Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-03-14

~ IL pu lFAS2 the occult science
III .1QA- / f61F,thas never been of
Rp ijRlzzRI nv LI21any practical use
EHTTF ~ n .sS7Sszs55in the detection of
~ sszzs41 ; - crime. One case
>snIiIiG& that came under
my own observation, however, cOntrO-
verts this statement. I have a morbid
habit of imagining the crimes that GER
tain persons of my acquaintance might
commit, If given the temptation and
opportunity. No doubt this mental
peculiarly of mind is due to my Occu-
patton, that of a detective.
I had been sent to Paris upon bust
ness connected with a bank robbery,
and having no charge upon my return
voyage was at liberty to employ my
leisure time in studying my fellOw-pas-
sengers.
I was especially fascinated by
young husband and wife, of whom I
could not learn much except that they
were Newly Orkers and bore the name
of Tracy.
Though I never exchanged a dozen
words with the lady, yet she won my
deepest sympathy, from a certain visit
full expression of her beautiful eyes-a
look which L imagine often character
ICES a neglected wife.
The gentleman was always affable.
and a general favOrite; still, could
not rid myself of the conviction that
he would help his gentle, delicate wife
out of the world if he had any power
full incentive to the crime.
European voyages were rather longer
IN those days than they re now. Ours
was at first prosperous one. The
good ship sped on, through bright days
and starry nights, until we were near
ing New York; then a fierce storm
drove US out of our course, and for a
week most of our passengers were too
sick to care whether we ever reached
our destination or not. Then the gale
abated, and we resumed our Occupa-
lions.
Mr. and Mrs. Tracy did not appear,
however, and / was shocked and star
tied to learn that the lady had died
during the storm, supposedly from
heart disease, aggravated by sea sick
ness, and her body had been consigned
to the watery deep. The funeral had
been hurried, in compliance with the
demands Of superstitiOus sailors, who
in some way learned of Mrs Iracy's
death, and insisted that a corpse on
board would sink the ship
OF course the explanation of the
lady's sudden death seemed reasonable
enough to everybody except myself.
Grave suspicious haunted me that the
poor, sad-faced little wife had been
fOully murdered, without q hand hay
ing been raised either to help OF
avenge her.
But kept my own counsel, for if q
crime had been committed all evi-
DF. hoI I
by the sea, and bringing the Guilt
home would be a hopeless undertaking.
So tried to dismiss the affair from
my mind but at night, in my state
room, a pair Of soft, dark eyes seemed
to haunt me, pleading for help had
no opportunity to see the widOwer. fo1
he remained constantly alone in his
state-roOm, evidently in too deep aflic-
ton to come among us.
We arrived in New York two weeks
behind time, and I found a great deal
Of business waiting for me at the Blu.
reau. My attention was occupied bv 8
hundred new cases, still I was often
haunted by Mrs. Tracy's sad ewes. and
the old suspicious would ariseas to the
causes that led to her mysterious death
at sea.
This was a case in which I had men
sally volunteered my services. vet SC
far could see "no thoroughfare" tC
the end desired. And now. straDoaIy
enough, 1 frequently encountered me-
Tracy, the widower, in nv wander.
Ings, and L occasionally devoted SONS
of my leisure time to shadowino him
so that 1 became pretty well ac9uaint.
ed with his mode of life, which was not
at all that Of a sOrrOw-stricken man
1t was, IN fact, decidedly gay career
IN which he was indulging.
Time rolled on, until it was nearly q
year since my returnfrom Europe. and
with all my experience not a ghost Of
aplan for bringing the gay widower tc
Justice had one presented itself to my
mind. In this emergency I one even
ing cOntided the story to nv sister
Rose, whose quick intuition had offer
thrown light upon some obscure poin-
IN cases was studying.
She was interested at once, and afte1
q little reflection said:
"If you Will contrive some way {,
bring that man here a few times In
social way. think I viii find out som,
plan to force a full confession from
him
I smiled a little doubtfulIy at this
RsI answered: Il hope you viii, sis
ter mine, yet remember, we have no
q particle of evidence against him
Even the ships surgeon was i'll at TIA
time of Mrs, Tracy's death and una
BILE TO attend her.
Eyes. I know all that. answers
Rose, shut you bring him here and
think we viii force a full confession
~