Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-02-18
VOL. No. 40

rnstlcs. On reaching the lanuing-plaee, ne
knocked at Mr.. wilson's bedroom door. no
answer was returned. Armstrong seemed
TO hesitate, but the constable at once llited the
latch; they entered, and then melancholy
Spectacle presented itseii'
Wilson, completely dressed lay extended on
the floor liteess corpse. lie had been stab
bed in two places in the breast with some
sharp-pointed instrument. Life was quite ex-
tinct. The window was open On further in
spection, several bundles containing many OF
Wilson's valuables in jewellery and plate, to-
gether with cloths, shirts, silk handkerchieis
were found. The wardrobe and u secretary
bureau had been forced open. The assasslns
had, it seemed, been disturbed, and had hrr-
ried off by the window without their plunder.
A hat was also picked up in the room, a shiny,
black hat, much too small for the deceased
The constable snatched it up, and attempted
TO clap it on Armstrong; mead, nut II was
not large enough. This, together with the
bundles, dssipated suspicion which had been
growing in Johnson's mind, and he roughly ex-
claimed, G You need not look so scared, farmer;
its not you that's quite clear"
To this remark neither Armstrong nor his
wife answered a syllable, hut continued to gaze
at the corpse, the bundles, and the broken
locks, in bcwildcrcd terror and astonishment
Presently some one asked il fanybody had seen
Mrs. Strugnell2
The question reused Armstrong, and he said
g She is not come home; her door is locked
How do yon know that?' cried the con-
stable, turning sharply round, and looking
kecnly in his face. How do you know thai? Y
Because-because," stammcrcd Armstrong,
q because She always locks it when she goes
out"
(which is her room?"
" The next to this"
They FASTENED out and found the next door
was fast.
Are YOU there, Mrs. Strugnell2' shouted
johnson.
There was no reply
s.She is never home till half-past ten oclock
on Sunday evenings remarked Armstrong in
A calmer voice.
aThe KEY is in the lock ON the inside cried
a young man who had been striving to peep
through tho kcy-hole.
Armstrong. il was afterwards sworn, started
as If he had been shot; and his wife again
clutched his arm with the same nervous, fren-
lied gripe as before.
Mrs. Strurnell, are you there?p once more
shouted the constable He was answered by a
low moan, In an instant the frail door was
hurst in. nnd Mrs. Strngnell was soon pulled
out anparently more dead than alive, from un-
dcrneatb tic bedstcad, where she in speech
lass conservation lay partially concealed
Placing her in chair they soon succeeded
mucb more easily. indeed, than they antici-
nated--in restoring her 10 consciousness Ner-
yously she glanced round the rude circle of
eaper faces that enyironed her, till her eyes
fell upon Armstrong and his wife, when she
Gave i loud shrek. and muttering, Il They, Mey
~ ira murderers.u swooned. or appeared to
10 j aoain Instantly.
Tho occnse1 ncrsons. in spite of their fren-
zied protestations of innocence, we're instantly
seized and taken of to a place Of security Mrs.
c,r,anaII ,yas conveyed 10 n neiehbor's close
~, tho bonee was carefully secured; and the
.n;,oted aud wandering Villagers departed to
IA, soyorol homes hut not. I fancy. 10 sleep
M, ,no,c for that NIGHT.
Tho denos;tion made by Mrs. Struenell at
no ;nouest on the body was in substance as