Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-11-11
CHAPTER IL

- "oS bSsoAu dtupl a library, Tor the
backs OF books showed behind the
sheets that covered certain articles OF
large bulk. The adjoining room was
in all probability the sleeping cham
Der OF the master OF the house. A
casual inspection satisfied the officer
that the bed had not been occupied
since IL was last made up.
But there was something more i'm
portant still in the sergeant's estima-
ton to be ascertained. and on that ne
had ample time TO reach a settled con-
viction- II was evident at first sight
that the man on the floor had come
20 his death by reason OF a bullet
wound. n his own hand had been
responsible for the deed. the suicidal
weapon must be somewhere about
And as a careful search failed to re-
veal any trace OF such a weapon. the
sergeant had made up his mind long
previous 20 the arrival OF the investi-
eating party that the case was q very
serious one and Involved at the outset
a deep mystery.
The scene soon changed. The room
gradually filled with alert and digni-
fed men. whose profession made their
attendance at such times a matter OF
too frequent occurrence to permit Of
their exhibiting any other sentiment in
the presence OF tra grim witness OF
violent death than a Keen and specula-
tive business interest. In the vestfbuls
below two officer were stationed 20
challenge everybody who attempted to
enter the house. Already I'm front of
the building. so quickly and nysteri.
ously does evil news disseminate itself
was Gathered thronc which stared
with fascinated horror az the uppe~
windows and at every fresh ingoer and
outcomer
Sergt. Parr had long since recog-
nized Inspector Applebee. and had
whispered i'm his car that IL was going
20 be a big case"
So? said the Inspector. lifting his
eyebrows and halt smiling. A moment
later he was grave and apparently IN
, concerned.
DIR. Jarrett. the medical examiner
for the district ir which the body was
found. came TO the scene in a carriare
1 Till he arrived nothing was done. The
state imposes uron the Judgment and
good sense of these officials grave re-.
sponsibilities. Iu three minutes after
4 his horse stopped in front OF the house
Dr. Jarrett was at work examining
questioning. weighing the evidences in
his own mind
The casual observer would have
+ looked In vain among these quiet Of
fcials for the Inevitable reporter Evi-
IDENTIFY the newspaper man was barred
out, Not at all The public who look
for a notebook and expect 10 find fin
such circumstances a meddlosoue
young man writing with ghoul-like ac-
tivity, would never have suspected the
short thick-sot black haired. gentle
/ manly young man who talked with
each person pg'sent in an easy way.
wh.ch showed that he was personally
/ acquainted with everyone Instead Of
/ flourishing a notebook-the insignia OF
the property reporter OF the theater.
and OF the beginners In the profession
this man had no better use for his
/ hands than mechanical foudling Of
/ the pendant 90 his watch chain-a
, trick which In some mysterious man
/ ner seemed Go help him 20 think. Al
though he was young. his experience
4 In criminal affairs. combined with his
Z natural ability. had made his sagacity
equal 20 that - anybody present. while
his trustwOrthiness and reliability en-
eblod him Co be oftentimes in impor-
tant cases a conhdant OF the authori-
/ ties. This was Kingman +. Thomas.
OF the Globe.
( The medical examiner arose from a
I brief inspection OF the body which
was already Identified as that Of Paul
I North, the State street fnancier.
Everybody looked at him curiously.
but his imperturbable face told no
tales.
Nothing has been disturbed" he
, asked OF the sergeant.
! I'VE know our business. sir Every
thing is exactly as we found H."
| All" Ne more and no less. came
in matter-of fact tone from the med
, zeal examiners lips.
We'll. doctor" said Mr.. Thomas.
how is it?"
Il shall perform an autopsy"
| This was said quietly. The medical
examiner refrained from advancing his
opinion at this stage but Thomas IN
! derstood tina, The determination 10 per-
form an autopsy indicated serious sus-
picion on the physicians part
There was a tremulous touch on his
shoulder, an nc turned TO meet the
eyes OF a man whom he did not know.
| "What-what is that writing on the
wall down there by the door?" asked a
| shaking voice
This is a friend OF the family, doc
tor interposad Inspector Applebee,
| by way Of accounting for this unfa-
miliar presence there. He was Mr..
| North's partner. Naturally he is very
much overcome"
In tones that were a tri1e steadier
| Mr.. Stackhouse repeated his question.
Bending dow to seek an answer him
self, he started back, and would have
fallen but for the Opportune aid of the
k newspaper man.
"A horrible sight! cannot look
at it." he muttered, putting his hand
over his eyes Tell me what you
Il 10