Smyrna times., 1874-06-24

it by the clock and showing it to us as some
thing very handsome. | knocked at his door
to restore it to him. He had not left us but
fifteen minutes before; but he must have been |
asleep already, for he made no answer. So | !
kept it for the night, and wore it down to
breakfast next morning. AS | came down L
met gentleman in the hall. He inquired for
Mr.. Glen. That was the new comer's name
| sent Hannah to wake him. She could not
do so, and grew alarmed. She had key that
would open the door, and used it. The next
thing knew we were all in the room and the
windows were wide open, and the doctor had
been sent for; and the young man who had
called was screaming that his brother had been
choked to death and then there was the in.
quest, and they arrested me. The brother said
the first thing he noticed was that wore Mr..
Glen watch and seals. ] had forgotten it in
my terror" -, ,
said.
Eyes; at least it was a key that would
open it. 1t was the key to Mr.. Bassford's
door. She knocked the other out with stick
and put that in.
"The people who were there on that night
were your boarders when the other men were
found dead p l asked
"Oh yes"
"And Hannah was there also?"
with me. ;"
Your daughter oversees the household in
your absence?'
Yes, poor child with Hannah's help"
[ thought little while.
IN ldame," said. {" there is some strange
mystery in this affair. | do not despair Of
proving to all the world your entire innocence
Meanwhile, be as calm as possible, and endea-
vor to remember everything connected with
the sudden deaths that have occurred in your
house. The incident that seems the least i'm
portant may really be of the most immense
value"
So left and went home Strange enough,
on the way [ met the doctor who had been
called in. He was dull, heavy sort of per-
son, considerably given to beer drinking, and
my opinion of his ability was not very great.
However, [ questioned him on the subject
and he replied:
"Wel, you see, [ don't say the old woman
murdered him. If she did, | should say il
was by sitting on him, or smothering him with
: the holsters. L suppose the cause of his death
, WAS asphyxia Well, then, what is asphyxia
Why, too little breath to keep one living. liz
: died because he was short of breath | wasf
: my hands on that matter. Only there's tn,
watch that looks dark"
J had learned nothing from the DOCTOR Th
l coroner lived near me- His jury had beel
twelve Of the most ignorant men in town.
; This is all he told me-
He WAS smOthered, that man was so wer
e the other two. Men don't smother them
i selves. We made it inscrutabe Providenc
t t'other time. We make it murder this time
, That there watch, you know"
e Thus, without any new light, | went hom
it and formed my plans There was but one wa
o in which to penetrate the mystery. | mus
l. enter the house; must see the people there
| / must naNafra tn RI ha roou, in ab &hoe
d men had died SO suddenly, and must not
C known in my real character That Madam
l. Matteau was innocent, fully believed bU
y that some one beneath her roof was guilty.
10 made no doubt 1t might be the librarian
ct Mr. Bassford, whose key fitted the dead man
~ door. 1t was possible-but no, | would n,
lie harbor mad superstition. There could be n
At supernatural power beneath which human b.
ID ings dropped and died Death as it came
as us all was mystery enough. What had bee
a, said to me by woman, @ho would have bee
er a sprituaist had she lived to-day, was me
absurdlty.
of " believe that there is some horrible u
to seen thing in the room." she had said, "son
to awful, shapeless spirit, that when it is locke
in with its victim murders him. Let othe
I'd believe what they will, believe that"
I'd The words haunted me, but laughed
gs them, of course. Whatever it was, | wou
ne try to know. had plan.
h. At dusk that day | went into my bedroo
er myself came out a strange man. wore
white wig, pair of green goggles, and
1t, Overcoat, the tails Of which reached to Z
heels. l had muffler about my throat, and
no little hunch on one of my shoulders. | c;
to- ried thick cane, and stopped great deal
[ walked. In my hand l carried a carpet-bs
ne and in my bosom pair Of pistols we'll loade
lot AS l passed out into the street the ca
.1k
Ise the door of Madame Matteau's house.
nd 1t was open for me, when knocked,
ed old Hannah. Her eyes were red and swol,
an Then told her that | was a stranger and h
or received Madame Matteau's address from
gentleman in New York, and desired to 81
under her roof all night. She shook her hei
m; don't think you can" she said. "1
ow lady is away from home. Besides, we are
led trouble here. don't think Miss Gabrit
=" would
pom But here Miss Gabrielle herself appeared
any 81 am an old man. miss" l said, :" and
lot. you see, quite in6rm. | dread another STEP
ed, should take it as kindness if you would
:, commodate me, and will pay any price
led, ask"
Miss Gabrielle looked at Hannah.
the :" We have only one room" she said, g.
that
ter. | ended the question of my stay by begq
poor - You will have supper, sir2" asked
the girl.
too But | declared that had eaten, and Q
Miss wanted rest
one Her reply was:
See " Hannah. show the gentleman to the
use, room, and make fire.
It of was in the blue room, the scene of
three sudden deaths or murders. II W,
small apartment, painted blue 1t had
tell blue window curtains and blue silk cove
,ed on the bed neat striped carpet, set oI
new mahogany furniture and very hands
Mr. ever and basin Of costly china, 1t wa
,pty the time almost universal custom to
two wood. In this room, however, was 8
him coal fire. alluded to this as Hannah cam