The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-18
=, -. BOOK I.
The Forbidden Room
CHAPTER v.
Master and Dog.


. No further opportunity was afforded me
that night for studying the three leading
characters in the remarkable drama I saw
unfolding before me. A task was as
signed me by the captain which took me
from the house, and I missed the next
scene-the arrival Of the coroner. But
I repaid myself for this loss in a way,
T thought justified by the importance Of
my own theory and the evident necessity:
there was Of collecting each and every
point Of evidence which could give color
ing to the charge, in the event Of this
crime coming to be looked on at head
quarters as one of murder.
Observing that a light was still burn
ing in Uncle sBavidtS donicile, aLasefossed-
to his door and rang the bell. T was
answered by the deep and prolonged howl
Of dog, soon cut short by his masters,
amiable greeting. This latter was a sur
Iprisessto me. I had heard SO often Of
Mr., Moore's churlishness as a.shostf that
had expected some rebuff. But I en-
countered no such tokens of hostility. His
brow was smooth and his smile cheer
fully condescending. Indeed, he appeared
anxious to have me enter and cast an
indulgent look at Ridge, whose irrepres-
sible joy at this break in the monotony
Of his existence was tinged with very
evident dread Of offending his master.
Interested anew. I followed this man Of
contradictory impulses into the room to-
ward which he led met.
J. The time has now come for q: more
careful description Of this peculiar man.
Mr.. Moore was tall and Of that refined
spareness Of shape which suggests the
scholar. Yet he had not the scholars
eye. On the contrary, his regard was
quick, If not alert, and whileysit did not
convey actual malice or ill-will, it reused
In the spectator an uncomfortable feel
Ing, not altogether easy to analyze. He
Wore his iron gray locks quite long, and
to this distinguishing idiosyncrasy, as well
as to%his invariable custom Of taking his
dog with him wherever he went. was due
the interest always shown in him by
street l1rchins.5 On account of his whini-
sicalittes, he had acquired the epithet of
Uncle David among them, despite his aris-
tocratic connections and his gentlemanlike
bearing. His clothes formed no exception
to the general air Of individuality which
marked him. They We're Of different cut
from those OF other men, and in this as
in many other ways he was a law to him
self; notably SO in the following in
stance: He kept one day Of the year re-
igiously, and kept 1t always In the same
way. Long years before, he had. been
blessed with wife who both understood
and loved him. He had never: forgotten
this fact, and once a, year, presumably on
i
custom to go to the cemetery where she
lay, and to spend the whole day under the
shadow of the stone he had raised to her
memory. No matter what the weather,
no matter what the condition of his own
health, he was always to be seen In this
spot at the hour Of seven, leaning against
the shaft on which his wffe's name was
written, eating his supper in the company
of his dog. It was a custom he had never
omitted. so well known was i it to the
boys and certain other curious indiyid-
uals in the neighborhood that he never
lacked an audience, tho woe betide the
daring foot that presumed to invade the
precincts of the lot called his, orxthe ven
turesome voice which offered to raise it,
self in gibe or jeer He had but to cast
la glance at Rudge and an avenging rush
scattered the crowd in a twinkling. But
he seldom had occasion to resort to this
extreme measure for preserving the peace
and quiet Of his solemn watch. AS rule
Ehe was allowed to eat his meal undis-
turbed, and. to pass out unmolested even
by ridicule, tho his teeth might still be
busy over some final tidbit. Often the
great tears might be seen hanging UNI
dried upon his withered cheeks.
So much for one oddity which may stand
ass sample Of many others: a
One glance at the room into which he
ushered me showed why he cherished SO
marked dislike for visitors. It was
bare to the point Of discomfort, and had
it not. been for a certain quaintness In the
shape Of the few articles to be seen there
should have experienced a. decided feel
ing of repulsion, so pronounced was the
contrast between. this poverty stricken in
terror and the polished bearing Of its
owner. He, am sure, could have shown
no more elevated manners If he had been
doing the honors of palace. The organ,
with the marks Of home construction upon
it, was the only object visible whichfspoke
Of luxury or even comfort.
But enough OF these possibly. uninterest-
ing details. 7 did not dwell on them my
self, except In vague way and while
waiting for him to open the conversation.
This he did as soon as he saw that had
no intention Of speaking first.
And did you find any one in the old
house?' he asked.
Keeping we'll under my eye, replied
with Intentional brusqueness: s