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

/ expected" announced Knapp. 'If
you will give me just ten minutes,
will endeavor to find that large remain
der Of money which we have every rea-
son to think is hidden away in this
house,
stop minute" said the coroner.
Let me see what book John is hold
Ing so tightly. Why" he exclaimed,
drawing it out and giving it one
glance. .'it is Biblew
Laying it reverently down, he met
the detectives astonished glance and
seriously remarked:
There is some incongruity between
the presence of this book and the deed
we believed to have been performed
down yonder."
Not at all" quoth the detective
sit was not the man in the chair, but
stable and whispered in his ear: II
have made discovery, sir. l know
you will excuse the presumption, but
! couldn't bring myself to keep quiet
and follow in that other fellows wake.
/ had to make Investigations on my
own account. nd''-stammering
In his eagerness-'t they have been sue
cessful, sir. l have found out who
was the murderer of Agatha Webb
The constable, compassionating the
disappointment in store for him, shook
his head with solemn look toward
the room from which he had just
emerged. You are late, Sweetwater,'
said he. eve have found him out our
selves. and he lies inside there, dead"
1t was dark in this narrow passage
way and Sweetwater's back was to
the moonlight, so that the blank look
that must have crossed his face at this
stable. But his CONSERVATION was evil
dent from the way he thrust out either
hand to steady himself against the
walls, and Mr.. Fenton was not at all
surprised to hear him stammer out:
dead! He! Who do you mean by
he, Mr.. Fenton:"
"The man in whose house we now
are" returned the other. "Is there any
one else who can be suspected of this
crime?" ~
--.SWeetwater gave gulp that seemed
to restore him to himself.
t@There are two men living here, both
very good men, 1 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 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 80
rods away. These men are dead,
Sweetwater, dead from hunger. The
loaf of bread you see there came too
late. 1t was bought with $50 bill,
taken from Agatha Webb's cupboard
drawer"
Sweetwater, 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, as if
stables words.
"Dead." he murmured. dead! John
and James label. What will happen
next? Is the town under curse?"
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.
f'Ah,' he muttered, "the detectives"
And after giving the man from Boston
a close look he turned toward Mr.. Fen
4 ton.
you said something about this good
old man having killed Agatha Webb.
What was it? | was too dazed to take
1t in
Mr.. Fenton, not understanding the
young mans eageness, but willing
enough to enlighten him as to the stua-
ton, told him what reasons there were
for ascribing the crime in the Webb
cottage to the mad deed of these sta,y-
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 room.
"But why murder when he could
have had his loaf for the asking?" re-
monstrated Sweetwater. Agatha Webb
would have gone without a meal any
time to feed wandering tramp. How
much more to supply the necessities
of two of her oldest and dearest
friends"
Eyes" remarked Fenton, "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 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
ner was almost solemn. You must
not take it for granted" 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