Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-24
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Copyright, 1895, by G. P. Putnam's Sons.l

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Copyright. 1895. by G. P. Putnam's sons.I
CHAPTER VI
MIR. BARNES TRAP.
It must not be supposed from what
has been related that Mr.. Barnes had
lost any Of his old time skill. That he
did not yet quite understand the case
upon which he was working is little to
be wondered at when it is remembered
that less than two days had elapsed since
the robbery had occurred, and that a
great part Of this time he had necessarily
been absent from the city upon another
case.
After his disappointment at discover
ing that the button which he had found
was less valuable than he had at first
| supposed, Re had decided upon a mode
of procedure from which he hoped to
gain much. He had seen many men
finch when brought unexpectedly into
the presence of their murdered victim.
He knew that many in a fit of passion,
or even in cold blood, might have the
nerve to take human life. Few resisted
a shudder when shown the ghastly, mu-
tilated, perhaps decomposing corpse.
When he left the hotel that morning,
it was about 10 O'Clock. While he had
been convinced by Mr.. Mitchell that the
button found ut the scene of the murder
was not one Of the original set, or rath-
er that it could not be proved that it
had been, he was equally satisfied that
/ tho fact that II ,,rccorfaJ a ,,Dr<roit &c
Miss Remsen was significant. Thus,
after all, it was possible that Mr.. Mitch
ell had murdered the woman, or at
least he had visited the apartment. In
either case, supposing that he knew the
woman was dead, it would be idle to
take him up three flights Of stairs to
confront him with the body, for that
would give him ample premonition of
what was about to occur, and he would
readily control his countenance. This is
what the detective did:
He went ut once to the coroner and
| told him enough to have him render his
assistance. Therefore during the time
which had elapsed the coroner had i'm
| paneled a jury, taken them to the scene
| Of the crime and then adjourned the in
quest, leaving the doctors to perform
the autopsy. The body had been taken
down to room on the first floor which
opened directly on the main hall. Here
/ 1t was laid out upon a table, SO placed
that the gaping wound and now hideous
face woAld ut once meet the gaze of any
one entering. The doctors had been in
structed to postpone their work until the
/ unl IS
Barnes knew, as he led the way down
stairs, that his trap was set. As they
reached the main hall he spoke:
Gentlemen, am about to ask a
favor Of you. You were both OH the
train when the robbery was committed.
There is question in relation to it
which should like to ask both Of you
and hear each answer separately. Would
you oblige me-"
with pleasure" said the French
man.
II have already told you that you
may ask mo any questions, said Mr..
Mitchell
"Thank you!' Turning to the hall
boy, who, of course, had been taught
his part, he continued, "Can we find a
room where we can talk privately for a
few minutes?"
Eyes. sir; step this way" and the
boy led them toward the one where the
corpse lay.
"Mr. Mitchell" said Mr.. Barnes,
Twill you wait few minutes? will
not detain you long," Mr. Mitchell bow
ed, and the Frenchman followed the de-
tective into the room, the boy closing
the door after him. Nothing was to be
seen save the table bearing the body, the
doctors being hidden in u room beyond
Mr.. Barnes stopped near the corpse and
simply gazed steadfastly at Mr.. Thauret,
who in turn looked intently at the muir
dercd woman. Not q muscle moved to
show any agitation. Mr.. Barnes waited,
but apparently nothing was to happen
Yet he was determined that the other
should speak first that no might draw
some deduction from his words. There
fore he maintained a stolid silence. Two
minutes passed, which seemed an age,
and then the Frenchman gave the de-
tective genuine surprise. Looking him
straight in the eyes he said in the coolest
tones Imaginable:
| How did you discover that I am a
physician:'
II don't understand you," said Mr..
Barnes. not knowing what the man was
aiming at.
"Mr. Barnes, you brought me into
this room saying that you wished to ask
me q question. When I entered and saw
this corpse. knew at once that your
pretended questioning was but subter-
fuge. wondered why you brought me
in here, and while thinking it out !
kept silent. So have you. Very good.
All can make of it is that, this woman
having been murdered and knowing that
am a physician, you wished an ex.
pert opinion in the case. wondered
how you had discovered that I have q
medical education, and SO I asked you
the question. Do make myself plain?''
"Quite so," said the detective coldly
and much disappointed. my reply
must be that did not know you to be O
physician, and that I did bring you in
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