Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-08-12
And below, separated by the narrow.

motive power in precipitating trag-
edy the result Of which had been to
enrich him and impoverish them? Ger
tainly a most serious and important
question and one which any man might
be pardoned for attempting to answer,
especially if that man was young de-
tective lamenting his obScurity and
dreaming of recognition which would
yield him fame and the wherewithal
b mary a certain clever but mis-
chfevous little mink of whom you are
destined to hear more.
But how was that same young de-
tective, hampered as he was and held
in thrall by fear Of ridicule and
total lack of record, to get the chance
to push an inquiry requiring Opportuni-
ties which could only come by special
favor? This was what l continually
asked myself. and always without re-
suit
True. l might approach the captain
or the major with my story Of the
telltale marks l had discovered in the
dust covering the southwest chamber
mantelShelf, and, If fortunate enough
to find that these had been passed over
by the other detectives, seek to gain
a hearing thereby and secure for my
self the privileges / so earnestly de-
sired. But my egOtism was such that
I wished to be sure of the hand which
had made these marks before l parted
with q secret which, once told, would
make or mar me. Yet to obtain the
slight concession Of an interview with
any of the principals connected with
this crime would be difficult without
the aid Of one or both Of my superiors.
Even to enter the house again where
but n few hours before I had made
myself so thoroughly at home would
require certain amount Of pluck, for
Durbin had been installed there, and
DurbiL was a watchdog whose bite
rs well as his bark I regarded with
considerable respect. Yet into that
house l must sooner or later go, If only
to determine whether or not I had
! been alone In my recognition Of GER
tain clews pointing plainly toward
murder. Should l trust my lucky star
and remain for the nonce quiescent?
This seemed wise suggestion, and
decided to adopt 1t, comforting myself
with the thought that IL after a day
or two Of modest waiting l failed in
obtaining what l wished I could then
appeal to the lieutenant Of my own
precinct. He, had sometimes felt as
sured, did not regard me with an al
together unfavorable eye.
Meantime l spent all my available
time in lettering around newspaper Of
fees and picking up such stray bits Of
gossip as were offered. AS no question
had yet been raised OF any more Sc
rious crime than suicide, these mostly
related to the idiOsykcrasies Of the
Moore family and the solitary position
into which Miss futile had been
plunged by this sudden death OF her
only relative. AS this beautiful and
distinguished young woman had been
and still was great belle In her spe-
penniless. position led to many sur
misses. Would she marry. and. II SO.
to which Of the many wealthy or
prominent men who had openly court
ed her would she accord her hand? In
the present egOtistic state Of my mind
l. secretly flattered myself that I was
right in concluding that she would say
yes'tO no mans entreaty till certain
newly made widOwer's year Of mourn
ingshad expired.
EsBut this opinion received something
OF check when in quiet talk with q
reporter l learned that 1t was openly
stated by those who had courage to
speak that the tie which had certainly
existed at one time between Mr.. JEFF
frey and the handsome Miss Tuttle had
been entirely Of her own weaving, and
that the person Of Veronica Moore,
rather than the large income she COM
mpnded. had been the attractive pow
er4which had led hun away from the
older sister. This seemed improbable,
fortthe charms Of the poor little bride
were not to be compared4with those Of
her maturer sister. Yet. as we all
know, there are other attractions than
those offered by beauty. l have since
beard it broadly stated that the Pc
c1liar twitch Of the lip observable in
alls the MOores had proved an irresist-
ible charm In the unfortunate Veronica,
making her a radiant image when she
laughed. This was by no means rare
II Off to AIsxandsia