Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-16

less; hence it was plain that the muir
derers had carried it away. There were
no signs whatever of q struggle, and no.
thing to indicate that the blow had been
struck by any burglar with motive Oh
silencing the PROSTATE man.
The room was a large front one on
the first floor, with two French windows
opening upon q balcony formed by the
big square portico. Both were found
to be secured not only by the latches
but also by long screws as an extra pre-
caution against thieves-old MI Courte-
nay, like many other elderly people. pc
ing extremely nervous about midnight IN
truuers The bedroom itself was well fur-
nished in genuine Sheraton, which he
had brought up from his palatial home in
Devonshire, for the old man was by no
means a miser, and denied himself no
comfort The easy chair in Which he mad
sat wnen I had paid my visit was stlil
in It's place at the freside with the foot
stool just as he had left it; the drawers
which we opened one after another, snow
ed no signs of having been rummased;
and the sum result OF our Investigations
was absolutely nil
1T looks very much as though some
one in the house had done it, whispered
the inspector seriously to me. having fllrst
glanced at the door to ascertain that 1t
was closed.
Yes" / admitted. appearances GER
tainly 90 point to that
.Who was the young lady who met US
down-stairs?" inquired the detective ser
seant, producing a small notebook and
pencil!
Miss Ethelwynn Mvart-sister to Mrs
Courtenay."
"And is Mrs. Courtenay at homer he
inquired, making a note of the name
.'No. We have sent for her. she S
~, frsa dc in nrR0
'.Hulloa. There's an iron safe here"
exclaimed one Of the men. rummaging
on the opposite side of the room. He
had pulled away chest Of drawers from
the WALL revealing what / had never no
tced before, the door Of small fire
proof safe built into the wall
s'Is it locked?" inquired the inspector.
The man after trying the knob and eA-
aiming the keyhole, replied in the af-
1irmative.
Keeps his deeds and jewery there.
suppose remarked one of the other de-
tectives HE seems to have been very
afraid of burglars. I wonder whether
he had any reason for that?'
Like many old men, he was a trife
eccentric" replied. Thieves once broe
into his country house years ago. l be-
lieve, and he. therefore. entertained
horror of them.
We all examined the Seyhole Of the
safe, but there was certainly no evil
dence to show that it had been tamper-
ed with On the contrary, the little oval
brass plate which closed the hole was
rusty, and had not been touched appar'
emily for weeks.
While they were searching in other parts
of the room I directed my attention TO
the position and appearance OF my late
patient He was lying on his right side,
with one arm slightly raised, IN quite a
natural attitude for one sleeping. Ills
features. although the palor Of death was
upon them and they were relaxed, show
ed no signs of suffering. The blow had
been unerring, and hau no doubt pene-
trated to the heart. The crime had been
committed swiftly, and the murder had
escaped unseen and unheard.
The eiderdown quilt, rich one of Gobe-
lin blue satin, had scarcely been disturb
ed. and save for the small spot OF blood
upon the sheet, traces of a terrible crime
were in no way apparent.
While. however, l stood al the bedside,
at the same spot most probably where The
murderer had stood, l suddenly felt some
thing uneven between the sole OF my loot
and the carpet. So intent was | upon
the examination I was making that at
first my attention was not attracted by 1t;
but on stepping on it a second time |
looked down, and saw something white,
which 1 quickly picked up.
The instant l saw a 1 closed my hand
and hid it from view.
Then l glanced furtively around, and
seeing that r1y action mad been 'in-
observed, quickly transferred it to my
vest pocket, covering the movement q;
taking out my watch to glance at il.
confess that my heart beat quickly.
ard in all prnha bilitys the color Of hat.
moment had left my face. for ] had by
shear accident discovered a clue