The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-03-08

was a perfectly obvious one, as obvi-
Dus as that the candle had been blown
sut by another breath than hers; yet,
absorbed in my own train of thought
I had completely overlooked it. The
coroner, observing my embarrassment,
smiled, and my humiliation was COM
plete, or would have been had Durbin
been there, but fortunately he was
not.
II am FOOL" cried. II thought l
had discovered something. might
have known that there were keener
minds than mine in this Office
"Easy-easy," was the good natured
interruption. "You have done well. If
did not think so would not keep you
here minute. AS 1t is, am disposed
to let you see that in case like this
one man must not expect to monopolize
all the honors. This matter of the
bow Of ribbon would strike any old and
experienced official. l only wonder
that we have not seen it openly dis
cussed in the papers,"
| Taking box from his desk, he open
ed it and held it out toward me. A coil
of white ribbon surmounted by crisp
and dainty bow met my eyes.
"You recognize it?" he asked.
! Indeed did.
TT was Gu. from her wrist by my
deputy. Miss futile wished him to un-
tie it, but he preferred to leave the
bow intact. Now lift it out. Careful,
man; don't soil it. You will see why in
minute" AS 1 held the ribbon up he
| pointed to some spots on it's fresh
i white surface. do you see those:" he
asked. 'Those are dust marks. and
they were made as truly by some ones
fingers as the impressions you noted
on the mantelshelf in the upper cham
Der. This pistol was tied to her wrist
after the deed; possibly by that same
hand"
1t was my own conclusion, but it did
not sound as welcome to me from his
lips as had expected. Either my ma
ture is narrow or my inordinate jeal
ousy lays me open to the most aston
ishing inconsistencies, for no soone,
had he spoken these words than l eX
perienced a sudden revulsion against
my own theory and the suspicious
which it threw upon the man whom al
hour before / was eager to proclaim 6
criminal.
But Coroner q. gave me no chance
for making such fool Of myself. Res
cuing the ribbon from my hands, which
no doubt were running little too free
~ over its snowy surface, he smiled
with the indulgence proper from sucl
man to a novice like myself and OBJ
served quite frankly:
You will consider these observations
as confidential. You know how to hole
your tongue; that you have proved
Hold it, then, little longer. The cast
is not yet ripe. Mr.. Jeffrey is a mar
Of high standing, with a hitherto un
blemished reputation. 1t won't do, my
boy, to throw the doubt of so hideous
a crime upon so fine gentleman with
out ample reason. That no such mis-
take may be made and that he may
have every opportunity for clearing
himself am going to have confiden
tial talk With him. Do you want to b.
present"
l flushed again, but this time from
extreme satisfaction.
II am obliged for your confidence,
said l. Then. with burst of courag,
born Of his good nature, inquired
with due respee ~ nly little friend hat
answered his expectations. WAS sh,
as clever as said?" asked.
) "Your little friend is trump" wa
his blunt reply. with what we hav,
learned through her, and now through
you. we can approach Mr.. jeffrey t
some purpose. 1t appears that befor,
j. The ribbon In the box