Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-10-26
A HOTEL MYSTERY.
A Thrilling story OF Crime, by Olive
Harper.


Harper.
In the latter part of April 1873 went
to the Metropolitan Hotel in New York,
which is situated ut the corner of Broad
way and Prince street. and was assigned
to room 2i2 The room fronted on Prince
street and was about ten feet wide by
fifteen long with an alcove for bed adj
joining the main hall, while narrow hall
led from the main hail to the room by the
side of the alcove. am thus particular
in describing the room because it has di-
rect bearing upon the story L shall re-
late.
The room has but one window, and be-
side that is the fireplace, and both togeth-
er take up the entire wall space. An old
fashioned bureau stood by the window on
the left hand on entering the room. A
stationary washstand, with movable gas
burner above, was placed between the
bureau and the door leading into the little
hall. A rather faded brussels carpet
covered the floor, and small oval marble
topped table stood in the centre of the
room. A couple of easy chairs and two
plain chairs also stood about. On the
right hand side of the room was ward
robe near the foot of the bed, Just out
side of the alcove, and between that and
the fireplace was lounge. This COM
pleted the furnishing of the room.
/ had arrived from railroad journey
and was very tired, but in superb health.
L never was one likely to indulge in Wis
ions; and | wish it distinctly understood
that | am not Il Spiritualist, and do not
believe in spiritual manifestations in any
way. / relate what | have to say Just as
ithappcned, leaving the explanation to any
one who can explain il.
arrived, as [ say, and was given this
room. had my dinner served in the
room and sat there until nearly midnight
writing letters, and then calling the bell
boy and giving him the letters, l closed
and locked the outer hall door and then
the inner one, and after looking at several
photographs of friends, left them and
my writing materials on the table and
went to bed, first assuring myself that
there was no possibility of any one enter
ing the room by the window. There were
no transoms, only n sort of window-blin
slst-work over the head of the bed for air.
left the gas turned up slightly, and the
little table by the side of the stationary
wash-stand, where had drawn it for the
sake of light, there being no other burn
er in the room.
Being very healthy, tired, and not
troubled by bad conscience or digestion,
| went to sleep almost as soon ms was
comfortably settled in bed, and l do not
know how long I slept. Suddenly woke
and sat bolt upright in bed, and saw two
men in the room. The light was bright,
and they were seated at the right hand
side Of the room at the foot of my bed.
One was on the sofa and the other on n
chair, and the little handicapped table
was between them, and on this table they
were playing euchre. heard no words,
but knew it was euchre, because l under
stood that game fairly well myself.
He who was sitting, or rather reclining,
on the sofa was delicate looking man
like one in poor health, and he was dress.
ed in light snit of clothes. He had thin.
reddish hair, and struggling beard. His
forehead was unusually broad and high.
and the rest of his face was 80 thin thai
the pointed beard gave him peculiar
look. His hands were long and thin.
ami his left wrist was misshapen, rs if it
had once been broken and badly set.
leThe other man was stout, dark. with
piercing black eyes, and eyebrows which
seemed to stand out straight. His hair
was straight and thick and very black and
shining His moustache was thick and
dropping. At one corner of the mouth
cant remember which-was a little scar
like letter Y in shape, and his face and
chin had that peculiar blue tinge that
some dark men have when newly shaved.
He was handsome, withal. He was dress
ed in dark clothing. They had PLAYED
out one hand and had played one trick on
the next when noticed they seemed an
CRY and quarreling, though I heard no
sound, and in an instant the dark man
quickly drew knife and stabbed the 9th.
er in the left breast. The knife penetra-
ted to the very hilt. He shivered little.
his eyes closed, and he was dead Then
the other one rose and lifted up the inert
right arm and drew it forward and clasp
ed the hand around the handle of the
knife, and pushed the table closer until il
held the elbow of the dead man in such n
position MS would keep the arm from fall
ing again; Then he gathered up the
cards, put them into his pocket, took M
MS hat, and in IN instant the whole scene
had disappeared, and l fell back in the
ped and knew no more until morning
might give long description of nv
terrors and work up thrilling tale, but
as 1 am simply narrating facts must say
that was not frightened. 1 was more
surprised than anything else, and the
whole took place SO suddenly that had
not time to get frightened until it was nil
over, and when / awoke in the morning il
had almost passed from my mind, as /
thought it but dream. Butwhen / rose
and went into the room saw that the Ia
bic stood by the side of the lounge, and
oil my photographs and papers were on