The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-03-01

shat he understood what was done
there cannot believe or he 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.
It 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
Istiff old fashioned lounge opposite the
door was far from being In accord with
4 the homely type of her surroundings,
Though the victim of violent death.
her face and form. both of beauty
seldom to be found among women of
any station, werelso majestic in their
calm repose that Mr.. Sutherland. as.
customed as he was to her noble an.
pearance. experienced a shock of sur.
prise that found vent in these words:
'Murdered! She? You have made
some mistake. my friends. Look at
her face.'
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 while standing or
sitting at this table," returned the con-
stable. pointing to two or three drops
of blood on its smooth surface. 1.-THE
! weapon we have not found. but the
wound shows that it was inflicted by a
three sided dagger
"a three sided dagger?"
Yes
II didn't know there was such a
thing in town. Philemon could have
had no dagger" ,s f.,s.5 ss'
ut does not seem so but one can
never tell Simple cottages like these
often contain the most unlocked for ar
ticles.'
Mr.. Sutherland thought Of what this
cottage did contain and scrutinized the
constable closely. But thu latter show
ed no discomposure.
Il cannot imagine dagger being
among its Effects he pursued. Where
was the body of Mrs. Webb lying when
you came inw
Where you see it now. Nothing has
been moved or changed.
She was found here, on this lounge.
in the same position in which we see
her now?" ".
Yes, sir So. Il
4 but that is incredible. Look at the
way she lies. !, Hands crossed, eyes
closed, as though made. ready, for her
burial. Only loving hands could have
done this. What does it mean?''
1T means Philemon; that is what it
means, Philemon
Mr.. Sutherland shuddered, but said
nothing. He was dumfounded by these
evidences of carry mans work
Philemon Webb always seemed so
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 a
4 window ledge, dead"
! Yes; she is in this other rom; but
there is no wound on Batsy."
How was she killed, then p
"That the doctors must tell u.s.
Mr.. Sutherland, guided by Mr.. Fen
toms gesture, entered small room
opening into the one in which they
stood. His attention was at once at
tractedbby the body Of the woman he
had seen from below, lying half in and
half out of the open window. That she
was dead was evident; but, as Mr..
4 Fenton had said, no wound was to be
seen upon her. nor were there any
4 marks of blood on or about the place
1 where she lay.
This is dreadful business" groan-
ed Mr.. Sutherland, .'the worst | have
ever had anything to do with. Help
4 me to lift the woman in; she has been
long enough show for the people out
SIDE"
There was bed in this room; indeed,
4 it was Mrs. Webb's bedroom, and
upon this poor Batsy was laid. AS the
face came uppermost both gentlemen
started and looked at each other in
amazement. The expression Of terror
and alarm which it showed was in
striking contrast to the look of exal-
tation to be seen on the face. of her
dead mistress.
CHAPTER III.
MENTAL WRECK.
AS they re-entered the larger room
they were astonished to come upon
Miss Page standing in the doorway.
She was gazing at the recumbent figure