The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-19
Dead He. who do you mean by he

Dead! He! Who do you mean by he
Mr.. Fenton?"
THE man in whose house we now
are" returned the other. rs there any
+ one else who can be suspected of this
crime?''
Sweetwater gave a. gulp that seemed
to restore him to himself.
There are two men living here, both
very good men, l thought. Which OF
them do you mean, and why do you
think that either John or James label
could have killed Agatha Webb?"
For reply, Mr.. Fenton drew him to-
ward the room in which such a great
heart tragedy had taken place.
Look" said he. and see what can
happen in a Christian land in the
midst of Christian people living not
I fifty rods away. These men are dead,
Sweetwater, dead from hunger The
loaf of bread you see there came too
late. 1t was bought with a $40 bill,
taken from Agatha Webb's cupboard
drawer"
Sweetwater, to whom the whole scene
seemed like some horrible nightmare,
stared at the figure of James lying on
the floor, and then at the figure of John
seated at the table, as if his mind had
failed TO take in the constable's words.
Dead" he murmured. Dead! John
and James label. What will happen
he fell on his knees before the PROSTATE
form of James, only to start up again
as he saw the eyes of Knapp resting
on him.
"Ah," he muttered, "the detective!"
And after giving the man from Boston
close look he turned toward Mr. Fen
ton.
You said something about this good
old man having killed Agatha Webb.
What was it? [ was too dazed to take
it In
Mr.. Fenton, not understanding the
young mans eagerness, but willing
enough to enlighten him as to the stu
alton, told him what reasons there were
for aScribing the crime in the Webb
cottage to the mad need of these starry
ing men. Sweetwater listened with open
eyes and confused bearing, only con-
| trolling himself when his eyes by
i chance fell upon the quiet figure of the
detective, now moving softly to and fro
4 through the room.
But why murder when he. could have
had his loaf for the asking?" remon-
strated SWeetWater. Agatha Webb
would have gone without a meal any
time to feed d wandering tramp; how
much more to supply the necessities of
/ two OF her Oldest and dearest friends"
( Yes" remarked Fenton but YOU
.
master passion of these men was pride
James label ask for bread! can much
sooner imagine him stealing it; yes, or
striking blow for it, SO that the blow
forever shut the eyes that saw him
do it,
You don't believe your own words.
Mr.. Fenton. How can you?" Sweet
waters hand was on the breast of the
accused man as he spoke, and his man
w n r11nS colo, -
take it for granted,'S he went on, his
green eyes twinkling with curious
light, that all wisdom comes from
Boston. We in SutherlandtoWn have
some sparks of it, if they have not yet
been recognized. You are satisfied
here he addressed himself to Knapp
that the blow which killed Agatha
Webp was struck by this respectable
old MANI"
Knapp smiled as if child had asked
him this question; but he answered him
spontaneously enough.
You see the dagger lying here with
Which the deed was done, and YOU see
the bread that was bought from Lotion
with $50 billsof Agatha Webb's money.
In these you can read my answer"
Good evidence" acknowledged
Sweetwater, very good evidence, when
we remember Mr. Cranes story of the
Old man he met rushing from her gate
way with something glittering in his
hand. l never was SO beat in my life
and yet-and yet-if l could have a few
minutes of quiet thought all by myself
L am certain l could show you that
there is more to this matter than Won
think. Indeed, / know that there is.
but L do not like to give my reasons
TIL L have conquered the difficulties
presented by these men having had
that $40 BILL
What fellow is this?" suddenly broke
in Knapp.
"A fiddler, nobody" quietly whis-
pered Mr.. Fenton in his ear.
SWeetWater heard him and changed
in tWinkling from the uncertain.
half baff1ed, wholly humble person they
had just seen to a man with a purpose
strong enough to make him hold his
head with the best
Il am a musician" he admitted. land
L play on the violin for money when
ever the occasion offers, something
which you will yet congratulate your
selves upon if you wish to reach the
root OF this mysterious and dastardly
CRIME. But that l am nobody I deny
and mean that this fellow shall agree
with me before this very night is over
only give me an opportunity for con-
Slderlng this subject, and the pernls-
sion to walk for a few minutes about |
this house,
That is my prerogative," protested
the detective firmly, but without anv
display of feeling. Il am the man en-
ployed to pick up whatever clues the
place may present"
Have you picked up all that are to |
be found in this room?" asked Sweet |
water calmly.
Knapp shrugged his shoulders. He
was very well satisfied with himself.
Then give me a chance" prayed |
SWeetWater. Mr.. Fenton,'' he urged |
more earnestly. Il am not the fool Won
take me for. L feel, l know, 1 have a
genius for this kind of thing, and
though | am not prepossessing to look
at and though l do play the fiddle, |
swear there are depths to this affair
which none Of you have as yet sounded.
Slrs, where are the $3.50 in bills which
go to make up the clean thousand that
was taken from the small drawer al
the back of Agatha Webb's cupboard? ?"
They are in some secret hiding place.
no doubt which we will presently come
upon as we so through the house" an
swered Knapp.
"Umph. Then I advise you to nut
your hand on them as soon as possible,
retorted SWeetWater II will confine
myself to going over the ground Won
have already investigated And with
a sudden ignoring of the others pres
snce, which could only have sprung
from an intense egotism or from an
overwhelming belief in his own theory
ne began an investigation of the room
hat threw the others more common
place efforts entirely in the shade.
Knapp, with a slight compression of
lis lips, which was the sole expression
II anger he ever allowed himself took