The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-09-11
CHAPTER /.

The milkman left can of milk on the |
front veranda and drove on TO the next
house in the street. The iceman came
along half an hour later, looked curious
at the closed door, as he unfastened
the hooks from a block of ice, and
raped loudly on the step, but no one
came TO answer his call.
an hour later q young man sleeping
in the front room downstairs awoke
suddenly and sat up in bed. He was
astonished 10 note that the sunlight on
the carpet extended from the window
far into the room. indicating that the
sun had risen above the tall buildings
across the street He felt strange
heayiness in his head, and a desire to lie
down again. but he shook off the feel
ing and rose and began todress.
What could be the matterP The lit
tie clock on his dressing case pointed
20 ten. What had caused him TO over
sleep? Why had Mr.. Strong not walked
him as usual? The old man was always
UP with the sun, and had never allowed
rim 70 sleep later than eight.
The young man hurriedly put on his
trousers, thrust his feet into his slip
pers, and drew aside the portiere that
hung between his room and his uncle's.
Strong's bed was In the righthand
corner of the room, and WILDLY could
see the back part of his head and one
side of his gray whiskers.
WILDLY called TO him softly, but
Strong did not stir. WILDLY called
again, and stamped his foot, but still
the old man remained motionless.
"That's queer" murmured WILDLY,
az he approached the bed. Strong's face
was towards the window; his eyes were
open; CHASTITY smile was on his face.
He was dead WILDLY saw that by the
awful pallor Of his face, which made
each hair of the beard stand out as IL
under n magnifying glass. For mo-
ment WILDLY stood as If turned TO
stone; then he drew down the sheet
which had been drawn up closely under
the old mans chin, and saw the long
deep cash in the throat and the dark
clots OF the blood which had soaked into
the mattress.
WILDLY was strangely calm. In an
instant he had decided on course OF
action. He stepped 20 the telephone
across the room, and looked over the
directory; then he rang, and held the
receiver 90 his ear.
"Hello," he said, chats the central
office, isn't It? Wen, all right; one
seventy-six on four eighty-two, please
"Well, what is it?" presently came
from the telephone.
as that police headquarters?"
"Yes."
81 am Alfred WILDLY, 27s Leighton
avenue. A horrible thing has occurred
here during the night. / have just dis
covered that my uncle, Mr.. Strong
Richard n. Strong. the banker-ha'
been. murdered. Come and attend 4
g."
There was a silence, broken by low
indistinct murmuring as II people wer'
talking at the other end OF the wire
then the reply came:
"All right; as soon as we can &c
there"
Then WILDLY hung up the receive
and rang the bell. He went back int
his room, put on his shirt, collar an
necktie, and brushed his hair. III
head still felt heavy and ached little
The electric cars were whirring past TN
house, and n blind man was pldying a
accordion a few doors away. Their
wns crunching step on the gravele
walk near his window. WILDLY raise
the sash and looked out. IL was Ma
thews, the gardener.
Seeing WILDLY. he touched his ha
stopped, and asked after Mr.. Stront
WILDLY made no reply, but sat down o
tie window-sill and stared at the oil
man. He was wondering IL the polio
would prefer for him 20 keep the new
from the gardener. 10 was the look {
slow establishment coming into Ma
thews' eyes that made him decide whi
TO say.
"Matthews," he said, something h;
happencd; / can tell you that mucl
hut that Is all. have telcphoned II
police; you'd better not come in q
they get here. II were you I'd go Z
with my work; the rose bushes near q
fountain need trimming"
Matthews stared and started 20 spea
but WILDLY withdrew, sat down on u
aide of his bed and tried TO collect h
thoughts. Suddenly he was reused
sharp ring at the door bell. Viii
by's heart sank, and he was all In
culver, but he rose calmly and went
the door. IL was boy with the NOR
ing paper. He held also n bill In i
hand, and wanted TO collect the mon
due 10 him for delivering the paper
ahe month past, but WILDLY sent hi
away. and stood for several minutes
the doorway watching the crowd pa
ing I'm the street. Then he closed I
door, and went into his uncle's roc
and walked restlessly 20 and fro at {
foot Of the bcd. Suddenly he stopp
az the telephone and rang the bell.
zone scyenty-hve on four eighty-tv
please" h~ said.