The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-06-25
The srsat settle
In the room OF death

~
alton by criminals hand. The boa
of delicate black net which encircled
her neck rose fresh and intact to her
chin; nor did the heavy folds Of her
rich broadcloth gown betray that any
disturbance had taken place in her
figure after its fall If jewel had
flashed at her throat, or earrings |
adorned her ears, they had been re-
moved by careful, If not o loving,
hand. But was rather inclined to
think that she had entered upon the
scene of her death without ornaments,
such severe simplicity marked her
whole attire.
Her hat, which was as plain and also
as elegant as the rest Of her clothing,
lay near her on the floor. 1t had been
taken of and thrown down, manifestly
by an impatient hand. That this hand
was her own was evident from small
but very significant fact. The pin
which had held it to her hair had been
thrust again into the hat. No hand
but hers would have taken this precau-
ton. A man would have flung 1t aside
Just as he would have flung the hat.
Question:
| Did this argue natural expectation
on her part of resuming her hat. or
was the action the result of an uncon-
scious habit?
Having thus noted all that was pos
sible concerning her without infringing
on the rights of the coroner, next pro-
ceeded to cast about for clews to the
identity Of the person whom I consid-
cred responsible for the extinguished
candle. But here q great disappoint-
ment awaited me. could find moth
ing expressive of second persons
presence save pile Of cigar ashes
scattered near the legs Of common
kitchen chair which stood face to face
with the bookshelves in that part or
the room where the candelabrum rested
on small table. But these ashes look
cd old. nor could detect any evidence
OF tobacco smoke in the general musIl-
ness pervnding the place. Was TIC
man who died here fortnight since
accountable for these ashes? Ii so
his unfinished cigar must be within
sight. Should search for it? No, fol
this would take me to the hearth ane
that was quite too deadly place Z
be heedlessly approached.
!. Besides, l was not yet finished witt
the spot where l then stood. Ii
, could gather nothing satisfactory iron
the ashes. perhaps could from III
. chair or the shelves before when
had been placed. Some one with an IL
terest in books had sat there; some on
. who expected to spend sufficient UNI
: over these old tones to feel the nee
of a chair. Had this interest been
= general one, or had it centered III pa
ticular volume? ran my eye over ID
shelves within reach, possibly with d
{ idea of settling this question, an
: though nv knowledge of books Is lin
= tied | could see that these were VIM
: one might call raritKs. Some OF thel
i contained specimens OF black letter, a
moldv and smothered in dust; in otnel
/ saw dates Of publication whle
nlaced them among volumes dear 10
Z collectors heart. But none OF thel
u co far as | could see, gave any e'
- dence of having been lately manure
u and anxious to waste no time
=, nuerile details, hastily quilted u
o chair and was proceeding to turn
le attention elsewhere when / norc
3 on an upper shelf a book pro)ecul
&c sllgbtly beyond the others. lnstanl
my foot was on the chair ana tne Do
u In nv hand. Did find II OF interes
Yes. but not on account OF its CO
'e tents for they were pure Greek
ID me Int because II lacked the dust
i sss MINER edge which had marx
Ia every other volume ! had bapoi'
'e' This then. was what had attracted
unknown 10 these shelves, tnis-isl
be zee N can remember its title 'Dlsq
pc sltion Upon old Coast Lines fsDs
RI 4 was wasting ply time What y
80 snch A dry compendium os tpls |"
~ wltb die body lying ~ 10 BLOOD . =
'ul stens behind NE, o. Win tpf ~
10 Which had put ovf the candle vpDy
~ dreadful deed1 Aofplpz = isp'r
I'd the book Duf pof 40 hastily ~ " "
A. h ono inch beyond fhe ppa''lvp
~ vl,lch 1 found ~ Fob " y bea Y
" n tell, fhep was y ny spe'''.
~ loage iAai tale " NJ isap N ,' NJ,
el' wlo updegsieoe book pe''ef VA
" ~ ne.i mege va iQBelq lpe y
W ,.Lt lslalng NJ fanlN|HpNW p
M M aNuNHnH penN.pN f'N 81
~ 4as nna "a h neF| f'HlANF HNr'H'
lf XXX .a0 InleslaNNap p't
..E plli 4 ~ wv VIZ ..... RI .o.I