Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-20

+, tinued. and bent back the stiffening fingers
The object fell out into his hand. He
| held 1t up in the glare of the light so that
| all might see. 1t was a button with little
! shred of cloth attached.
IF we can find tie garment tat It's came
FROM" said the coroner, triumphantly.
turning 1t over and looking at 1t. I'VE shall
probably find tie murderer 1t ISIS a good
clew."
| He placed the button carefully In his
pocketbook and turned to the window.
Il ttnk 1t ISIS light enough" he said. ITO
| take a hook at tie scene of tie crime. shall
ten return to Babylon"
II have thought" remarked Delroy. "of
calling in New York detective. Should
Not in tie least" Hefrelbower broke In.
Il shall welcome eferyting tat will assist
in bringing tie guilty person to Justice.
Only, he added pompously. wit tie clews
which expect to find. believe 1t will be
unnecessary. TIE guilty man will not es-
cape. I'll promise you tat. Mr.. Delroy,"
and he opened the door and stepped out
upon the pier.
Dawn was in the sky. clear. warm JOY
GUS dawn. In tree and bush and hedge the
birds were welcoming it. All nature was
rejoicing, quite Indifferent to the human
tragedy which had marked the night
They went together down the pier to the
spot where Graham had fallen. The rain
had washed away nearly all the blood
stains. HIS rife lay on the pier beside the
chair in which he had been sitting. The
chair was overturned
But tie wind may have done tat" said
the coroner. when Delroy pointed out that
the overturned chair suggested struggle
COR maybe he knocked 1t over when he fell
Let's have a look at tat little cage"
He pulled up the rope. The lid of the
cage was open, but 1T did not seem to be
injured.
Maybe tie waves proke 1t open" suggest
ed Heffelbower.
"They couldn't have done that" objected
Delroy. '.See-hare's how 1t fastened
He closed the liS and snapped into place
three small but very strong hooks, which
locked automatically.
THE only thing that Mould open it.".he
added. was human ham,"
AN intelligent one. at tat concluded
the coroner. 1T would be very hard to
find t'ose little hooks in tie dark. unless
one knowed just where t'ey were"
"Yes.'' admitted Delroy. That's true"
Heffelbower opened his lips to say some
thing more: then changed him mind closed
them, and turned away with significant
smile. He examined the knots in the rope,
the pier, the waters Of the bay, on which.
just Beyond the pier, a small boat was rid
ing at anchor.
''T"e boat ISIS yours, I suppose. Mr. Del
"YeS-it has been there ready for use
since Saturday.
AS he spoke. gust Of wind swung the
aboat In toward them.
Young Graham, who was standing on
into 1t. and uttered a sudden exclamation.
- Whats thatT' he cried. with arm out
stretched.
The others followed the gesture. but a
second gust swung the boat away.
What was itf" asked the coroner.
Without answering, Graham sprang into
the water. and with few strokes reached
/ the boat. He climbed into 1t and united
II from the buoy. Then. at the instant
another gust Of wind came from the ocean,
he released his hold. The boat was swept
against the pier; he Tended her off with
the boa thook and made fast.
This is what / meant he said, and
pointed to pistol lying at his feet.
They stared down at 1T. amazed. 1t was
the coroner who spoke first
Pass 1t up" he said.
He turned 1t over carefully in his mind.
Il was a fine type of the Smith & Wesson.
1t was fully loaded: none of the chambers
had been discharged.
All" he said. 'see t'ere," and he pointed
to a clot of blood on the butt tie butt
| ISIS very heavy" he added. turning 1t up.
And see-here are some initials-J 7. d.
Whose are tey?"
They are John Tolbert Drysdale's," an
swered Deiroy in a low voice.
Go be continued tomorrow