Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-05-14
CHAPTER II.

It was Capt. Welsh. the chief of po-
lice, and Mr.. Minard Hendricks, the de-
tective from New York. The latter
scarcely nodded when he was intro
duced 10 WILDLY. Hiseharp, gray eyes,
under massive, shaggy brows, rested on
the key which he had just heard WILDLY
turn in the lock.
"IIas no one been out at this door
this morning7" he asked, abruptly.
NO." stammered Whidby-"yes; that
is. l came to answer the ring of a news
boy moment ago."
'And you locked the door after he
left?"
Eyes"
why did you do it?" The detectives
eyes were rowing about the veranda, hall
and yard, but his tone sounded sharp
and to the point. WILDLY felt that he
was waiting for reply.
II don't know" replied the young
man, helplessly. 81 suppose was ex-
cited, and it seemed to me that it would
be best to keep curious people out till
you came"
( Certainly" replied Capt. Welsh; but
the detective went on with frown:
WAS the door unlocked when you
opened it for the newsboy?"
Tim afraid can't remember" an
svsered WILDLY.
THAT is unfortunate" said Hendricks.
''Whcre is the body?''
This way" replied WILDLY. 1.-THE
second door on the right"
The detective opened the door, and
the others followed him to the bed.
He looked long and silently at the face
of the dead man; then he said: "Has
anyone touched this sheet since you dis
covered the murder?"
II drew it down to see where he was
wounded. If had thought"
mo matter" replied the detective,
and he lifted the sheet and examined the
cash. Then he replaced it carefully,
and asked: "liow was the sheet ar
ranged when you found him?"
"Just as tits now, think" said Whid-
by. Just as if the murderer had re-
placed it with both hands, one on each
side, as you did"
Stand where you are" Hendricks
suddenly ordered. lie raised the win
dow-sliade, went down on his hands and
knees, and made minute examination
of the carpet. Then he rose and sur
Keyed the room. Where did you sleep?"
he asked.
WILDLY pointed to the rortiere. 'In
that ROOM"
The detective drew the heavy cur
tnins aside.
"You came through here this morn.
ing?" be asked.
ayes"
Hendricks looked at Whiby's bed
"Slept later than usual this morning
eh?" he asked.
"Yes; ! don't know what was the
matter with me. felt heavy-heatled
and dizzy when awokc."
Capt. Welsh nodded knowingly, but
said nothing.
"You telephoned rs soon as YOU dis.
Eyes,"
"Where do you get your meals?"
"uere, usually: but to-day the cool,
is away on leave of absence. Uncle and
were going over to the Randolph, the
restaurant on the corner, for our meals
I'LL she returned"
"liave you eaten anything this morn.
ing"
mo"
well. you'd better go; we'll look
after everything and telephone the cor
oner."
"All right" replied WILDLY. &c
turned to the wash-stand and filled q
basin from pitcher of water. "Ir
my excitement ! forgot to wash m,
face and hands,"
"Stop!" cried Hendricks, and he
caught WhidbyiS arm as his hands were
almost in the water. Pardon me. bu,
you've stained your fingers somehow
The young man stared at his right
hand in surprise. There was faint red
smudge on the thumb aud fingers
why" he said. II don't see how i,
could have got there. unless won
der IL" WILDLY turned quickly into
the other room and bent over Strong's
bed. "Ah!" lie cried. to the others
'Secl ] must have got it from the cor
ner of the sheet when put it back;
you see there Is blood on the under
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