Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-17
CHAPTER xII.-(Continued).

The chief undid the wrapping and
ook out an old-fashioned 80 calibsr
our-barreled, breech-loading pistol
bout eight inches in length, and
stained with rust IN several places.
Everybody started and looked eager
" from the weapon to the serious face
IF the man who had brought it.
at is just as l found it" he said
quietly, with the exception of the
rust. took it out Of the water, and
lidn't care to wipe it much, for fear
Of destroying the smut on that empty
Darrell
WELL" said the chief, with an as
sumption of Indifference, why do you
bring it here?"
81 considered it my duty to do so,
lir."
ITO be sure; but what makes you
Think so? In other words, where did
you find it?"
II found it in the water on the shore
ut Swampscott."
"Swampscott!" calculated Applebee,
Nho began to examine the weapon
with avidity. 1.-THE deuce you did!
When?"
Sunday night, about nine o'clock
Sunday" echoed the chief inspect
or, sharply, land it is now Tuesday
morning. You were evidently in no
haste.''
ST went out of town by very early
train on Monday This is the first OPP
portunity l have had, gentlemen"
How came you to be wading in the
water at Swampscott after dark, Thorn
as?" questioned Applebee.
''Well, sir, it won't take me long to
tell you what little l know about the
matter. l stipulate but one thing
This must not be given to the press
You agree? Very we'll. was passing
the North villa when saw woman
enveloped in long cloak stealing out
of the garden. I followed her, deemine
her appearance suspicious. She went
toward the shore, and thought saw
her throw something into the water
Waiting till she had gone, waded
out and found this. I ran up the
street, hoping to catch her, but missed
the last train in. She seems to have
been in better luck"
The three inspectors exchanged sig.
eifieant glances.
And didn't you see der face, Thorn
ss?'sssApplebee eagerly inquired.
Il did not; no."
Thomas hesitated a moment befor,
replying.
81 don't know that care to state
theories. You have enough of your
own"
We'll, Mr. Thomas" said the chief
at last. II think you are entitled to oul
most sincere thanks for important evi
dence in the North case. Still, in mat
tiers of this kind delays are dangerous
It does seem as if you might hav,
found some way to get this to us be
fore this"
II preferred to deliver it in person,
said Thomas, quietly. II never TAX,
any chances in matter of this impor
lance"
you prefer to be slow but sure,
suppose" said the chief, smiling
well, Applebee, here it is. 1t won
take you long to verify your suspicion
about it."
Il rather suspect that Thomas ha
already done that" Applebee said.
II took that liberty, yes" agreed tn,
reporter.
ITO whom did you take it?"
ITO Comfort HARDWOOD, Swamp
scott"
"When?"
"This morning-the only opportun
lty l have had"
"And what did she say?"
'She positively identified it as tn,
property of the late Paul North"
This appeared to be the extent o
Thomas information. When he wen
out. White said with a smile:
Bless me if that man wouldn'
stand as a model for this description
am writing"
ETH" exclaimed the chief inspector
turning suddenly in his chair ZAP
Dlebee, watch that man,
What? Thomas?" cried the sub
ordinate, in amused amazement.
THAT same Thomas said the chief
dryly; "unless you want the newspa
pers to get ahead Of us in this matter
For tell you that man knows NOR,
,nan he has told U.S."
CHAPTER XIII.
STILL THE MOISSOT WOMAN.
Early in the morning of the Monday
when Thomas was on his way to Hart
ford, Detective Lamm unlocked his
office door Almnsa tho fret nhioot II