The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-10-09
THE CASE
OF TENONI
BY MARVIN DANA
BY MARVIN DANA
Copyright. 1901. by Marvin Dana

MaFCQ 20 WOudA cutcICO lAS Aoh "a
the Grand hotel, New York city. She
was evidently young. hardly more than
a girl, with face rather too pale, but
made charming by regular features
and large dark eyes.
She walked without any hesitation
to the Office and inquired:
lis Senior Tenoni inY'
The clerk struck bell and shouted.
"Fronty'
The end boy of the row seated on a
bench started up and presented him
self before the clerk with Yes. SIR"
''Show this lady to No. 49,"
"Oh, no." exclaimed the visitor. II
know where Senior Tenoni's room is.
But would you be so kind as to do ME
great favor?" she queried.
with pleasure. | shall be very
pleased to do anything can for YOU
please take this letter." With the
words she held out an envelope.
"Why. it's addrt ss>d to me!'
Eyes; it Is addressed to you"
"But did not know | knew you
that Is. didn't know you knew me-"
cried the astonished man. ..-. ....
mo. l suppose not" answered the
girl. with some embarrassment. Then
she added: But you must promise not
to open it for at least half an hour.
Will you give me your word?"
"Why. yes. of course" the clerk an.
swered. with as much grace of manner
as one so puzzled could command.
vi1;&
and went slowly down the corridor.
The clerk stared after her and saw her
pause and knock at No. Is. She wait
| ed a moment. apparently for an an
| swer. then opened the door and en-
tered. When the door had closed be-
hind her. he turned to a careful con-
temptation of the letter. which was ad-
dressed in dainty handwriting:
"John Briggs. Esq, Grand Hotel"
The envelope could properly be
opened at half past 3. At a quarter
past the door of No. IS opened, but it
was Tenoni who appeared. He was
a word to any one.
"Now, that's funny" meditated the
clerk. "But he'll be back soon. sup
pose"
But the moments dragged on. and Te-
noni did not return.
',This is a curious business" the
clerk nused. and then. it being one
minute of half past 3. he opened the
letter. 1t ran as follows:
| Dear Mr.. Briggs circumstances I must
not reveal have surrounded me with per-
lis l must see Senior Tenoni today, but
| he Ia a desperate man. If you should
| hear me shrek. come to my help, and If
do not come out of his room by 4
o'clock have a search made for me. I
| trust my life to you. for have heard Of
your noble character from a mutual
| friend. When we next meet, all will be
made clear to you. JULIA CRAMER.
Mr.. Briggs turned pale as he read
this extraordinary document.
In few minutes the whole hotel
was in an uprOar. Repeated knock
ings at No. Is gained no response. Then
the door was tried and found to be
locked. Ultimately the police were
summoned, the door was beaten open.
and a search was made. Nobody was
found. nor was there any trace of the
woman who, according to the evil
dence Of eyewitnesses, clerks, bell
l
3 O'Clock, but had never come out.
The same night Tenoni was arrested,
charged with having murdered his Wis.,
itor.
| When Tenoni was arraigned, court,
jury, bar and public were much affect
ed by the charms of the victim as set
forth by the clerk, the porter and the
bellboys. The most strenuous efforts
on the part of the police failed to dis
cover any other person answering to
the name or description of Julia Cra-
mer. 1t was hoped that Tenoni would
confess and explain the singular means
by which be had managed to dispose
of the body. But Tenoni seemed pos
sessed of dauntless effrontery and in
sisted that he had never known any
person named Julia Cramer.
When the accused had been sworn,
the following questions and answers
were given:
"Were you in your room at the
Grand hotel at the time when, as
stated by the witnesses who preceded
you, this person entered the hotel and
asked for your"
81 was not"
This answer caused much surprise
and rather increased the general feel
ing of the prisoners guilt, since a
number of witnesses had testified to
having seen him leave the room q few
minutes later.
Ibid you have any visitor in your
room at the hotel on the day in ques-
ton"
IT did not"
A murmur of disapprobation arose,
but ceased when the counsel passed to
| the clerk of the court small parcel
which had been lying on the table be-
fore him. b..
~ wish to offer in evidence the con.
tents of this parcel"
The articles were passed to the judge,
who examined them curiously. The
counsel then asked that they should
be examined by the prisoner, who,
however. hardly glanced at them. but
left them lying in his lap.
Counsel for the defense requested
that Mr. Briggs should be recalled.
Il Then he asked:
"You have very clear remembrance
of the appearance Of this grip"
"Sir," Mr.. Griggs replied with emo
ton. 'her form and face are forever
enshrined in my heart"
every good" quoth the counsel.
Nov tell me, If you please. what sor,
of a gown she wore"
sit was blue skirt with white
stripes, and blouse of the same sort. %
"And what sort of hair did she
havew
Every dark, almost black, and lots
Of it, curling all around her face"
"And her hatY'
ct was just an ordinary straw sailor
with a blue and white ribbon"
would you know her again If you
saw herY
"Would I!'' There was keen re
proach in the tone of the exclamation.
| hos In thn rf nf