Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-05-28
CHATTER III.

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We'll, yes responded Howkins,
" those that found it didn't know who
n twas"
wasn't there anything about the
clothing 10 identify him. Any papers
In the pocket, or any marks upon the
n person."
"You ask too many questions for
me, doctor. We only heard rhe rumor
~ we was starting OF. but as for
clothing l heard say that the body
was mostly naked"
Where was it foundT' asked Prof.
Drrm niond.
Near the beginning Of the fume to
Waldo's mill. | heard. but I really
don't know anything about il. Think
It's your friend Starkweather. profess
or
II can't hold one opinion or an
other he replied "You see. Stark
weather and / were at breakfast"
and he proceeded TO tell the story of
the young mans death and disappear
6nce with all tine clearness and cir
cumstantial.ty with which he had dis
cussed the matter with the doctor.
Hawkins and MIR. Philbrick listened
attentively.
"Of course" concluded the professor.
there was only one way out Of IT. /
4 1ust have been mistaken in supposing
he man dead, and he recovered suf-
Aeently TO get away after / came down
stairs"
" You think he fell into the river,
them asked Hawkins.
Prof. Drummond shrugged his shout
ders.
II cannot say" he answered. and
"A nr NVfIIfat,,a ,1&f1~l 49, -. -
self-posSessed he was now than form
erly. All evidence of the shock TO
which he had been subjected had left
him
What became OF my servanty' asked
the professor after a moment during
which Hawkins had been examining
his whip handle. Mr.. Philbrfck was
gazing at the mountains miles away
beyond the Miniski.
Give il up She was powerfully
excited"
What did sha say?'
Nothing that you could fasten to.
Dropped dead and Prof. Drummond'
and young man were about all the
words she said, and she didn't get
them in any sort of order. You heard
her, Mr. Philbrick." turning to his
guest.
IL" returned Mr.. Philbrick, shifting
his eyes from the mountains to the
landlord. "Oh, yes. but didn't pay
much attention. / believe L heard the
words dropped dead or something OF
that kind"
Seems to be very mysterious"
mused Hawkins.
Yes" assented the professor, Il
can't understand IT,"
II should think" suggested the land
lord, that you'd want TO go down TO
Waldo's and see for yourself If the
body found is StaIkweather. / haven't
q doubt, myself"
The professor turned with a look of
anxiety TO DR.. Williams.
: do you think I'd better?" he asked.
The young physician flushed.
II don't see how you can ask me-"
he answered. What other respect
able course is open to u.s."
Prof. DrumEnond bit his lip.
"TH go down in an hour or So" he
siad. "Will the body be kept at Wal
dos mill?''
Il dare say it will, but IL it isn't you
can find 1t in the village. / presume
you'll want TO go, won't You, DOCTOR"
Il suppose n physician would be ex-
kCA@CN W eo1C dh AAlCAbSA III AuE dL
ter replied DIR. Williams. Yes, I'll
be down there before long"
You might get In with us, il you
like. Perhaps L could take you both if
you didn't mind crowding."
Never mind; thanks, Mr.. Hawkins"
interposed the professor. "I1l hitch
up and take the doctor down with me.
I suppose a little delay won't matter
as long as the man Is dead
NO, | guess not. Shall | say you're
both coming. them
Yes, il you've a mind TO. III get
ready at once, doctor" and the profess
sor entered the house.
Hawkins did not start back at once.
lie looked up significantly at the doc
tor, who went down the steps and
stood by the wheel OF the buggy.
What do you think of il, doctor?"
asked Hawkins.
why" responded DIR. Williams,
slowly, "the case has some apparently
strange features, but l presume the
strangeness viii entirely disappear
when we get at the facts"
"Humphl Do you think he placed
the mar ON the bed? Perhaps I ought
not TO ask II. as you're his physician.
but Mr.. philbrick and / were talk
ing"
Mere speculative gossip. DIR. Will
Jams" interrupted Mr.. Philbrick. with
a suave smile. I'VE were discussing
the possibilities OF a mystery without
knowing the first thing about the cir
cumstances."
.Well, but you said" began Hawk
ms when Phiibrick again interrupted:
Like others. | jumped at the con-
clusion that the body found at the mill
was that OF the man who had dropped
dead at Fairview. l then INDUCED in
a little idle speculation. as a stranger
will under such circumstances. Be
lieve me. l didn't Lean 10 be taken
seriously"
I'm SIRE no harm has been done"
said DIR. Williams. Your speculation
was natural enough. and as far as I am
concerned. l have no disposition to
conceal anything en- the ground OF be-
ing the family physician. I have not
that honor. I vas here by accident
o after the event occurred, whas-
ever it was. TOR / met the half-crazed
servant myself between here and the
village"
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