Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-11-10
The Man With a Thumb.
BY w. c. HUDSON.

 after this lapse of time."
 Ut will"
 'O1r people do not agree with your view of the case"
 Possibly. Was anything ever found m the young mans life to give color to the charger"
 No; that was the puzzler. But the charges were distinct and unequivocal. l will give you copy of the report in the case"
 Thanks; that will be help. But I want that shadow off. It will embarrass my work"
 "I will call him off at once, if you will be responsible for your mans appearance when wanted"
 I will be. In the meantime treat my communication-that is, as to the mans identity-as confidential"
 1t will be so treated. But you had better help us in this matter"
 No, You are competent enough"
 1t is a case dark enough to stagger the most competent"
 The hustle in the adjoining room in- dicated that the coroner and his jury had completed their investigation of the scene of the murder and were departing. The two detectives left the room they had retired to, and the captain accom- panied Cathcart to the door. AS they stood on the top step the captain said:
 MT Cathcart, have a forboding of failure in this affair wfsh l could persuade you to work with us" The old detective looked down upon the throng for moment or two and re- piled;
 'I may work on the case. Its very difficulties attract me. But l cannot work with any one. 1 have had assist ants obedient to my orders, never as- sociates, whose views 1 was compelled to consider. It will be better for us to work apart. We can meet from time to time and compare notes. cannot work any other way"
 The captain shook hands warmly with the old man, saying that so much was better than nothing Cathcart descend ed the steps with his hands in his vest | pockets,
 He sought the minister of the church attended by Mrs Parish and her daugh- ter without delay. Presenting his re- quest to see Mir. Carman upon an i'm portant matter, he was ushered into the parlor MT. Carman came to him promptly, and a single glance suficed to show the old detective that the minister was much agitated.
 Sir" he said, Eff your business can be delayed l would like it. have but this moment learned that one of my parishioners has been foully murdered. It is my duty at once visit the daugh- ter and offer IT such consolation as can."
 1t is about . at murder 1 have called, " replied Cathcart. Permit me to urge you to sit down. Indeed, permit me to urge you to prepare yourself against an- other shock"
 The minister. impressed by the man. ner of the old detective, did as he was requested.
 "Now that you are seated" continued Cathcart, "let me tell you that your visit can be of no use, There is no daughter to console"
 "l do not understand you," wonder ingly replied MT. Carman.
 "This is the shock you must brace up against. In another part of the city last night the daughter was also murdered
 "Oh, my merciful Fatherp cried the minister. "Who are you who brings such dreadful tidings?"
 "I am detective seeking the cause and the perpetrator of the double mur der. The case is shrouded in darkness and no reason as yet appears for these deeds But there was one, and in an in auiry into the lives and antecedents O. these women we hope to discover it."
 But the good old minister was more ! fo tn and he poured forth a torrent of them When his curiosity was satisfied, the de tective began: c "How long have you known these wo T men?"
 | "Since l have been pastor of thi E church, now some twelve years. Bot t mother and daughter were enrolle' members of the congregation when came to it."
 Did you know anything of their SUI roundings?"
 No. l knew her as widow, of small property amply sufficient for thei modest life. They were much respecte in the church" . Did you learn anything of their ante cedents?"
 Why no; when 1 assumed charg their places in the congregation we1 fixed, and accepted them at the valu; tion placed upon them by the other men bers They were unobtrusive peopl reserved, not seeking society, talking nc at all of themselves. made regular pa toral calls upon them. They took lit part in the social side of the church, bl were not remiss in their duties" IT Did they have any intimacies vii to any one in the church."
 II can recall none that were notic able"
 ' Did not the young lady mingle wi the young people?"
 "She did when first came, but wht she was about twenty, say six years az Q she abruptly withdrew herself" SI Gan you recall anything within yo knowledge which at any time seem - uncommon, or out of the way-mystel 0 ous, so to speak?" asked Cathcart.