The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-08-17
CHAPTER I.

heart, and the place appointed for their
tryst was the red-painted letter box at
the edge of the common. The time of
the year was early October. 1t was 8
O'Clock In the evening. A thick curtain
of mist lay on the common, and a full
moon was lifting, very large and red,
over the edge of the distant trees. Ev-
erything was so quiet just there that
the clatter of a suburban car two hun
dred yards away was clearly audible.
II you looked to the south you might
fancy yourself right in the heart of the
country. IF you looked north, you saw
long, respectable suburban street, in
hshited by kouseholders. but just then
as quiet as the grave. except for the
stunning of solitary piano. East and
west the prospect, so far as it could be
discerned through the evening darkness
and mist, was tumble of finished and
unfinished buildings. In some the house
hold lights burned comfortably, and 9th
ers were as yet unroofed and unglazed,
and open to all the airs of heaven.
The young man who awaited his
sweetheart had been at the place ap-
pointed for a matter of some ten min
utes, when he heard the sound of a
faint, hoarse cough. followed by some
thing like groan. He was momentar-
lily startled. but. hearing nothing further
after a minutes intent listening, he fell
back into the train of thought from
which he had been aroused, and absently
set an ungloved hand upon the top of the
letter box. He found it all wet and
sticky. and his first idea was that the
post had been newly painted, but, NOV
ing toward a lamp which was close by,
he discovered, with a shock of horror
and surprise. that his fingers were stain
ed with blood.
He seemed just at that instant to feel
rather than to hear that something stir
red within yard or two of him in the
shallow, turf-lined ditch which at that
point separated the common from the
road. His blood crisped, and g curious
sensation stirred at the roots of his hair.
He was not at all coward, but he was
accustomed to a quiet humdrum in his
life, and the sudden conviction that some
horrible thing had happened set his heart
fiuttering and started a strong pu,sation
in his temples. Then he heard a meas
ured footstep slowly tramping the con-
q.
and there within thirty yards of him was
the lantern of Waterman. He made
dash for the man with cry of "Ofi-
cer: and an instant later he was be-
fore the policeman, holding his stained
hand in the rays of the lantern.
Look here" he said, that's blood.
There's lot of it on the top of The
letter box just there. touched it by
chance, and just as 1 found out what it
was / heard somebody groan. There's
been an accident, or an assault, or some
thing. Come and look
The officer raised his buu's-eye to the
young mans face, took good look at
him, and without a word moved in the
direction indicated. He turned his light
upon the letter box There was a con-
siderable quantity of Electromagnetic
blood upon it, and some had trickled to
the gravel at its foot.
"Hush.' said the young man. That's
the sound l heard before"
The officer, still without a word. walk
ed STOPPING by the side of the shallow
ditch, waving his lantern and peering
here and there. A dozen PAGES beyond
the lamp post he paused.
This" he said, looks like bad Job.
Lend a hand here. will you?"
He hitched the bulps-eye to his belt.
and stopped to PROSTATE figure in the
hollow. 1t lay in helpless posture, the
head higher than the feet, one heel just
resting on the lower rail of dilapidated
fragment of an old fence The young
man lent his aid. and between them they
lifted the figure By the shoulders and
placed it in a natural position. The coat
was wet and sticky, and the hands which
had touched it showed too clearly what
made it so.
This mans been set upon" said the
officer. And" he added, kneeling to in
spect the victims head aud face more
closely, hes got pretty doing" He
sounded long and piercing call upon
his whistle. There's doctor fifty yards
that way" he said. pointing.
The young man went off at run, an j
the policeman awaited his return, sound
ing his call from time to time. Nobody
seemed to notice for while, but in the
space of few minutes the messenger
was back again, stout and middle-aged
medico putting in his train. He and
the policeman knew each other.
I'm afraid this is q bad Job, Mr..
Lawrence" said the officer.
I'm afraid it's as bad as 1t can be-
the doctor answered, after long exam
nation, aided by the bulrs-eye lantern.
Yes, there's not a doubt about it: the
poor fellows done for. You'd better get
a stretcher and have the body conveyed
to the morgue."
Two policemen FASTENED up from diff.
ferent points. One was dispatched at
once. The four men fingered, talking in
low tones. The young man showed the
doctor how he had discovered the first
sign of the crime. The policemen search.
ed the gravel pathway for signs of foot.
steps, but found nothing. A quarter OF
an hour went by, and then the stretcher
came. The body was set upon il. decent.
~ covered, and wheeled away. the doctor
and the young man accompanying. In
the suburban main street the corte1e
picked up small following, but this was
shut cut at the doors of the morgue
where an inspector was already in wait
ing with a subordinate.
This was the gentleman as summon.
ed me to the spot, sir"
''Ah." said the inspector, you'd bet.
ter tell me what you know about it
What is your name and address
please?"
MY name," the young man answered
sis Harvey Martin Jethroe, and I live
at 1O4 Acacia avenue"
Occupation, if you pleaseT
ST an a bank manager. 1 have charge
of tie Elmwood branch of Messrs. Per