Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-16

out with the cook, I've heard. She's a re-
spectacle woman. Her fathers a lighter
man at Kew bridge. l know 'em all here
by sight, Of course. But there's nothing
against them to my knowledge, and I've
been a constable in this subdivision for
eighteen years."
h man-what's his name-Short. Do
| you know him."
Eyes, sir. I've often seen him in the
Star and Garter at Kew bridge"
'Drinks?"
Not much, sir. He was lined over at
Brentford six months ago for letting a dog
go unmuzzled. His greatest friend is one
of the gardeners at the palace-a man
named Burford, a most respectable fellow"
Then there's no suspicion Of anyone, as
YETI" remarked the inspector. with an air
Of dissatisfaction In criminal mysteries
the police often bungle from the outset.
and to me it appeared as though, having no
clue, they were bent on manufacturing one.
I felt in my vest pocket and touched the
little object with a feeling OF secret salts
faction. How l longed to be alone for five
minutes in order to investigate ii.
The inspector having dismissed the con-
stable and sent him back to his post to
unlock the door for the detective to pass
put, next turned his attention to the serv-
ants and the remainder of the house. With
that object we all descended to the dining
room.
Ethelwynn met us at the foot of the
stairs, still wearing the shawl about her
head and shoulders. She placed a trembling
hand upon my arm as l passed, asking In
a low, anxious voice
Have you found anything. Ralph? Tell
me-"
mo, nothing" I replied, and then passed
into the dining room, where the nurse and
domestics had been assembled.
The nurse, a plain matter-of-fac
woman, was the first person to be ques-
toned. She explained to us how she
had given her patient his last dose Of medf-
cine at half past II, just after Miss Mivart
had wished her good night and retired to
her room. Previously she had been down
in the drawing room chatting with the
young lady. The man Short was then up
stairs with his master.
Was the deceased gentleman aware OF
his wife's absence?" the inspector asked
presently.
Eyes. He remarked to me that it was
time she returned. l presume that Short
had told him" .
"What time was this?'
"Oh, about half past 10. I should think,
replied Nurse Kate. HE said something
about 1t being a bad night to go to q
theater and hoped she would not take
cold"
HE was not angry"
"Not in the least. He was never angry
when she went to town. He used to say
to me, My wife's a young woman, nurse
She wants a little amusement sometimes
and I'm sure I don't begrudge it her.
This puzzled me quite as much as 4
puzzled the detective. I had certainly beer
under the impression that husband anC
wife quarreled over the %latter's frequen
absences from home. Indeed, in a house
hold where the wife is young and tn
husband elderly, ~quarrels OF that character
are almost sure to occur sooner or later
As a doctor I knew the causes of domesti'
infelicity in a good many homes. Men II
my profession see a good deal and heaI
more. Every doctor could unfold strangI
Itales OF queer menages, II he were not de
barred by the bond of professional Sc
; crecy.
you heard no noise during the night? ?
! inquired the inspector.
, None. I'm a light sleeper as a rule
and wake at the slightest sound" tn
woman replied. but / heard absolutel.
4 nothing"
Anyone. in order to enter the deai
= mans room. must have passed your door
/ think"
Eyes. And what's more, the light wa
= burning and my door was ajar; | Away
kept it so in order 20 hear II any patient
e wanted anything"
q Then the murderer could see you as b
stood on the la~ndlng?"
mo. There's a screen at the end Of m
bed. He could not see far into the room