The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-01-13

t So / left and went home. Strange
enough, ON the way l meu the doctor who
had been called in. He was dull,
heavy sort OF person, considerably given
to beer-drinking, and my opinion of his
ability was not very great. However,
questioned him on the subject, aud he re-
piled:
"Well, you see, I don't say the old
woman murdered him. II she did,
should say by sitting on him or smother
ing him with the holsters. Isuppose the
cause of his death was asphyxia. Well,
then, what is asphyxia? Well, too little
breath to keep one living. He died be-
cause he was short OF breath. wash
my hands OF that matter. Only, there's
the watch; that looks dark"
l had learned nothing from the doctor.
The Coroner lived near me. His jury
had been twelve of the most ignorant
men in the town. This is all he told me:
"He was smothered, chat man was; so
were the other two. Men don't smother
themselves. We made it lnscrutable
Providence tother time. We make 1t
murder this time. That watch, you
know.n
Thus, without any new light, went
home and formed my plans. There was
but one way to penetrate the mystery.
l must enter the mouse; l must see the
in which these men had died SO suddenly,
and L must not be known by my real
character. That Madame Matteau was
innocent, fully believed; but that some
one beneath her roof was guilty, l made
no doubt. 1t might be the librarian, MIR.
Brassford, whose key fitted the dead
| mans door. 1t was pUssible--but no, /
would not harbor a mad superstition.
There could be no supernatural power be-
| meath which human beings dropped and
died. Death as it came to us Is mystery
enough. What had been said to me by a
\ woman, who would have been a Spiritu-
alist had she lived to-day, was a mere
absurdity.
| 81 believe that there is some horrible
unseen thing in the room," she said
''some awful, shapeless spirit; and, when
it Is locked in with its victim, it murders
him. Let others believe what they will,
l belive that"
The words haunted me, but laughed
at them, OF course. Whatever it was, l
| would try to know. had plan.
At dusk that day went into my bed
room myself. came out strange man.
L wore a white wig, a pair OF green
glasses, and an overeoat, the tails Of
| which reached to my heels. 1 had a
muffler about my throat, aGi a little
bunch on one OF my shoulders. l carried
a thick cane, and stopped q good deal
as walked. In my hand l carried a
carpet-bag, and in my bosom pair OF
pistols we'll loaded.
| AS passed out into the street, the
early moon was just rising; she lit me
on the way to Madame Matteau's house.
1t was opened for me when ! knocked,
by old Hannah. Her eyes were red and
swollen. Then l told her that / was a
1 ofr n ad VI RI mn a
tau's address from a gentleman in New
York, and l desired to stay under her
roof all night. She shook ner head.
81 don't think you can" she said; "the
lady is away from home. Besides, we
are in trouble here, l don't think Miss
Gabrielle would"
But here Miss Gabrielle herself ap-
peared.
~ am an old man, MISS" 1 said sand,
as you see, quite intirm. dread another
step. l should take it as q kindness il
you would accommodate me, and / will
pay you any price you ask.'
| Miss Gabrielle looked at Hannah,
| "We have only ons ROOM" she said
s'and that"
ended the question Of my stay By
begging TO be taken TO it.
"You will have supper, sif? ask The
girl.
But declared had eaten, and wanted
rest.
Her reply was: "Hannah, show the
gentleman TO the 'blue room '--tht
Scene OF the three sudden deaths OF
murders. 1t was a small apartment,
painted blue. 1t mad also blue window
curtains, blue silk ceVerIet on the bed
a neat striped carpet, set of old ma
hogany furniture, and very handsome
: ever and basin Of costly CHINA. Ii
was at the time almost a universal Gus
tom 10 burn wood. In this room, how
I ever, was small coal-fre. alluded
10 this as Hannah came in with thu
scuttle.
eyes, sir" che said. aMisses doe,
burn GOALS. Her son is clerk, or tue like
at the new mines al Mauch Chunk, ant
J he sends it cheap to her, but it's a nasty
!, tdirty-smellihg thing, and hate it,. Now
it's built and lit; twill warm up il
> fifteen minutes. 1t takes longer Thai
wood"
she went out Of the door and cam,
/, back in a minute with little tray. OF
which stood a pot and a cur and ;
: saucer, also a bowl and tiny pitcher
and something in a napkin. sA
"Miss sent u bit and sip," said she
"fea rests old folks nightly. Goo
!, night"
"Good night" I said. 81 expect
shall steep Soon; must be up YER,
early, though, for L have bills to pay.
have some hundreds of dollars with mi
to pay out tomorrow. and it's in TIL
: bag"
II She looked at me in a queer sort O
way, and fingered beside me. Az las
i she spoke:
'.Look ye, sir; think old folks of you
age do wrong to lock doors on them
! selves. You might be i'll ~ night, AM
/ who'd get in to see your"
, Was it this woman's practice, to, be
i travellers who stopped with her mistres
not to lock the door? Was there som
baneful portion i'll the cup She had givel
mep
: TWAS an innocent looking cup enough
I an old-fashioned affair, covered wit
. llittle gilt sprigs. Tine tea was fra gran
3 Tyson; butthe suspicion that had .crep
g into my mind had tainted it. / fancie
Q a strange color, a curious smell. L pu
. it from me, and would not have tastedi
4 for. q kingdom.
had not Intended to sleep, and I di
I not undress myself. l merely remove
!, my disguise, and sat down beside th
d table, with my pistol beside me, Tha
Q some attempt might be shortly made t
| ,.urdar T fpIt ha nnaetiflar y