The Mena weekly star., 1896-09-16
BY THE TIE OF A B0OTLACE.

l From Tit-BitS.
 I suppose you have had great many in | teresting experiences? remarked to an ex-detective now great friend of mine. Yes, he replied, I may say that l have l solved a few mysterious cases in my time. | There was one in particular which puzzled me tremendously, and was so clever a | dodge as to seem almost incredible. It was at little village in Yorkshire; there had | been a murder with extensive robbery. l was wired for and hastened to attend with all proinptitude I was cordially welcomed by the local inspector, who informed me that they had arrested a man on suspi-
 cioE and that the evidence was very black against him. He then related all the par ticulars of the case to me, which were as follcws
 The murdered man was a very eccentric character aged about 50 With the excep- ton of an extremely old man who waited
 on him. he lived alone. being a confirmed
 ''The old man." burst in; 'haye you ar- rested him?"
 The inspector shrugged his shoulders. He Is SO years of age. It IS not poSslble for him to kill man in his prime; besides, there are signs of severe struggle. No, we have not arrested him.
 How long had he been in the murdered mans servce?'
 About a year and a half"
 Thank you" l jotted that down. Pray continue" He did so.
 We know nothing more about him, ex- cept that he was reputed wonderfully rich. On the morning his old servant, as was his usual custom took his master some hot water. He knocked twice, but finding there was no response, opened the door, intending to stand the jug inside. An aw ful sight met his eyes. On the floor lay his master stone dead, while everywhere were signs of protracted and severe struggle. Chairs, tables. boxes, everything was topsy-turvy."
 'One moment" I broke in. 'Does it not seem strange to you that the old man should have slept through it all?"
 Not at all He is as deaf as a post; be- sides, their rooms are far apart But to continue. The old man communicated with us and wired for you. I carefully search ed the house and grounds. In the library there was rather superior looking man of the mechanic class. He was lying un- conscious. On the table stood a decanter of wine. Halloa, my man. thought I. what does this mean? We raised him up head was a terrific bruise, most likely where he had fallen. He showed no signs of returning consciousness and I sent for the old man. l told him how matters stood at the wine; master always kept a decant- CT Of drugRed wine on the table. There was nothing to be got out of him yet though, so I went and examined the gar den. l found footprints leading to a win dow which had been forced and closely ex- measured the arrested rest mans mgP boots theg heg ecorresponded exactly. with the footprints. That's .a, $, my case; what do you think of it?'' strong against the suspected man. Still, can not understand him drinking wine af- ter committing the murder.
 Well, you see," said the inspector, lone glass is enough to drug a man for hours"
 T see.'' I replied, that alters the case. guilty?"
 Innocent. He has some faked story about having blow on the head and re- membering nothing more"
 An ] said, you never know in such case as this what's true or not true how ever we shall see. I should like to have an interview with the arrested man"
 Fortunately 1 was allowed to go and ex- amine him and form my own opinion. found him an ordinary type of the better class of British workman. Somehow the moment I set eyes on him I felt sure he was innocent. I explained who I was to Jim. and that if he was innocent it would be my endeavor to prove it. He sWore that he had no knowledge of the crime or of how he entered the room.
 Well" I said. you must tell me every thing you know. I shall possibly be able to arrive at some conclusion"
 T know but verl little, sir. was walk ing along the road in front of the house when, without a seconds warning I re- ceived severe blow on the head. I re- member nothing more.''
 Were you quite Sober2y | ad-------.nu.a.l