The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-10

Il
solved few mysterious cases in my
time. There was one in particular
which puzzled me tremendously, and
was so clever dodge as to seem al.
most incredible. 1t was at q little vii.
lage in Yorkshire; there had been
murder, with extensive robbery. ]
was wired for, and fastened to attend
with all promptitude. Twas cordially
welcomed by the local inspector, who
informed me that they had arrested
man on suspicion, and that the evi.
dence was very black against him. He
then related all the particulars of the
case to me, which were as follows:
The murdered man was very &c.
centric character, aged about fifty.
With the exception of an extremely
old man, who waited on him, he lived
alone, being confirmed woman hater.
'sThe old man." l burst in; shave
you arrested him?"
The inspector shrugged his shout
ders. "He is eighty years OF age; it
is not possible for him to kill man in
his prime; besides, there are signs OF
a severe struggle. No. we have not ar
rested him."
Chow long has he been in the MUIR
dered mans service?"
"About year and a half"
"Thank you" l jotted that down.
ssPray continue. He did SO.
1--WE know nothing moe about him
except that he was reputed wonder
fully rich. On the morning his old
servant, as was his usual custom. took
HIS rhastet some hot water. He
knocked twice, but, finding there was
no response, opened the door, intend
ing to stand the Jug inside. An awful
sight met his eyes. On the floor lay
his master stone dead, while every
where we're signs OF severe and pro.
tracted struggle. Chairs, tables, boxes,
everything was topsy-turvy."
zone moment" broke in. 'Does
Il not seem strange to you that the old
man should have slept through it allf'
"Not at all. He is as deaf as post
besides, their rooms are far apart.
But to continue. The old man com.
municated with us and / wired for
Won, I carefully searched the house
and grounds. In the library there
was a rather superior looking man OF
the mechanic class. He was lying I'M
conscious. On the table stood q de-
canter Of wine. sHalloa, my man,
thought !, what does this mean?' We
raised him up and examined him. Or
the back of his head was terrific
bruise, most likely where he had
fallen. He showed no signs OF re-
turning consciousness, and l sent FOL
the old nan. / told him how matters
stood. and the old chap shouted out
Hes been at the wine master always
kent a decanter of drugged wine OF
tbis table There was nothing to 81
got out OF him yet, though, SO wen
And examined the garden. l fount
footprints leading to window which
had been forced, and closely ex
amiued them. Then | went back ant
measured the arrested mans boots
thew correspondent exactly with tn
footprints. That's my case; what u
you think of it?"
sWell," / admitted, "it seems YER
strong against the suspected man
Still. i cannot understand him drink
ing wine after committing murder.
"Well, you see, said the inspector
zone glass is enough to drug . ma
for hours." =,
~ see" / replied, "that alters th
case. By.the-bye, does he plead II
nocent or guilty."
sInuocent. He has some faxed stor
about having blow On the head, an
remembering nothing more.
ssAh," / said, "you never know
ench a case as this what's true or nc
true however, we shall see. shout
like TO have an interview with the al
rested man."
fortunately was allowed to go an
axam,ne him and form my own opir
ion / found him an ordinary type
the better class British workman
Comehow the moment l set eyes Q
him felt sure he was innocent. @
nlained who was to him, and that
he WAS innocent it would be my o.
deayor to prove it. He swore that
had no knowledge OF the crime or
how he entered the room.
"Well." l said, syou must tell n
everything you know. shall poss
bly 10 arrive at some conclusion.
"i know but very little, sir. .,
valking along the road in front OF u
house. when, without a SECONDS war
inc. i received severe blow on !, =
head. I remember nothing more.
"were you quite soberTl asked.
eyes, sir; had only one pint
beer" .. -. -
nWhat seems strange to me.
.aid. y sis the fact of your footprln
right across the garden.
sMy footprints, sir What 40 ,
mean 800
tod him that he had been srac
over the garden, and he looked ratl
perpleaei; then he looked down
boots and blurted out:
'.Sir, some one has taken my DO
off and put them on differently.
"Howg".I said. :,
sI tied them IN . bow-now !.
are In hurried knott see!"-aas