Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-21
CHAPTER VIII.

without speaking, but his face hardened
and grew stern, so far as lay in the power
of a countenance rubicund.
Il t'ink l shall have to see Mr.. Drysdale
before I go back to Babylon" he said
But first, let try to account for tie
presence Of It's pistol in tat boat"
How can 1t be accounted for?" de-
manded Delroy, impatiently. Good God!
tell You Jack Drysdale never killed that
man. Perhaps he was boating yesterday
no, he was in New York yesterday
well. Sunday, then. and had the pistol with
him and left 1T in the boat by mistake
How else could 1t have got there? The
murderer wouldn't have put 1t there"
"Nobody's used tn boat, SIR said Will
liam.
How do you know tat?" asked the coro-
ner, sharply.
Because. sir. tied 1t t. the buoy, an I
Know my knot. les tn same one 1 jest
unfastened."
from the buoy since you tied it there?'
asked Delroy
Jest that, sir"
Then how did the revolver get in it?'
Delroy and Heffelbower looked at each
other helplessly. Tremaine was rolling
another cigarette. and the coroner, glanc-
ing at him, noted the meaning smile which
passed across his lips.
Have you teory, Mr.. Tremaine?" he
questioned respectfully. Il should be fiery
glad to hear it. if you have
Why, yes, answered Tremaine, slowly,
"a possible explanation occurs to me. How
ever. it's only a theory, and SO may be
worth nothing, but it seems to me that
after committing a crime like that the
murderer would seek instantly to dispose
of the weapon with which it was commit
ted. What better hiding place could he
ask than the waters of the bay? He would
hurl the pistol far out-only, by a strange
it fell into the boat. OF course" he added.
In another tone, Il fully agree with Mr..
Delroy that Mr.. Drysdale could not have
committed the crime. The pistol no doubt
passed from his possession some time ago.
He can explain that
Heffelbower nodded with open admira-
ton.
yes" he said: I'll ask him about it.
I'm sure your t'eory ISIS tie correct one,
Mr. Tremaine. l present you my compli-
ments. You yourself did not leave tie
house yesterday EVENING""
Mr.. Delroy can tell you"
NO" answered Delroy, Mr. Tremaine
did not leave the house yesterday even
ing
Nobody went out except Mr.. Drysdale,"
spoke up Thomas. Il was in tn vestibule
till nearly midnight, when Mr.. Delroy told
me t go to bed"
You saw Mr.. Drysdale come in?"
Yes sir; an 1 never saw anybody so
worked up an nervous-like."
DO you remember what outer garment he
wore?'
He wore his raincoat. sir; helped him
on an OH Win II.
Where are tie raincoats kept?"
They usually hang on the rack In tn
vestibule, sir. That's Mr.. Drysdale's coat
that Mr.. Delroy has on now"
Yes said Delroy, looking down at it;
Il didn't notice; l snatched it down in such
a hurry"
He stopped, staring down at the coat, his
face suddenly livid.
The others followed his glance.
The top button of the coat was missing.
1t had evidently been wrenched away with
violence for the cloth was badly torn.
Amid a silence strained, absolute, the
coroner took from his pocketbook the but
ton he had found in Graham's hand.
Il believe Mr.. Drysdale will find it diff
cult to explain this. gentlemen" he said,
his face glowing more and more. and he
held against the place the button he had
found
1t fitted It exactly; the button matched
the others on the coat; the shred of cloth
was of the same color and material as the
remainder of the garment. 1t was a proof
there could be no dsputing.
Heffelbower slowly replaced the button
in his pocketbook.
May I trouble you to take off tie coat
Mr.. Delroy?" he said; and when Delroy
complied he threw it over his arm. "T'ere's
just one more question" he added. L sup
pose Mr.. Drysdale's financial condition ISIS
good?'
Why, yes" answered Delroy. II have
always so considered It."
There was a hesitation in his manner
which Heffelbower noticed
You mean you do not consider 1t at It's
moment? Don't try to shield him, Mr.. Del
roy. If he ISIS innocent he will have no
difficulty in proving It; if he ISIS guilty, he
should be punished.
well, then" said Delroy, with a kind
Of desperate calm. I've already told you
that heard he'd been specializing in steel.
There was a crash Saturday. you know;
but for how much he was caught, or
whether he was caught at all, 1 don't
know. You'll have to ask him about that"
IT ank you for your frankness," said the
coroner. "Frankness never yet hurt an
innocent man. l think tat ISIS all we can
do here. Let us go to tie house and have
a talk with Mr.. Drysdale."
They followed him in silence from the
boathouse and up the broad gravel path.
Thomas opened the door for them.
~"Shall 1 have Drysdale called DOWN."
asked Delroy, as they stepped inside.
mo" said the coroner. I'D prefer to
see him in his ROOM
Very we'll" the other acquiesced. and
led the way through the still deserted hall
and up the stair.
At the top Tremalne turned to the coro-
ner.
IF you don't mind" he said. "I'H
go on to my room. I'm feeling pretty well
used up. My room is right here next to
Mr.. Drysdales. If you want me, you can
call me-"
Certainly, SIR" agreed Heffelbower in
stantly. And let me tank you again for
your fiery faluable suggestions
"Oh, not at ALL" returned Tremaine, and
entered his
The others went on to the next door. Del
roy knocked
who's there?" queried Drysdale's voice.
open up. Jack" called Delroy. We've
got to see you some rather important
business"
Important busness!' Drysdale repeated.
and they heard him cross the room. Then
the door was flung open. Come in-why.
what the deuce Is all this about, Dicke p
Come in and shut the door. Jack re-
piled Delroy quietly. This gentleman is
Coroner Heffelbower of Babylon. He wishes
to ask you few questions"
Drysdae answered with a stare of anna ze-
ment, but he stood aside and let them pass
into the room.
why, what's all this, Jack?" asked Del
roy, looking about at the disorder.
Drysdale closed the door and turned to-
ward him rather sheepishly.
Fact is l was packing, Dickie,' he said
I've got to go back to New York today
to look after some investments. I'd like
to stay, old man, but l really can't"
Something in the faces of his auditors
stopped him, and he changed color.
What do you fellows want, anyway"
he demanded hotly
"Sit down. Mr.. Drysdale' said the coro-
Iii