Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-08-27
Continued.

Perhaps if he had realized that the
people regard him with some suspi
cion, he would have managed to post
pone his trip until matters were cleared
up, but nobody suggested to him that
he ought to stay, | suppose
The villagers shook their heads. 1t
looked bad, they thought. If he hadn't
appeared to run away the thing might
have been forgotten, but now-wSl, it
kind of seemed as if something ought
to be done about it. The doctor
shrugged his shoulders at this sugges-
ton but he did not venture to say any
thing. 1t was hard enough for him to
pursue the course he had chosen in ST
lence, without being called upon to
say something about it. He saw that
1t needed but few words to inStigate
a movement looking TO public inves-
tigation, and that, as a medical man,
the people were inclined to turn to him
for their cue. He would not give it,
while at the same time he could not
bring himself to utter fiat contradic-
ton to his own convictions, and thus
sui lue popular ulScOOlent.
And his own convictions? He be-
lieved that Starkweather had been
stunned by an electric shock and his
body thrown into the river He hoped
that Professor Drummond had been in
nocent of any evil intent with regard
to the shock; it might we'll have been
accident or carelessness, but the story
of the BEDROOM and the marvellous
disappearance was wild invention. If
the professor were guilty of pre-
meditated murder, the throwing Of
Starkweather into the Miniski had been
a part of the plan. If he were limo
cent, it was done in terror, without a
fair attempt to restore Starkweather
The professor had hoped that the body
would be carried far away, and thus
all evidence of his crime or careless
ness would be lost. In either event it
was clear that Professor Drummond
feared to face the facts.
The doctor was conscious that there
were flaws in his theory. but he re-
garded them as matters of detail. He
felt certain that his general view of
the matter was correct.
MinOt Hawkins the constable, was
the hardest man he had to deal with.
Minot had little unworthy ambition to
figure as an important character by
making an arrest but he was yet sem
stive to his position in the community,
and there were many who egged him
tn do Snn1ptbn0 IIo hncitatnj to
do anything without ample justifica-
ton for it, but he felt the discomfort
keenly.
The way l look at it. he said to DR..
Williams, lis that somebody's got to
swear out a warrant on information
and belief, or else somebody who knows
must make plain statement that there
want foul play. Now, who's to swear
out that warrant? Not me- for |
haven't information enough to arrest
a cat, and belief haven't at all
OF course it was the doctor who ought
either to back up warrant or settle
the whole matter by professional as
surance that Starkweather came to his
death without violence at the hands of
another party, but MinOt didn't say SO
openly
1T puts me in a kind of a hard box,
Mason he said, plaintively.
"Oh, well, returned the doctor, wait
a while. 1t will probably blow over.
Professor Drummond will return
shortly and if he sees that people look
sideways at him. he may challenge an
inquiry. I've nothing to say.
Cant blame ye, Mason, cause you
amt public officer, but there's good
many who think something ought to be
done"
Free from his friendly tormentors at
last, the doctor was we'll on his way
back to Fairview when he met Phil
brick. He would have passed on with
a nOd, but Philbrick stopped him.
"One moment, doctor" he said, good
humoredly, as if he were unconscious
that his unfailing equanimity irritated
the doctor more than a torrent OF an.
CRY words would have done; II don't
expect you to make up with me and be
friends but you asked for an under
5IduuluS llllS dlltl NUN, Gtlih ~ Iul aS
it is in my power | want to have one.
The doctor made no comment, and
Philbrck continued:
Il don't bear the slightest i'll will
because you attacked me, or for any
other reason In fact, ! rather like
you, but l suppose that statement is Of
fensiYe"
1T seems to me uncalled for, said
the doctor.
Forget it, then. ! returned to Fair
view this afternoon to find my rod and
take away such fishing traps as | left
on the ledge at the top Of the house. .
Convenient thought the doctor but
he didn't say so
Il didn't find the rod, and shall
look for it again tomorrow. Il has
probably lodged somewhere along the
Where are your fishing traps p
asked the doctor
AT Fairyew
Why didn't you take them away ,"
I'm glad YOU ask questions, re-