St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-10
13 TOMsON'S COURT.
Am English Da,ec,;ye,s s.orv


dents of case had that afternoon brought
to successful issue, when. with the sud-
dennesS of a night birds startled scream. ]
heard piteous and prolonged shrek issu-
ing from beneath the unshuttered window.
sprang to my feet and gazing in the
direction of the sound saw wild, white
face, with long, dishevelled hair hanging
over an ill-clad form, gesticulating in be-
| seeching manner close to the fire-l lit panes.
This is very strange" l involuntarily
exclaimed. land puzzles me not a little.
What can it mean?"
Then striding toward the door, I flung il
wide open; but there was nothing before me
only the black, choking fog and the dead
silence of the street. Pushing back the
door, l turned to re-enter the room, when
my eyes caught sight of piece of white
paper that lay upon the wide sill of the
window. This is what it said:
If you would stop more crime, perhaps
murder, come at once to No. Is Tomson's
Court. Am followed. Heaven save me and
my child! What shall do? Rescue us and
God bless you! LIZZIE THORNLEY,.
Be careful. Conceal yourself. Watch.
Top room at back.
Thornley-Thornley! The name ap-
peared familiar to me.
l put out the office lights, for the bell of
st. Peters had just rung out the hour of 1.
l had decided whatever might be the con-
sequences to my unknown visitor, to go
home and sleep over the matter and then
report the circumstances to the inspector, so
as to receive his sanction to the step before
putting my plans into execution.
Late in the forenoon of the same day I
returned to the Office and duly reported my
experience OF the previous night.
This looks like serious job for you,
LomaX," said Inspector Jones, as soon as I
had finished my report Just turn to the
album there and look at S and T for por-
trait of Springer or 'Saxley," or Thorn
dyke He has done seven years, but has
not accounted for himself for long time
past Is that it? All, good! Take it with
you, and if you get chance of comparing
it with the original and you find they agree,
nab him, that's all. Would you like Scho-
field with you?'
''No." / answered
''Well, in any case be quite prepared to
face rough work. for if your man should
turn out to be the one l suspect, look sharp,
advise you"
After these and other timely hints re-
tired to the wardrobe adjoining Jones room.
l went in clean-shaven, good-looking man
out again in the character of a middle-aged
woman, dressed in rather seedy suit of
black.
l must not forget to mention, though,
that [ took with me small wallet of pins,
needles and tape. under the pretext of hav-
ing these for sale. My get-up was perfect.
l looked to all the world like one who had
seen better days, but was reduced now to a
state of genteel poverty,
1t was close upon 3 o'clock in the after
noon when | sailed out of Albert street,
and DRILLING rain was making matters
most uncheerful. | had no difficulty in
finding Tomson'S court. Proceeding along
the dark and narrow yard, [ passed into
No. Ii unseen by any one. The room was
situated at the end of a long, dark and
winding lobby. and the stencil that met me
was almost overpOwering. l paused a mo-
ment listening, but not sound did l hear.
Then l knocked at the door, very feebly at
first, then louder and louder, and yet there
came no response to me.
Surely l am the victim of a hoaXr' I
thought to myself. 1.-The room is EVIL
IDENTIFY tenantless."
STOPPING down. peered through the key
hole and by the very dim light that shone
within saw what l thought was chair up
set. / Knocked again, so as to be certain
there was no one in the room, and still re-
ceived no answer. My curiosity was now
aroused. ltook from my pocket small
bunch OF skeleton keyS-I never went with
out them-and noiselessly opened the door.
AS soon as L entered l stood aghast at the
sight that met my eyes. In one corner of
the room, stretched upon heap of straw, L
saw the form of woman, half naked and
o1nc
death. l staggered toward her, turned her
face to the light, and. merclful heavens!
recognized in her the mysterious midnight
visitor whose wild look had so possessed
me. 1 turned her head more to the light
and was Mortified to see thin stream of
blood ooZing from her snow-white brow
down upon the fair hands of little babe
that nestled to her breast
knelt down beside them, and, placing
my ear to the heart of the woman, found
it was still beating. In an instant I
requisitioned my brandy flask, and after
considerable difficulty succeeded in pouring
a few drops of the fluid down her throat,
and was soon rewarded by perceiving sign S
of returning consciousness. Her ewes
opened and her lips began nervous twitch-
ing at the corners.
''Pray, for the present do not agitate
YOURSELF" l exclaimed in assumed
female voice. ''You will feel better pres
emily and then we will speak little"
An object which arrested my attention
was strong, capacouS wardrobe in all
opposite corner, facing the bench. Its
folding doors stood little ajar, and 1 grew
curious to know the character of its con-
tents. l was just rising from my seat with
the intention of making closer inspection,
nod i l.
omen me to her side. Then in a voice Just
above whisper she said:
''Who are you that have found your way
into this miserable dwelling?"
Il am woman peddling few simple
wares" I answered, ''but how I managed
to find myself here is more than I can tell:
yet am thankful have reached you, if it
is only that may be of some simple sery-
ice to you, for see you need helping
hand"
''Ah, tits true, tits true" she replied.
'but l fear your assistance has come too
late-yes. too late!'
IT hope not. Tell me, though, how YOU
have come by that wound in your temnle.
Is it the result of fall?'
mo, no; it was done by him-my hus-
band. He struck me with a hammer be-
cause would not consent to his taking
away my child"
'.Merciful heavens, can such things be-?
Where is he now?" somewhat eagerly
inquired.
IL cannot tell, she answered; and she
appeared to be growing fainter by the exer-
ton. Last night little before II he
came home in terrible temper. l saw
murder lurking in his eyes, and after listen
ing TO his fearful oaths I ran to the police
station pursued by him. l could not at
tract attention. He overlook me Just as T
re-entered this room. and-Hark! What is