Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-20
CHAPTER VII.
A Tightening Coil.


The horizon was gray with the coming
dawn. but 1t was still too dark on the pier
to see anything distinctly. so they went
WAS tie necklace a valuable one?' asked
the coroner. as he closed the door.
TT was worth over hundred thousand
dollars answered Delroy. and explained
briefly the purpose Of the immersion
How many persons were aware of your
intention to put 1t in tie water out here?'
asked Hefrelbower. when he had finished.
Delroy hesitated
so far as / know" he answered slowly
at last, only myself. my wife, her sister.
Miss Croydon. Drysdale. Tremaine and the
two Grahams.'
'Tremaine?' repeated the coroner. II
don't tink you have mentioned him."
oh, l forgot to Introduce you. This 10
Mr. Tremaine. Mr.. Hefrelbower. friend Of
mine who Is staying with me- -
The coroner bowed, but he shot Tremaine
sharp glance. which did not escape Del
roy's notice.
You will understand. Mr. HefYeIbower."
committed by someone else-Tm sure none
or these could have committed It," oar 4-
All said the coroner blandly. ten t'ey
were all In tie house, / supposef" ,7a
Il can answer positively that my wife,
Miss Croydon. and Mr.. Tremaine were in
the house the entire evening"
And Mr.. Drysdale?' t~o
Drysdale went out for walk"
A long one?" t"
He was gone two or three hours"
ISIS he In tie habit Of walking after
night?'
No" answered Delroy slowly. II can't
say that he is
did you see him when he came IMP
"Yes-1 was looking out the window at
the Storm
Did he appear as usual?" .u
Again Delroy hesitated.
L see. of course" he said at last what
you're aiming at; but I'm sure that Drys-
dale can explain his absence, as we'll as
everything that happened during It, there
fore answer candidly that he did not ap-
pear as usual: he seemed excited and de-
pressed. He left me in fit Of anger and
went to his ROOM . ,
without explaining his action?''
''Yes-he made no effort to explain It." cd.
Did any explanation occur to your
Il thought perhaps he was worrying over
losses incurred in speculation"
"Ah!-he has incurred such losses, t'en7'.
Il do not know positively" said Delroy.
a little impatiently. Il merely suspect So.
"Iss Mr.. Drysdale still in his ROOM
Yes. / suppose so. 1 haven't seen him
since he went up to 1t. p"
Mr.. Tremaine was wit you at tie time
Mr.. Graham burst in and announced tie.
MURDER"
Yes we were in the hall talking to-
gether."
What time was it?'' lr. --
Nearly / o'clock, l should say"
Tank you." and Heffeibower turned
back to make more detailed examination
of the body. Doctor WISE" he asked,
after moment from which direction
should you say tese blows were struck"
From directly In 'front.'" answered the
doctor promptly.
but I see he has a pistol at his belt
Why did he not defend himself? Why
should he allow himself to be beaten
DOWN."
served Delroy mfr Tremaine suggested
that It was because Graham thought his
murderer a friend and anticipated no as
sault. So he allowed him to approach I'M
challenged, and was wholly unprepared for
the treacherous attack
The coroner looked at Tremaine again
with a glance in which suspicion had
changed to admiration.
Tat iss. indeed, a very probable ex-
least doubt 1t ISIS tie true one. Graham
would not have allowed a stranger to
approach him; but If he had come on.
Graham would have prepared for
tie attack and would have given
good account of himself He seems a ferry
powerful man"
AS he spoke he lifted one of the muscular
hands; then, with a little exclamation of
surprise, he bent and examined 1t more
closely.
Come nearer. gentlemen" he said. his
face flushed with excitement. Il want you
to witness tat he has something between
his fingers.
They stopped and looked as he indicated.
They could see that the hand clasped tight
ly some small dark object
LET us see what it is" Heffelbower con-