Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-31

as U0IICdI0 aS I0G pSTalS or a TOSGs All interesting if not absolutely beautiful face, it told me something I could hardly put into words; so that it was like leaving fascinating but unsolved mystery when I finally turned from 1t to study the hands, each of which pre- sented separate problem. That of fered by the right wrist you already know-the long white ribbon connect ing it with the discharged pistol
 But the secret concealed by the left, while less startling, was perhaps fully as significant. All the rings were gone, even the wedding ring which had been placed there such short time before. Had she been robbed? There were no signs of violence visible nor even such disturbances as usually follow despoli- at1on 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 it's fall. If a jewel had flashed at her throat, or earrings adorned her ears, they had been re- moved by careful, if not 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. It had been taken off 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 lit to her hair had been thrust again into the hat No hand but hers would have taken this precau- tion. A men would have flung it aside just as he would have flung the hat Question:
 l Did this argue natural expectation bn 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 consid- cred responsible for the extinguished candle. But here great disappoint- ment awaited me. I could find noth- 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 of the room where the candelabrum rested on a small table. But these ashes look ed old, nor could detect any evidence of tobacco smoke in the general musti- ness pervading the, place. Was the man who died here a fortnight since accountable for these ashes? If so, his unflnisheds cigar must be within sight Should search for it? No, for this would take me to the hearth and that was quite too deadly place to be heedlessly approached.
 Besides, was not yet finished with the spot where I then stood. If l could gather nothing satisfactory from the ashes, perhaps I could from the chair or the shelves before which it had been placed. Some one with an in terest in books had sat there; some one who expected to spend sufficient time over these old tones to feel the need l of chair. Had this interest been q general one, or had it centered in par 1 ticular volume? I ran my eye over the shelves within reach, possibly with an 1 idea of settling this question, and though my knowledge of books is linn ited could see that these were what one might call rarities. Some of them contained specimens of black letter, all moldy and smothered in dust; in others I saw dates of publication which ! placed them among volumes dear to q collectors heart. But none of them, so far as could see, gave any evi- dence of having been lately handled; and, anxious to waste no time on puerile details, hastily quilted my chair and was proceeding to turn my attention elsewhere when I noticed on an upper shelf book projecting slightly beyond the others Instantly l my foot was on the chair and the book l in my hand. Did find it of interest," Yes, but not on account of it's con- tents, for they were pure Greek to l me, but because it lacked the dust on its upper edge which had marked every other volume I had handled. This, then, was what had attracted the
 
 unknown to these shelves, this-let me see if can remember its title-"Disqui- sition Upon Old Coast Lines." Pshaw! was wasting my time. What had i such a dry compendium as this to do with the body lying in it's blood a few steps behind me, or with the hand l which had put out the candle upon this 1 dreadful deed? Nothing. replaced ] the book, but not so hastily as to push i it one inch beyond the position i'll which I found it. Tor, if it had a tale to tell, then was it my business to l leave that tale to be read by those who understood books better than | did.
 My next move was toward the little l table holding the candelabrum with ! the glittering pendants. This table 1 was one of a nest standing against a nearby wall. Investigation proved | that it had been lifted from the others and brought to it's present position within very short spaceuof time, for | ha 1uc+ Iviro fbioIy ay1 tc fon (.