Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-08-08

"a y" Nouiu olily DC uGdlL " a SCNoAiA
person, and must nave come from a
very strong hand. aided. probably by
an impetuous rush on the part of the
murderer. The victim, as you may
judge from the position of the body,
was probably knocked down by the
force of the blow; evidently he fell
backward and died without a struggle.
AS o see, the arms are stretched out,
n the limbs are not even drawn up in
the agony of death"
Then the first thing viii be to ascer-
tain the probable motive for the u
der. If it was robbery. the murderer
would surely have riied the body, and
that is not the case, apparently, for
here is a valuable diamond ring on the
left hand"
Mr.. Hantlin. the detective, now spoke
for the first time:
THE murderer might not have had
time TO remove the ring, as, you may
see, IL fits closely; or he may not have
noticed il. Look further
The voice of the young man was pecu.
liar n striking. Once heard. it would
not easily be forgotten. 1t was calm,
low and very clear, perhaps ven cold;
but to an ear sensitive 10 fine vipra-
tions in sound there was an undertone
of warmth that indicated possibilities
of deep feeling and enthusiasm.
William Hantlin was an enthusiast in
his profession, n when a case" was
given to him, he entered on it with all
his heart as well as his head.
The brief remark that now fell from
his lips attracted the attention of all
who heard 1t, and many eyes We're di-
rected toward him-those of Leonce
with a swift gaze that seemed to pierce
him, but might as we'll have been spent
On a marble statue.
The girl swiftly looked away with a
sudden gasp for breath and a quick
shudder that shook her like a chill.
The police captain nodded acquies-
cence to the detectives words, and said:
Yes. we wi. look further; but first,
young man. turning TO Carl, you were
the gentleman's valet, 1 suppose? Per-
haps you car help us by stating what
articles of value Mr.. Grayson had on
his person when you waited on him this
morning"
nay master always carried a valuable
gold watch. 1t was a present from a
friend. and he would as soon have
thought of going out without his hat as
without his watch. l placed it in his
fob this morning myself. TO the chain
was attached a magnificent locket stud
ded with diamonds containing the pic
ture of Miss Mowbray-the lady whom
my master married"
The police captain Immediately looked
for the articles mentioned in the pocket
indicated by Carl.
Watch and locket are gone" he said.
Now, what else, young MANI"
4 INV magfar ALWAYS NOra one Ia rye
diamond solitaire stud in his shirt
'front.'"
"Ha. that's gone. too; and the shirt
front is torn badly!"
This all could see for themselves,
though the CHASTITY blood-stains had
prevented 1t from being observed until.
attention was drawn to IL.
A group of those surrounding the
body now crowded around, exclaiming
and whispering among themselves at
these new developments in the case.
But the captain of police Immediately
requested all to fall back, and directed
his assistants to clear the room of every
one save the relatives of the deceased
and the two friends-Dr. Sprague and
Mr.. Baldwin.
While this was being done, he adj
dressed o last question to Carl:
Now, young man, one word more
had our master any other article OF
value on his person."
When Mr.. Grayson had completed
his toilet, and just as he was about to
leave the room this morning, i saw him
put a wallet containing money and pa
pers, INTO the inside breast pocket of his
coat. / took particular notice of the
circumstance, sir, because 1t was the
wedding coat, and l feared 1t would
spoil the set of it. i said so TO my mas
ter, but he only laughed and said he
guessed he could stand it."
Police Captain Monroe slipped his
hand into the breast pocket of the dead
mans coat and withdrew it empty.
.'The wallet is no longer there" ne
said. "of course the gentleman may
have removed 1t, and also the watch.
If so, we may find them in his apart
ments somewhere. The diamond stud
has evidently been torn forcibly from
its place. Therefore he concluded,
rising to his feet and looking around
upon his hearers. "of one thing there
seems to be little doubt-robbery vas
the motive of the crime. Other valua-
bles are probably missing. The murder
may have been an accident, compare
1 HWY CEN1hiAS L ~ IN iA~J haNS
been interrupted in bis work. and he
may nave killed Mr.. Grayson SO as TO
escape. We will now look about for
some clue TO the murderer; he may not
yet have escaped from the house.
During these proceedings Mrs. Martin
had come forward again. and she now
interrupted the officer a moment to ten
him of the unguarded condition OF the
halls and entrance when she arrived.
Capt. Monroe listened with respect
and attention.
Thank you. madam" he said, when
she had concluded. That throws some
light on the subject. Judging from
what you say, some tramp may have
entered the house. robbed 1t. committee
the murder and escaped unseen"
Pardon me. sir! That would hardly
be possible. To do that he must needs
have taken the chance OF being discov-
cred before he had V reached the
stairs. and granting that. in his alarm
and confusion, he had taken that des-
perate chance, being a stranger, he
couid only have escaped by the front
door, which would have been impossi-
- 49,