Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-08-18
CHAPTER 1.
TIE FIRST CLUE g..

ess blue sky, and spark led merrily or
the wrinkled sea, which looked so brightly
azure that it seemed but continuation
Of the air above, in which the white or
tawny sails of the fishing craft floated
free, their hulls half hidden by the faint
imperceptible haze that vexed the hori-
zon. The tide broke in long, low ripples
on the shore. as if III the great heat it
was too DO more than just brim over cnto
the land. t was half past one, and the
sands glaring in the dazzling light were
almost deserted, for the greater part of
the varied throng that all the morning
had covered them with noise and merri-
Iuent had gone home to luncheon
OF all the bathing machines that had
lined the ocean s edge but one remained,
its wheels Tapped with soft murmurs by
the ebbing tide. steep ridge Of peb-
bles rose behind it, and, in IT'S silent soli-
tude it seemed cut off from the great
trob Of humanity. The white gulls
swOOned round il shrieking, on noiseless
wing; one of party of enteTprising boys
threw stone at the door, and passed on
laughing at the hollow ring, leaving it
silent and apart as before.
Further Off group of children we're
still padding with shouts and laughter;
here and there q lingering knot dotted
the white eXpanse with splashes of bril-
liant color. but there was row plenty of
room to wander back and forth where
but an hour ago it was barely possible to
thread a tedious way between the clus-
tered crowds.
one man seemed determined to benefit
10y the changed condition OF affairs, and
paced the smooth floor up and down, now
casting an approving glance at the span
gled sea, now one of thanl1fulness at the
deep blue ornament, as If in gratitude
for the soft salt breeze and glorious sum-
Tner weather
Suddenly a long shriIl scream rang up,
and echoed back clanringly from the
oveUhanging cliffs. At is strange shat
teriug Of the peaceful hush the man
looked up, and beheId the few remaining
stTaggleTs running together over the
soundless sands or rafting pebbles. and
gathering, as if at a signal, round the
bathing machine, which stood still alone
in the water.
"a doctor Fetch a doctor, Quick,
quickl'' he heard some one cry in a
strained voice, as he also turned in the
direction Of the new-found center of in
terest. and as the words fell on his ears
De started and changed his easy dwadIe
for n run.
'Here, - he said, as he elbowed his
way through the gaping mob. excuse
me. Let me pass, please. am 4 doc
tor.
The crowd made reluctant room, and
he found himself at length in the midst
of the excited circle, face to face with an
old woman who appeared to be complete
" overwhelmed with speechIess terror.
She was the bathing woman, as he gath
e"5d from her amphibious costume, and
was as q rule a merry, red-faced creature
enough, but now the blood had sank back
from her face and lips, leaving her
deadly pale, her eyes stared wildly round
her, and she seemed unable to find
words, gasping inaTticulately.
''What IS it?'' said the young doctor
with that decided air of taking the lead
in matters, and assuming all response
hility which is characteristic OF members
of his profession.
There, in there!' painted the old
woman, as if treasured by his presence,
pointing TO the haIf-opened door of the
bathing machine.
He spraug up the steps with bound,
followed by the more eager and less del
icate of the spectators, but no sooner
had he glanced into the interior than he
turned with an air of Indignation and
exclaimed sternly:
'Stand back, stand back, all of you,
What are you doing heTe?''
The iutrudeTs surged back, looking
rather sheepish under the well-deserveG
rebuff. they had received. but grumblmg
under their breath at this Usurpation Of
an authority which threatened TO deprive
them of the expected sensation.
''YoU, sir, if you please, - continued
the doctor, addressing one of the most
respectable looking OF the men, would
sou kindly Oblige me by keeping this
loor2 Let no one enter without nv. per-
mission -
The man, gZatjfed by the preference,
Al once took the place assigned to him,
and the doctor gent,5sins shutting the
door behind him ,s..sk.Ef
The other entrance, opening on to. the
sea, was shaded by 4 large hood-shaped
awning which shut ont nearly all the
liEut, save that which reflected from the
heayiug sea played in ripping lines upon
the ceiling but there was sufficient to
show him stretched upon the floor the
body of 81 woman.
She was q fine, handsome woman of
about five and thirty, lying on her back,
the legs stretched straight ont, the feet
LEE'lEtL- tllt arms 10y llG SUES, SllEU-
lar position for 4 person who had fallen
down in lt. She still wore the dark
blue flannel dress in which she had lately
been bathing, and the water dropping
from il had formed little pools and rivu-
lets on the otherwise dry floor.
A brief examination convinced him
that life was utterly extinct, but the lit
tie warmth which the hands ana feet
yet retained assured him that death had
only taken place comparatively recently.
The dress, as has been said, was soaked
with water, and clung heavily to the
form, but as he Withdrew his hand from
eudeavoriDg vainly TO dGtect some slight
Remaiuing hutter Of the FReart, he say
G9on his finger tips daTkeS stain of un-.l
M ista labte significance. n
Tsh8sTt instant he recoiled with q
slight cry OF horror. as he uncovered the /
bosom his eyes fell upon a gaping wound
beneath the left breast, exactly oYer the
region of the heart.
Good heavens!" he exclaimed.
''why this is
Murder! said sharp voice in his
ear.
He started to his feet in establishment,
as IF Le had believed himself 10 be alone,