Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1019 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~ —_— Oe ee, yee = ee —— ee”. ine Like a burst of sunshine came Fred Hazeltine into the gloomy cell of the despairing Burd Bay- ard. There was no resisting the contagion of the handsome fellow’s presence, He nearly tum- bled over the turnkey in his eagerness to greet the friend whom (unknown to Doctor Hazeltine) he had doue so much to help out of the country, four years before, when hounded by the officers of the law, ‘* How are you, Burd, my old boy?’ he ex- claimed, slapping him on the shoulder and then wringing his hand; ‘‘ I was at Annapolis when [heard you werein limbo; you owe me for a horse that I rode clean to death so as to get here in time. Why don’t you tell me how you are, old fellow?” ‘God bless you!” replied Captain Bayard, with tears in his eyes, as he held up his mana- cled hands; ‘‘ 1 didn’t expect this.” ** What’s the reason you didn’t? What sort of a fellow do you take me for?” Then turning to the turnkey, he tild him he wished to be left alone with his client for an hour. Vi hen the sluggish cflicial was beyond hearing, the young lawyer turned to his friend, and his cheery way said: ** Now to business, Your trial will be called within a fortnight, unless you want it post- poned in order to hunt up witnesses. I will spend an hour or two each day with you, and — heart and soul to secure your acquit- ta . ‘* You won’t succeed,” said Captain Bayard, looking quietly in the face of hisfriend. ‘*{ won’t if I don’t show more pluck than you, but I’m in this business to win. Let’s run over the matter. To begin at the beginning, four years ago last month, Colonel Haven’s overse r and his wife were found murdered in their beds, The house, standing within a mile of The Cedars, was robbed of a large amount of money, the proceeds of a big tobacco sale in Baltimore. Kirke Warman, the overseer, was a harsh taskmaster, and suspicion pointed to the slaves, A careful examination of the premises, however, not only proved the innocence of the servants, but showed that the terrible crime was committed by a white man, ‘** It was also discovered that an attempt had been made to fire the place, for the purpose of hiding all traces of the crime, but the assassin was scared off before he could complete his work, While the investigation was under way two negroes of Colonel Haven declared they had stolen away to Buzzard’s Roost that night with- out a permit from the Overseer, and were com- ing back about midnight, when they recognized your black stallion standing in front of the over- seer’s house. Witha curiosity natural in such ple, they hid themselves near, and waited to earn whatit meant, You shortly after made your appearance, mounted your horse and rode away. I'hey wereabout to resume their return to quarters, when the sight of smoke coming from the house caused them to rush in and help put out the flames, They succeeded in doing so with great difficulty. They saw nothing of the dead les, and supposed that the overseer and his wife were absent from home. “The namesof these two negroes were Pom- pey and Pete, who, without thought of involv- ing you, told the story, which was afterward proven true in every particular. They said, in addition, that, while you were mounting your horse, some man whom they did not know, but who carried a heavy cane, passed and saluted you. You returned the salutation, but they did not catch the name, ‘** At the inquest, this man voluntarily came forward and asserted that what the negroes said was strictly true. He stated that the moon was shining so brightly that he recognized you be- ond all possibility of mistake. His name was osiah Brigham, a resident of Buzzard’s Roost, who bad known you from childhood, and who has the reputation of being one of the most con- scientious men in the country. He gave his tes- timony with great emotion. ‘* The npgrore uncorroborated story, ay you know, would have done you little barm, but it was what Mr. Brigham told, confirmed by what followed. Suspicion pointed so strongly to you that you were , in bed at the Golden avern, There was blood on your hands and clothing, and a large sum of money in your possession, Your confusion and contradictory explanations removed all doubts of guilt, except on the partof a few of your devoted friends, among whom of course was myself, **Colonel Haven became a volcano of wrath, use you were engaged in marriage to his daughter, He would have favored lynching you, and swore that he would spend his entire fortune in bringing you to justice. I was hope- ful that if the trial could be delayed until the excitement calmed down, or if a change of venue could be secured, a way might open to establish your innocence despite the awful proof against you, ** But matters looked so bad that a few of us helped you to escape, Pompey being one of the number, He has managed to keep the secret through fear that, if it shouid be discovered, he would be hanged in your place, ‘* Well, allthat was four years ago, and you got safely away, only to come back and allow yourself to be arrested. Havel given the nar- rative correctly?” ** Without the slightest error. conclusion, Fred?” ‘* I do not see the first ray of hope.” CHAPTER X. $27 000." CAPTAIN BuRD BAYARD stared at the young counselor in amazement, *- You tell me there is not a ray of hope, and yet insist on makiny a fight for me? I do not understand such logic.” Fred Hazeltine made the cell ring with his merry laughter, ** Don’t be in such a hurry to jump to conclu- sions. I repeat what I said, that, as matters stand, I see no hope at all, but I believe we shall both see it before long. I assure you, on my honor, that I believe some way will open for clearing up this mystery, and of saving a man who is as innocent of that particalar crime as I am, ‘*T want to know, Fred, whether you believe fully, unreservedly, unshakenly, in my inno- cence,” ‘* Never bave I had a moment’s doubt, my dear fellow !” Captain Bayard extended his hand, saying in a broken voice: ‘That is worth a good deal. I thank you from my very soul! Your faith has renewed the prayer for life within me.” ‘*You shall come from the furnace without the smell of fire on your garments, and then shall you be happy with Muriel Haven, the most beanteous and lovely maid in all Maryland —an angel on earth, Burd, if anything human can be angelic,” Burd Bayard shook his head. _“*Had Colonel Haven been spared to see my vindication, it might be, but he died without recalling the prohibition he uttered long be- ore,’ “ ‘* Did it have no condition?” ‘“*None, and with that prohibition hanging over us, his daughter cap never become my wife,” Fred Hazeltine sprung up and paced rapidly back and forth across the narrowcell, A new suspicion and a new tratn of thought had taken shape in his mind, caused by the iast remark of bisfriend. Butthe hour had not yet come to name it, Hoe resumed his seat. ** Let us keep to the point, Burd. You will see that the case could not be much stronger against ou, ‘*So strong, indeed, that to me it is hope- less,” ‘* Not so bad as that, byany means, Now, old fellow, I want you to give me your version of that woful night. I must have everything fixed so clearly in my mind that there is no room for What is your the slightest error,” ‘“‘ Well,” said the prisoner, with a sigh, '‘ my story isa brief one, On that night I rode along the road toward Buzzard’s Roost at a later hour than usual. My horse was on a slow walk, the moon was shining brightly, and at the moment I came opposite the overseer’s house [ thought I heard a groan. My stallion showed some. un- easiness, and, thinking help might be needed, I dismounted‘ tied him at the gate and knocked at the door. There was no answer, and all was still, I was about to leave, when I decided to look further, and, lifting the latch, entered. “‘Everything was dark, and, though I spent some time in groping round the room, I was un- able to find alight. Icalled the name of War- man several times, but, after tumbling about for a while, [ concluded I had made a mistake and came out, believing the overseer and his wife were away from home. ‘““AsI remounted my horse, Josiah Brigham came along, precisely as he testified, and bade me good-evening, The negroes being in hiding, I saw nothing of them. I galloped back to the Golden Boar, at Buzzard’s Roost, turned my ae over to the hostler, and went to bed in the ark, ‘* [ felt so ill next morning that I didu’t rise, Burd Bayard’s Close Call. 7 and was in bed when arrested, Then, for the first time, [ noticed the blood on my hands and clothing. It must have got there while | was groping around the room of the overseer, in the dark. You tell me there was evidence of a fear- ful struggle in the house, and blood seemed to be every where, ‘*] was astounded, perbaps more than my ac- cusers, and I have no doubt that, in the excite- menc of the moment, I deepened suspicion by my replies to many of their questions, The several hundred dollars which was found on me was my own. I often had larger amountstban that, and I was contemplating a trip to Philadelphia. But that, too, was a Jink in the chain oi evi- dence which seemed too strong fur human skill to break,” ** Now, Burd, give me your theory.” ‘*T really have none that amounts to anything, Like many others, I supposed at first the crime was committed by negroes, The overseer and his wife were both killed by pistol shot wounds and though no weapon was found on me, yet all saw the chance I had of getting rid of any such telltale evidence, and that fact, therefore, weighed nothing in my behalf. The deed muat have been done by some skillful villain who has kept his secret too well,” ‘* Well, good-by; I will see you again to- morrow.” red Hazeltine, as he declared, had entered into this business heart and soul, and as he mounted his horse and rode away from the jail, his mind was full of it, ‘‘ Where shall I look for the key?” be asked himself ;‘*it must be within reach, if T only knew where to bunt forit. I will go to the house of the present overseer. Possibly he has picked up some clew, for he has lived in the house several years.” It was only a short ride to the house of Mr. Merriweather, the successor of the murdered Warman, Asthe young lawyer approached he saw the man for whom he was looking come from the house, as though he had just con- cluded his midday meal, After a few preliminary words, young Hazel- tine came to the point, ‘* You tell me, Mr. Merriweather, that- you have lived here about three years. During that time, of course, you have ransacked the place from top to bottom,” ‘*f should think so,” replied the overseer, with a grin, ‘‘ being that I have the help of nine chil- dren in doing the same thing.” **T am the counsel of Captain Burd Bayard, who is accused of the murder of your prede- cessor. He is innocent, and the real criminal is still at large. I am in search of evidence, I want to learn whether you or any member of your family have come upon anything, no mat- ter how trifling, that has a bearing upon this business, Think hard.” ‘*No, I believe not,” replied the overseer, taking off bis hat and scratching his head, likea man in perplexity; ‘* but hold on! I remember now that one of my children was playing in the back yard and found a pistol, an old double- barreled one, that must have lain there a good time, for it was very rusty.” ‘* What did you do with it?” | ‘“*T Jaid it away on the shelf, and I guess it’s there yet,” ‘* Ba kind enough to let me see it,” Mr. Marriweather was absent only a minute, when he reappeared bearing the weapon in his hand, ‘‘ There it is; it was so long ago that I had al- most forgotten it,” Fred Hazeltine’s heart gave a quick throb as he took the old pistol in band and carefully ex- amined it, ‘‘That is the weapon which killed Mr, War- man and his wife,” said the young lawyer. ‘‘ Both barrels are empty. As Burd Bayard came out of the front door, the murderer passed | out the rear and dropped this in his flight. hen, turning to the gaping overseer, he asked; ‘* Am I the only person who has made inquiry for this?” ** Yes, sir; nobody has known that I had it,” ‘* Very well; let no living person know any- thing aboutit. So long a time has passed that your children have forgotten it, and a word to your wife will be sufficient.” ‘*'You are welcome to the pistol, and vou needn't have any fear about that,” assured Mr, Merriweather, whose faith in the discrction of his wife evidently was unbounded, Thanking the overseer for his courtesy, Fred bade him good-day and turned his horse in the direction of Buzzard’s Roost. — Sl