Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-10-17

HE has been In the room where she
was killed, so much is evident. But
that he understood what was done
there l cannot believe or lie would not
be sleeping here like log. Come, let
us go upstairs"
Fenton. with an admonitory gesture
toward his subordinate, turned directly
toward the staircase. Mr.. Sutherland
followed him, and they at once pro-
ceeded to the upper hall and into the
large front room, which had been the
scene of the tragedy.
1t was the parlor or sitting room of
this small and unpretentious house. A
rag carpet covered the floor. and the
furniture was OF the plainest kind, but
the woman who lay outstretched on the
stiff old fashioned lounge opposite the
door was far from being in accord with
the homely type of her surroundings.
Though the victim Of a violent death,
her face and form. both of beauty
seldom to be found among women of
any station, We're SO majestic in their
calm repose that Mr. Sutherland, as
customed as he was to her noble APP
pearance, experienced n shock of sur
prise that found vent in these words:
Murdered! She? You have made
some mistake. my friends. Look at
her. FACET
But even in the act of saying this his
eyes fell on the blood which had dyed
her cotton dress. and he cried:
"Where was she struck and where Is
the weapon which made this CHASTITY
wound?,
"She was struck Willie standing or
sitting ut this table," returned the con-
stable, pointing to two or three drops
Of blood OH its smooth surface. 1.-THE
weapon we have not found, but the
wound shows that 1t was inflicted by a
three sided dagger"
"a three sided dagger?"
"Yes."
II didn't know there was such n
thing in town. Philemon could have
had no dagger"
ut does not seem SO, but one can
never tell. Simple cottages like these
often contain the most unlocked for ar
tlclts."
Mr.. Sutherland thought of what this
cottage did contain and scrutinized the
constable closely. But the latter show
ed no discomposure.
II cannot imagine dagger being
among its effects" lie pursued. where
| was the body of Mrs. Webb lying when
you came in?
Where you see it now. Nothing has
been moved or changed"
"She was found here, on this lounge,
LIN the same position in which we see
her now?"
"Yes, sir"
But that is incredible. Look at the
way she lies! Hands crossed, eyes
closed, as though made ready for hei
burial. Only loving hands could have
done this. What does it mean?"
at means Philemon; that is what II
means, Philemon"
Mr.. Sutherland shuddered, but sale
nothing. He was dumfounded by these
evidences of carry mans work
Philemon Webb always seemed 81
harmless though he had been failing
in mind for the last ten years.
But" cried Mr.. Sutherland suddenly
rousing, there is another victim.
saw old woman Batsy hanging from
window ledge, dead"
Eyes; she is in this other room; bu
there is no wound on Batsy."
"How was she killed, then?"
"That the doctors must tell us"
| Mr.. Sutherland, guided by Mr.. Fen
toms gesture, entered small room
opening into the one in which the.
stood. His attention was at once at
tracted by the body of the woman b
I! had seen from below, lying half in AM
49, e, the open window. That sh
l Fenton had said. no ,s.ls y