Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-02
Davis" Indicating myself, "and fol-
lowed him to the bank building"

Davis" Indicating myself, "and fol-
lowed him to the bank building
"From which time," said |, fulfilling
nv agreement, "Mr. Stdlbridge was
with me every minute until l left the
scene of the tragedy to come here"
"Well, the air is considerably clear
err" remarked Detective johnson. 81
think we shall get along good deal
faster, now, on track of the Grim
innl. Mr.. Davis, about what time was
it when you and Mr.. Stalbridge met at
the bank building?"
about eleven o'clock; l don't know
exactly" 1 replied.
Were you near the main entranceP'
"Yes; we were in the hall"
81 suppose you didn't happen to see
anybody In particular" he said, in his
dullcst tone; "for instance, anybody
who was afterwards conspicuous on
the scene of the crime?"
1t flashed across my mind suddenly
that l had seen the tall Italian enter
the building--the same who had sub
scquently made some stir before tho
door of my uncle's Office.
| mentioned the fact in response to
Johuson's question and despite his
stolidity ! saw that he was pleased.
"Who is the fellow?" demanded.
"a small stakeholder in the Twenty
seventh street company" was the re
ply.
Not AntonelIi?" asked Norman,
quickly.
"Antonio Antonelli," replied the ce.
tectivc, consulting a notebook. 81
have his address here, and few facts
in his history. Hes an interesting
man."
1t was the day following the mur-
der; and Detective johnson and | were
alone together in the room where the
crime had been committed. l had
taken an extraordinary liking for the
fellow. There was frankness in his
manner that was very refreshing, as d
contrast to what | had expected &c
find, considering his proposition.
was nattered perhaps, by the way
in which he had taken me into his conf
dence. There had been no evidence OF
a desire to be ovcr-cautious, to make q
virtue of secrecy regarding trifles
Whenever | asked question of him, he
answered promptly and without re-
serve. On the other hand, when he was
in doubt, he had always asked my
opinion and advice. i remembered in
his favor that he had stated his theory
of the crime openly and at once, instead
&C lnA,,in,r IL for "A n hp a Y
plotted at the inquest when all the re
porters would be presen with note
books and pencils.
My confidence in him was considcra
BILE, and yet l could not wholly subdu'
my impatience. Curiosity was strength
ened by my sense of personal injury
and my natural desire to see justice
done upon a cowardly assassin.
at seems strange that l did not sus
pect Antonclli in the first place" said !
at was an Italians weapon that wal
used, and | might have guessed by hi'
conduct that he was one of the victims
, of the railway deal"
Ills loss is less than thousand dol
lars" replied Johnson; but tina
makes no difference. 1t is the small
loser who is the bitterest, my expert
ence teaches me-"
"lIas he been arrested? ?" asked.
Before he could reply, some on,
raped upon the door. johnson admit
ted uniformed policeman, who mere
ly said "all right" and then went out
1t must have been an important mes
sage, for il worked q wondrous chang,
in the detective. lie at once dropped
his frankness and candor and becam,
the detective of romance. From thi!
unfavorable transformation / ARGUED
that the message should have been al
wrong"
what has happcned?" asked.
You'll know presently" he said.
There was an interval of silence
Johnson was moodly stirring the con
tents of the wastepaper basket with his
cane. The action reminded me of tn,
torn document.
''llas Mrs. johnson succeeded il
patching that paper together" l in
CURED.
Mrs. Johnson?" he echoed, with nj
air of perpleXity.
"Yes! you said you had given it t.
her"
There isn't any Mrs. Johnson" sale
he. 81 never was married."