San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-07-21
Don't trouble.

closing the door of Mrs. Davorn's room
the lock seemed to be unusually OBJ
stlnate ON this occasionally the time
the noise of the closing of the hall door
upon DR.. Percival reached his listening
ears. Then he heard sounds of violent
sobbing proceeding from the front par
lor. The poor young lady's grief is
nothing to me, of course, F" reflected the
constable, who had softer corner in
his heart than he gave himself credit
for. I'VE must see what happened here
during the night. wonder has she
given the word to any of my mates?"
He was not, however, eager to be dis
turbed just then by the advent Of fell
low constable or by an inspector He
was losing no time, and the more infor-
nation he could acquire the better for
everybody. He turned round and again
mounted to the second landing.
Albert Steinworth was leaning against
the jamb of his own bedroom door, Bit
ing his thumb nail.
i suppose il really is all over them"
said the young man, Strengthening his
back and pointing toward the room
where the body lay.
dead as a doornail," said the po-
hceman. 81 thought so myself when I
entered the room this morning
on the stroke of 6 it was then-but it
don't do to be offering professional
opinions in matters of life and death.
has the gentleman in hero" pointing
with the thumb of his right hand,
made any move SINGER"
'No-at least have heard nothing"
.'He ought to be dressed now. Per-
haps he is waiting to be released"
Constable Metcalf knocked at Mr..
Vickery's door, and in response to the
summons heard a gruff "Come imp
The policeman opened the lock, turned
the handle and threw back the door.
Mr.. Vickery, fully dressed, came for
ward as the door opened.
Were you aware, SIR" asked the
constable, that you were locked into
your room last night-or, at all events,
early this morning?"
A puzzled look stole into the bloodshot
eyes of Bernard Vickery.
Locked into my room? don't quite
understand you. What do you mean?"
"Why, that 1 found your door, as
well as the other one ON the landing,
locked from the outside.
There was perplexed look in Bernard
Vickery's eyes as the policeman ex-
planned about the doors. "That is odd,
surely" said he. 81 seldom trouble
about my lock at night or about the in
side bolt. am generally late bird
But who could have locked me in. or
why?'
Don't ask me. Now, gentlemen, I
want to have word with Miss Rodney
What will you do with yourselves mean
while? Recollect am acting for my
self, but l think am right in saying
that you must not leave the house until
have further instructions about you.
II suppose, then," said Steinworth,
who had been strangely silent, "that l
may put Paddington finally out of my
head?"
II should say so"
"All right, policeman. There is no
use in crying over spilled milk " He
took off his hat and rubbed the sleeve of |
his coat round it.
"You see, we shall want the assist
ance of every one in the house to clear
up the mystery-for it looks bit mys-
terious-of Mrs. Davorn's death All I
think I hear the voice of one of my
mates in the hall I'll send him up here
to you while I go down to the young
lady. You'll keep my mate in chat,
hope, gentlemen. It's very awkward,
know. He's gruff sort of customer,
but he means we'll "
Steinworth nodded In careless way,
and, abandoning his hat, he again ad-
dressed himself to his mustache.
Now, sir" said Constable Metcaf,
glancing at Mr.. Vickery, "I'n take the
liberty of locking your room"
"This is very arbitrary, surely" OBJ
served MIR. Vickery.
"Net at all, SIR" locking the door as
vickery stepped tremblingly out ON the
landing. "Now I'll run down stairs, (
gentlemen.
Can / have just one word with
you," asked Albert Steinworth, "say
IN the lower landing?"
Certainly, only remember I am a {
policeman.
1.-THE caution, if it is meant for such,
S, l think, unnecessary" following the {
constable down the five steps.
What l want to ask you, " said Stein ]
worth, lowering his voice almost to a c
whisper, sis, what does the doctor say?" '
About Mrs Davorn?" inquired Met S
,alf, placing his open hand ON the door a
which now separated him from the dead t
b
Eyes; what does he think of it?" e
81 don't know what he thinks-he's f
lot very free with his thoughts, but I b
hould say he thinks with me, that it is o
il
"What? Chloroform
Eyes; looks rather like it. -