The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1897-05-26
THE TIEOF A BOOT
LACE.

There was one in particular which puZ-
zled me tremendously, and was SO clever
a dodge as to seem almost incredible. 1t
was at little country village. There
had been murder, with extensive rob
berry. I was wired for, and fastened to
attend with all promptitude l was cor
daily welcomed by the local inspector
who informed me that they had arrested
a man on suspicion, and that the evil
donce was black against him. He then
related all the particulars of the case to
me- which were as follows
The murdered man was very eccen-
trio character, aged about fifty. With
the exception of an extremely old man.
who waited on him, he lived alone, being
a confirmed woman hater
THE old man. l burst in, have you
arrested him?''
The inspector shrugged his shoulders.
He is eighty years of age; it is not
possible for him to kill a man in his
prime; besides, there are signs of a Sc
we're struggle. No, we have not arrested
him.
How long has he been in the murder
ed mans service?"
About a year and half
THANK YOU" I jotted that down.
Pray continue" He did so.
I'VE know nothing more about him ex
cept that he was reputed wonderfully
rich. On the morning his old servant, as
was his usual custom, took his master
some hot water He knocked twice, but
finding there was no response, opened
the door, intending to stand the jug in
Gil f1,l cioht
the floor lay his master stone dead, while
everywhere were signs of a severe strug-
gle Chairs, tables, boxes, everything
was topsy-turvy."
"One moment" l broke in. Does it
not seem strange to you that the old
man should have slept through it ALP
Not at all. He is as deaf as a post;
BESIDES their rooms are far apart. But
to continue. The old man communicated
with us, and l wired to you. l carefully
searched the house and grounds. In the
library there was a rather superior-look
ing man of the mechanic class. He was
lying unconscious In the table stood
decanter of wine. Halo, my man.
thought I, what does this mean?' We
raised him up and examined him. On
the back Of his read was a terrific bruise
most likely where he had fallen. He
showed no signs Of returning conscious
ness, and | sent for the old man. l told
him how matters stood, and the old chap
shouted out, He's been at the wine;
master always kept a decanter of drug
ged wine on this table There was moth
ing to be got out Of him yet, though, SO
I went and examined the garden. I found
footprints leading to window which
had been forced, and closely examined
them. Then I went back and measured
the arrested mans boots; they CORE
sponded exactly with the footprints.
That's my case; what do you think Of
it?"
WELL I admitted, cit seems very
strong against the suspected man. Still
I cannot understand him drinking wine
after committing murder"
well, you see,'' said the inspector,
lone glass is enough to drug man for
hours
81 see,'' I replied, that alters the case.
BY the by, does he plead innocent OF
guilty?"
innocent. He has some faxed story
about having a blow on the head, and
remembering nothing more.
"Ah," [ said, you never know in such
case as this what's true or not true;
however, we shall see. 1 should like to
have an interview with the arrested
man.
Fortunately 1 was allowed to go and
examine him and form my own opinion.