Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-24
CHAPTER xvI.-(continued).


criminal theorists. But you and
know that the majority of murders are
done without adequate motives. Few
men in these days plot to kill. They
Kill when they are insane with rum or
jealousy, or to defend themselves"
"You emphasize that, see!"
Because l have thought it right
Along" said the reporter. 1.-THE fact
that the bullet must have been fired
from point lower down than an erect
man naturally carries his hand leads
me to believe that the murderer OF
Paul North was on his knees; and 1t
is logical to presume from that that
he had been knocked down"
"Clever!' said John Lamm, with
genuine admiration. Clever, and just
like you, Thomas. Of course we can
think of hundreds of reasons why
North might have knocked down his
partner, whose advice had ruined him
for North was steady enough before
he came under Stackhouse's influence
or why he should have knocked
down an importunate gentleman who
might have been trying to deceive his
daughter
Precisely" agreed Thomas.
"And then," said Lamm, slowly,
you throw the idea of most DELHI
crate and cunningly-laid conspiracy Of
murder for security and revenge out
of the question"
Conspiracy" echoed Thomas.
Conspiracy" said John Lamm.
Thomas looked like doubtful man
who would be very glad to become
convinced.
YES" said John Lamm, in tone
of deep conviction. II am willing to
stake my professional reputation at
this stage of the case on the prediction
that this murder of North is con-
spiracy-either for running Stackhouse
or for revenge upon Paul North"
"And--the girl is in it?" murmured
Thomas, apprehensiVely.
Certainly, the girl is in it. To be
sure the girl is in it. You can't alter
that fact to save your life. For good,
bad or Indifferent representation
Stackhouse planned the game. Whose
hand carried it out won't say at this
time; but | am convinced of one thing
lit originated in her mind
why, John Lamm? Why?" de-.
manded Thomas, aghast.
Because always look to the char.
acter of the person to correspond to
the nature of the crime. There is no.
body else in this little coterie capable
OF originating crime, so cunningly
conceived, so admirably executed"
What do you mean?"
What do / mean?" asked the de.
tective. Good heavens, Thomas,
where are your eyes? Can't you see
that in every step we have taken we
have been baffled, 1Aisled made fools
Of? Do you imagine Paul North would
have gone to his town house, shut up
as 1t was for the summer, unless he
had been enticed there? The writing
of Stackhouses name on the wall
proves conclusively to my mind that
Stackhouse did not do it. Why, how
absurd it is! The medical examiner
gives $50 seconds as limit to North's
life after he was shot. Do you sup
pose if Stackhouse had shot him he
would have run away before assuring
himself that he was dead? Would he
have let North write his name on the
wall? II North had done it, wouldn't
he have smeared it out again? Why,
OF course he would. And in this name
upon the wall is the animus of the
whole matter. There we see the fangs
and the teeth of the serpent. The
bitter, deadly enmity that underlies
the whole scheme. That the entire OBJ.
7ect was revenge upon Stackhouse |
do not believe. 1t is too roundabout
and too dangerous method of re-
venge; but that the perpetrators of the
deed hated that man-why, the fact is
as clear as sunlight. Now, who hates
Stackhouse? Who on the day of the
discovery Of the crime drove him from
her side, from the house, knowing full
well, nay, triumphantly welcoming the
fact in SO many words-that such an
act would only deepen the suspicion
about him? Who, with Paul North
alive, was not free to meet the man
she really loved; and who, Paul North
dead, and Stackhouse out of the way,
might reunite herself with her guilty
lover? Who, for no cause but one that
under such circumstances we can un-
derstand, flies into a passion of anger
at the remonstrance of an innocent
girl, and is so excited by the impend.
Ing crime that she cannot keep herself
away from the scene?"
Stop! Don't go ont"
TAomas had risen and was HOLDING
up his hand. There was something
horrible even to this veteran in the
merciless arraignment of the sister OF
the woman he had protected. It nigh,
be true. John Lamm was the shrewd
est of shrewd men; but he would mo-
believe it until he had all the proof.
before him.
II tell you, Lamm," he declared, q,
will not believe that woman planned
that murder as long as there is