Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-11-21
.,a hAv. klrled Agatha wJsbr

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"
eweetwater, to whom the whole
scene seemed like some horrible night.
mare, stared at the figure Of James
lying on the floor, and then at the
figure Of John seated at the table, a. II
his mind had failed to take in the con-
stables words.
Dead" he murmured. Dead! John
and James label. What will happen
next? Is the town under cursor
And 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, 1.-THE detectivep
And after giving the man from Boston
q close look he turned toward Mr.. Fen
tan.
Yen said something about this good
cid man having killed Agatha Webb.
What was it? was toe dazed to take
1t in"
Mr.. Fenten, not understanding the
young mans eagerness, but willing
enough to enlishten him ~ to the sltua-
ton, told him what reasons there were
for ascribing the crime in the Webb
cottage to the mad deed Of these starv-
ing men. Sweetwater listened with
open eyes and confused bearing. only
controlling himself when his eyes BY
chance fell upon the quiet figure Of the
detective, now moving softly to and
fro through the roem.
'Dut why murder when he could
have had his loaf for the asking?" re-
msnstrated swestwater. Agatha Webb
would have gone without q meal any
time to feed wandering tramp. How
much more to supply the necessities
Of two Of her Oldest and dearest
friends"
"Yes," remarked Fenten, "but you
forget or perhaps never knew that the
master passion Of these men was pride.
James label ask for bread! can
much sooner imagine him stealing 1t,
yes, or striking blow for 1t, SO that
the blow forever shut the eyes that
saw him do it."
you don't believe your own words,
Nj. Fsnten. Hsw can youY" Sweet
waters hand was On the breast of the
accused man a. he spoke and his man
nsr was almost solemn. "You must
not take 1t for granted" he went on,
his green eyes twinkling with a curious
light, shat all wisdom comes from
Boston. We in Sutherlandtown have
some sparks Of 1t IL they have not yet
been recognized. You are satisfied
here he addressed himself to knapp
''th2t the blow which killed Agatha
Webb was struck by this respectable
old mani"
Knapp smiled, rs II child had ask
ed him this question: but he answered
him good humoredly enough.
you see the dagger lying here with
which the deed was done, and you see
the bread that was bought from Lotion
with $40 bill Of Agatha Webb'a
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 the gate
way with something glitterlng In his
hand. never was 90 beat in my life,
and yet-and yet-if l could have q
few minutes Of quiet thought all by
| myself am certain l could show you
that there 10 more In this matter than
you think. Indeed, know that there
is, but do not like to give my reasons
till have conquered the difficulties
presented BY these men having had
that so bill"
What fellow IL thisY suddenly
broke In Knapp.
"A Adder, a nobody" quietly whis-
pered Mr.. Fenton In his ear.
Sweetwater heard him and changed
in q twtnkling from the uncertain,
half bafded. wholly humble person
they had just seen to man with Z
purpose strong enough to make him
hold his head with the best.
X am musician" he admitted, land
play on the violin for money when
ever the occasion Offers. something
which you will yet congratulate your
self upon II you wish 10 reach the root
Of this mysterious and dastardly crime.
But that am nobody. l deny. snd
mean that this fellow shall agree with
ne before this very night b over.
Only give me an opportunity for con-
sidering this subject and the par.
mission to walk for q few minutes
about this house."
THAT is my prerogatfve," protested
the detective firmly, but without any
display Of feeling. II am the man
employed to pick up whatever clews
the place may present"
"Havc you picked up al that are to
be found in this roomY asked Sweet
water calmly.
Knapp shrugged his shoulders. he
1 was very well satisfied with himself.
"Then give me chance" prayed
sweetwater. "Mr. Fenton," he urged
earnestly, II am not the fool you take
me for. feel, know, have genius
for this kind of thing, and though ]
do play the fiddle, swear there are
| depths to this affair which none of you
have as yet sounded. sirs. where are
the $3.50 in bills which 60 to make UT
the clean thousand that was taken
from the small drawer at the back Of
Agatha Webb's cupboardT
"They are In some secret hiding
place, no doubt, which we win present
ly come upon as we go through the
house." answered Knapp.
"Umph! Then advise you to put
your hand on them as soon az posi-
ble," reported Sweetwater. 81 vii
confine myself to going over thu
ground you have already investigated
And with sudden ignoring Of til,
others presence, which could only
have sprung from an intense egotisn
or from an overwhelming belief in hi
own theory he began an Investigation
Of the room that threw the others
more commonplace efforts entirely ii
the shade.
| Knapp, with slight compression O
his lips, which was the sole expression
Of anger he ever allowed himself, tool