY. K xpeuM-s reduft-fl ton mintuiura t>y the r.ysn-in. N- \i sossluit hi*, f in> S^ptemher t'tttalouu** aiitl 1*1^11 iur* of inlorniatIon on retjie^t. For rooms apply to Address, Prof H. T. COOK. Dr. A. P. MONTAGUE. 7-'>i-Iaw->*wks G-iEENVIl*.r. S. C. PRE8IOEBIT, AND VITALITY AFTER USING. DX*. MOTT’ xtrzixE'VBmx^rK Tbe (.-rent remedy for aervous prostration aul a.I tli-eases of tb»* irrneratlvg orcaus vl ellber Bex. B'.it-b a Nervou* Prostratioi: l-‘ai..Mt or Lost Manhood, Impotcney, Nlshtly fimlss.-.n- Youthf ul Lrr rs. Mental Worry, exee»»ivo ua« of Tolr.eco or Opium whhb lead to Consumption and Insanity. With every $4 ardor we Euari»oit**t to cun* <>r r< fund the money- Sold .at 41.00 per box, «ttQXtbh for $o.W. UK. TlOTTrtl CttE Ull AL CO., Cle wUudt Ohio, ‘For »;tle !>)’ CluBukcc Ui ug Co.