The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-03


Mora started perceptibly, bit his lip
and strained every muscle in his body
| in his effort to preserve his self con-
| troll. All of this Mr.. Barnes saw, and
he considered that his maneuyer had
| succeeded.
Mr.. Mitchell, closely observing both
| men, also comprehended the intent of
| the detective as we'll as its effect, but
he decided that Mr.. Barnes had made
a grave error. 1t seemed more than
| probable that Morton was an alias Of
the man before them, and so much
had been proved by taking him by sur
| prise. But at the same time he was
now on his guard and could better
prepare his defense, especially as Mr..
Barnes could not play his trump cards
at once. The situation, therefore. to
Mr.. Mitchell was increasing in interest
| Il will answer whatever you choose
to ask" presently came Mora's reply.
You have suggested, Mr.. Mora. that
the murderer of your father took your
| plaid suit of clothes and wore them
over his own when leaving the house.
Do you still adhere to that theory
81 never said that I believed it," was
the answer.
You did not claim to believe it,"
exclaimed the detective, thoroughly
astonished.
NO" said Mora coolly. Let me ex-
plain. l think it was you who adj
vanced theory that because a man in
plaid suit was seen at our house it
l NJ
| parry your attack l suggested a theory
equally tenable, which agreed with my
claim of innocence as we'll as your
theory sustained your charge of guilt.
| But you cannot find it in the records
that I said that l believed my own
| proposition. 1t was the first that oc-
| Cured to me, and utilized it. could
think of others equally good, perhaps
better, for that one had flaw in it
which | was surprised to see passed
unnoticed."
perhaps you would not mind telling
me the flaw in your own proposition"
said Mr. Barnes. with slight sheer.
"With pleasure" answered Mora,
ignoring the tone of sarcasm. 1T is
very evident. If the Waterman was to
| be relied OH when he said that he saw
| the plaid suit come out Of the house. he
must have been equally right in say
ing that he saw it go in. See?"
| He laughed in tantalizing manner.
and Mr. Barnes was annoyed. Mr..
Mitchell was startled little to hear
Mora using the identical argument adj
vanced by Preacher Jim. Ynt Mr.
Barnes thought the latter insane. while
here was an important point, over
looked by himself, though clear to two
others.
"You said that you could advance
other theories agreeing with your plea
of innocence, yet explaining the fact
about the suit of clothes,' said Mr..
Barnes, determined to press this mat
ter. 81 would like to hear one-one
without a flaw this time"
Nothing easier. Let us suppose
that the murderer stole the suit before
committing his crime, instead of after
ward, and there you are. The watch
mans story is true, and yet I am not
in it. to use slang phrase-not in the
suit 1 mean. What do you say to
that?"
II asked you for theory without a
faw," replied Mr.. Barnes.
"And where is the flaw in this?"
IF your clothing had been stolen,
you would have complained of the
loss" said the detective
"Not if the theft occurred on the
night of the murder and was therefore
| time
'Not good enough. Mr.. Mora. No one
entered that house that night but your
self and the murderer, if indeed there
We're two. No thief went in earlier in
the evening and came out again, as he
must have done to be seen going in
wearing your suit
you are very shrewd Mr. Detective
but you are not omniscient. You argue
from the premise that the suit was in
the house, whereas, as matter of fact,
it was not
Where, then, was it?"
"At some rooms l have down in Els
sex street"
The audacity of this reply made Mr..
Barnes staff to his feet, while Mr..
Mitchell, adrliring the craftiness of the
move, listened with redoubled interest
Then you admit that you have an
other home" calculated the detective.
why not. since you know it?" was
the cool rejoinder.
"Ah, then you also confess that you
call yourself Morton there and that you
have wife, who
Not SO fast. Mr.. Barnes. am not
confessing any such nonsense. | had
a room there because | found it con
venient in my summing trips to sleep
down town occasionally; also to have
a place where | could change my cloth
ing to less expensive apparel than
usually wear. also think it safe
enough to say that there is Mrs. Nor.
ton in the same house. | will go fur
Their and tell you that l know the lady
very well and that it was she who rec.
commended the room to me- When en-.
gagged the place, | gave the name Nor
/ ton. desiring, first, to hide my own
Identity, and, secondly, to account fol