The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-03-22

the verge of extravaganza, but there
| were no pictures on the walls now,
nor was there SO much as candle
stick on the empty and dust covered
! mantel. Only on bracket in one COR
ner there was worthless trinket made
out of cloves and beads which had
doubtless been given them by some
country damsel in their young bachelor
\ days. But nothing of any value any
| where. and Mr.. Eenton felt that he
now knew why they had made so
many visits to Boston at one time and
why they always returned with a
thinner valise than they took away.
He was still dwelling on the thought
of the depth of misery to which highly
respected folk can sink without the
knowledge Of the nearest neighbors,
when Abel came back looking greatly
troubled
ITS the saddest thing ever heard
Of said he. These men must have
been driven Wild by misery. This
room is sumptuous in comparison to
the ones at the back; and as for the
pantry. there is not even scrap there
! a mouse could eat. struck match
and glanced into the -four barrel. 1t
looked as if it had been licked. de-
clare it makes a fellow sick"
The constable with shudder with
drew toward the door.
''The atmosphere here is sitting"
said he. Il must have breath of
outdoor air"
But he was not destined to any such
immediate relief AS he moved down
the hall the form of man darkened
the doorway and he heard an anxious
voice eXclaim:
"Ah, Mr.. Fenton, is that you? | have
been looking for you everywhere"
1t was Sweetwater, the young man
who had previously shown so much
anxiety to be of service to the coroner.
Mr.. Fenton looked displeased.
"And how come you to find me
here?" he asked.
"Oh. some men saw you take this
road. and | guessed the rest"
ooh, ah. very good. And what do
you want. Sweetwater%'
The young man. who was glowing
with pride and all alive with an en-
.lsusiasm which he had kept suppress
ed for hours. slipped up to the con-
mean that this fellow shall agree with
me before this very night is over
Only give. me an opportunity for con-
sidering this subject and the per-
mission to walk for a few minutes
about this house
That is my prerogative.' protested
the detective firmly, but without any
! display Of feeling. II am the man
employed to pick up whatever clews
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 chances" prayed
! Sweetwater. 'Nr. Fenton," he urged
earnestly, 81 am not the fool you take
me for. | feel, l know, l have genius
for this kind of thing, and though
do play the fiddle, l swear there are
/ depths to this affair which none of you
4 have as yet sounded. Sirs, where are
/ the $3.50 i'll bills which go to make up
the clean thousand that was taken
from the small drawer at the back of
Agatha Webb's cupboard?"
"They are in some secret hiding
place, no doubt. which we will present
ly come upon as we go through the
house" answered Knapp.
"Umph! Then l advise you to put
your hand on them as soon as posi-
ble,'' reported Sweetwater. 81 will
contine myself to going over the
ground you lave already investigated"
And with a sudden ignoring of the
others presence, which could only
have sprung from an intense egotisln
or from an overwhelming belief in his
own theory he began an Investigation
of the room that threw the others
more commonplace efforts entirely in
the shade.
Knapp, with slight compression OF
his lips, which was the sole expression
Of anger he ever allowed himself, took
up his hat and made his bow to Mr.
Fenton.
81 see" said he, chat the sympathy
of those present is with the loca
talent. Let local talent work, then
sir and when you want me send tx
the tavern on the docks. where | viii
be found till am notified that m.
services are no longer required"
''No. mol" protested MI. Fenton
} This boys enthusiasm will soon evap
crate. Let him fuss away if he will
His petty business need not Interrupt
, as
But he understands himself" whis
pered Knapp Il should think he hat
, been On our own force for years"
"All the more reason to see what he'
! up to. Wait. if only to satisfy you
own curiosity. | shan't let many min
utes go by before pull him up"
} Knapp, who was really of cold ant
unimpressioaable temperament, re
Trained from further argument, AM
confined himself to watching the youn
man, whose movements seemed to fas
cinate him.
"Astonishing" Mr.. Fenton hear,
[ him m,lttar IN himcelf HJa'c NOR