The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-02-22

events We're already GROWING
his three days old wonder to the wall.
"Verdict in the case of Wallace
Pfeiffer, found lying dead on the
hearthstone of the old Moore house Ii
brary.
"Concussion of the brain, preceded
by mental shock or heart failure.
'The body went on to Denver today"
And below, separated by the narrow
est Of spaces:
"Mr. and Mrs. Francis Jeffrey have
decided to give up their wedding tour
and spend their honeymoon in Wash
ington. They will occupy the Ran
some house on Il street.
The last para graph brought me back
to the question then troubling my
mind. Was it in the household of this
newly married pair and in the possible
secret passions underlying their union
that one should look for the cause of
the murderous crime l secretly i'm
agined to be hidden behind this seem
@g suicide, or were these parties In
hocent and old David Moore the one
motive power in precipitating a trag-
edy the result of which had been to
enrich him and impoverish them? Ger |
family a most serious and important
question and one which any man might
be pardoned for attempting to answer,
especially if that man was young de-
tective lamenting his obscurity and
dreaming Of a recognition which would
yield him fame and the wherewithal
to marry certain clever but mis-
chievous little mink of whom you are
destined to hear more.
But how was that same young de-
tective, hampered as he was and held
IN thrall by fear of ridicule and
total lack Of record, to get the chance
b push an inquiry requiring opportuni-
ties which could only come by special
favor? This was what l continually
asked myself, and always without re-
suit.
True, might approach the captain
or the major with my story of the
telltale marks had discovered in the
dust covering the southwest chamber
mantelshelf, and, if fortunate enough
to find that these had been passed over
by the other detectives, seek to gain
a hearing thereby and secure for my
self the privileges so earnestly de-
sired. But my egotism was such that
] wished to be sure of the hand which
had made these marks before parted
with secret which, once told, would
make or mar me. Yet to obtain the
z slight concession of an interview with
any of the principals connected with
this crime would be difficult without
the aid of one or both of my superiors
Even to enter the house again where
but few hours before l had made
myself so thoroughly at home would
require a certain amount Of pluck, for
Durbin had been installed there, and
Durbin was a watchdog whose bite
as well as his bark l regarded with
considerable respect. Yet into that
house must sooner or later go, if only
to determine whether or not I had
been alone in my recognition Of GER
tain clews pointing plainly toward
murder. Should trust my lucky star
and remain for the nonce quiescenti
This seemed wise suggestion, and
decided to adopt it. comforting myself
with the thought that il after day
1or two of modest waiting I failed III
obtaining what I wished could then
appeal to the lieutenant Of my OWL
precinct. He, l had sometimes felt as
gured, did not regard me with an al
together unfavorable eye.
Meantime spent all my available
time in lettering around newspaper of.
ices and picking up such stray bits OF
had yet been raised Of any more Sc
rious crime than suicide, these mostly
related to the idiosyncrasies Of the
Moore family and the solitary position
into which Miss futile had beer
plunged by this sudden death Of hel
only relative. AS this beautiful anG
distinguished young woman had beer
and still was great belle in her spe
c1al circle, her present homeless. if no,
penniless, position led to many sur
misses. Would she marry, and, if SO
to which of the many wealthy OF
prominent men who had openly court
ed her would she accord her hand? Ii
the present egotistic state of my mine
i secretly fattered myself that / wa:
right in concluding that she would sa,
yes to no mans entreaty till certain
newly made widower's year of mourn
ing had expired.
But this opinion received something
of a check when in quiet talk with ;
reporter l learned that it was 3penl.
stated by those who had CO.. ge I,
speak that the tie which haslfis Sainl,
existed at one time betweelas Nc JEFF
frey and the handsome Miss TGttle ha,
been entirely of her own weaving. ant
that the person of Veronica Moore
rather than the large income she com
manded, had been the attractive pow
er which had led him away from III
older sister. This seemed improbable
for the charms of the poor little Bird
were not to be compared with those o
her maturer sister. Yet, as we a
Know, there are other attractions tina
those offered by beauty. l have sine
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