The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-26

newspaper office where he was most employed
about 1 o'clock the next day turned down to-
wards the Strand in search of luncheon.
The evening newspapers were being cried
out about the streets, and a shrill-voiced
youngster so persistenly by his side, cry
ing, Horrible murder in London 'otel, mem
Der of the haristocracy found steriously muir
dered!' that in sheer defense, he bought a
copy of one of the papers, and glanced
through the sheet.
What this?
His own name seemed starting out to meet
him, and, as in a dream he read
"a horrible discovery was made at the
Hotel Metropole this morning. Some days
ago, Mr.. EVAN Stewart, a gentleman, pos
sessed of considerable property in Hampshire
and well known as traveller, arrived there
with his servant and engaged a suite of
rooms on the first floor. He was in weak
health, and his servant had received orders
not to enter his bedroom, unless summoned,
as sometimes after a bad night his master
slept late but, at 10 o'clock the bell had
not rung, he knocked at the door, and, re-
ceiving no answer, got alarmed and informed
the manager.
The door was then forced, and Mr.. Stew
art was found apparently lying peacefully
asleep in bed; but, examination, it was
discovered that life was extinct, the unfor-
tunate gentleman having apparently been
strangled. Neither his money nor his valua-
bles had been touched, and at present it is
difficult to suggest reason for the crime.
The matter is already in the capable hands
bered by his eskllful following up of the
thieves in the Ayrshire Bank robbery
Douglas walked on mechanically, his brain
nearly stupef1ed by the shock.
Evan, from whom he had parted only yes
ter6ay, dead-murdered within a few hours
of their reconciliation!
1t was incredible, impossible!
There must be some mistake.
He looked round for suggestion, and
passing cab gave it.
He must go at once to the Metropole, and,
haing the hanson, he jumped in.
In the hall of the great hotel there was
small group of officials, and, marching up to
them, Douglas gave his name and business,
and was at once shown up to the room where
Inspector Reading was in charge, with SUBJ
ordinate taking notes.
Everything looked as commonplace and
orderly as it had on the preceding day; only,
on the bed in the next room something
covered with a white sheet but dreadfully
suggestive in it's rigid outlines.
The inspector asked Douglas numberless
questions about his dead cousins habits and
acquaintance; but Douglas had to own that
for the last year, they had been estranged, Of
which fact the man took a note, and then
interrogated him closely to every word
that had passed between them on the day
before.
murderer of my poor cousin?'' said Douglas,
at last.
The inspector shook his head oracularly.
only fools make theory until they are in
you, a matter of detail, that the gentle
man was most scientifically strangled; no
bungling amateur work about it, He must
have been surprised in his sleep, and could
hardly have had time to stir. The weapon
must have been something soft and thick.
as the skin of the neck is not even broken"
Duglas shivered little at the gruesome
details.
But how did the murderer get in?" he
questioned.
All well, about that 1 am not yet quite
certain. The outer door was locked but / find
on inquiry, that the duplicate key has been
missing from the office for a couple of DAYS
and no one throw any light on its dis
appearance On the other hand it would be
quite possible for active man to get from
the window Of the adjoining room to this I
hare ascertained that Mr.. Stewart ALWAYS
slept with his window open, and last night
the next room was not occupied
And none of his valuables were touched?"
said Douglas, interrogatively.
No, so far as his man can tell u.s. but to
me it looks as if sklful search had been
made among his possessions for something.
For instance, the bed linen was disarranged.
as if hand had been thrust under it, and
all his trunks were unlocked. People some
times have a habit of carrying about with
them documents of valuable or co1is;aron,is