Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-09-06

tective, hanpered as he was and Field
in thrall by fear of ridicule and a
total lack of record, to get the chance
to push an inquiry requiring opportuni-
ties which could only come by special
favor7 This was what I continually
asked myself, and always without re-
suit.
True. I might approach the captain
or the major with my story Of the
telltale marks I 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
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 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 few hours before l had made
myself so thoroughly at home would
require certain amount Of pluck, for
Durbin had been installed there, and
Durbtn was watchdog whose bite
as well as his bark regarded with
considerable respect. Yet into that
house must sooner or later go, If only
to determine whether or not l had
been alone in my recognition of GER
tain clews pointing plainly toward
murder. Should trust my lucky star
and remain for the nonce quiescent?
This seemed wise suggestion, and I
decided to adopt 1t, comforting myself
with the thought that If after day
or two Of modest waiting l failed in
obtaining what wished 1 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 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
rtous crime than suicide, these mostly
related to the idiosyncrasies Of the
Moore family and the solitary position
into which Miss Tuttle 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-
cial circle, her present homeless, if not
penniless, position led to many sur
misses. Would she marry, and, if 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
I secretly fattered myself that was
right in concluding that she would say
yes to no mans entreaty till certain
newly made widower's year Of mourn
ing had expired.
But this opinion received something
Of check when in quiet talk with a
reporter learned that it was openly
stated by those who had courage to
speak that the tie which had certainly
SAASsSN ~ WIG SAAAV OSlWSCA NA1s JS1-
frey and the handsome Miss futile had
been entirely Of her own weaving, and
that the person Of Veronica Moore,
rather than the large income she COM
manded, had been the attractive pow
er which had led him away from the
olGer sister. This seemed improbable,
for the charms Of the poor little bride
were not to be compared with those of
her maturer sister. Yet, as we all
know, there are other attra ctions than
those offered by beauty. I have since
heard 1t broadly stated that the Pc
culiar witch Of the lip observable in
all 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
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