Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-07
Part III.
CECILY.
CHAPTER I,
A Change Of Lodgings.

As matter of course, the affair at the
Marathon created a great public sensation.
The papers overaowed with details,
theories, suggestions to the police, letters
from interested readers. Many OF the
latter We're quite certain that they could
quickly solve the mystery, but unfortu-
nately private business demanded their
whole attention. meanwhile the stupidity
of the detective force was disgrace to the
city; let the guilty parties be arrested
without further delay, whatever their po-
sition! 1t was remarkable how few ac-
cepted the simple theory which Simmonds
had propounded: all Of them chose to dis
Germ something deeper, more intricate more
mysterious, and Miss Croydon incurred much
oblique reference. This, for the most part
took the form of scathing, even hysterfcal
polemics against the degeneration Of Ameri-
can society, the greatest peril threatening
the health and prosperity of the republic.
AS Ii was with Rome, SO would 1t be with
America; luxury, sensualty, moral code
growing ever more lax, could have only one
result
No doubt these vigorous correspondents
enjoyed themselves and imagined that So
ciety quivered in CONSERVATION under the
castigation. Certainly they formed
source of exquisite amusement to the read
ers Of the papers
1t has long been a habit Of mine, when
any particular abstruse criminal mystery Is
before the public, to pin my faith to the
Record. Its other features / do not ad-
mire but knew that Jim Godfrey was its
expert in crime, and ever since my en-
counter with him in the Holiday case I
have entertained the liveliest admiration Of
his acumen and audacity. If mystery was
possible of solution, believe that he would
solve it, SO 1t was to the Record I turned
now, and read carefully every word he
wrote about the tragedy.
1t is difficult for me to explain, even to
myself, the interest with which I followed
the case. 1 suppose most of us have fond
ness, more or less unrealiZed, for the unique
and mysterious, and we all of US revolt
sometimes against the commonplaceness of
every day existence. We had been having
a protracted siege Of unusually hard work
at the office, and 1 was a little run down
in consequences; felt that needed tonic
distraction, and found 1t in The TRACE
dy in Suite Fourteen" as Godfrey had
chrstened 1t.
/ was sitting in my room on the evening
of the second day after the affair smoking
post-prandial pipe and reading the Rec.
ord's stenographic report of the coroner's
inquest, when there came a knock at my
door and my landlady entered. She held
in her hand paper which had a formidable
legal appearance.
Have you found another apartment vet,
Mr.. LESTER" she asked
No, haven't Mrs. Fitch" said. I'm
afraid I've not been as dilieent In looking
for one as I should have been"
We'll, I've just got another notice." and
she sighed YEARLY. They're going to be-
gin tearing down the house day after to-
morrow. can't find another house, SO I'm
going to put my furniture In storage. I've
told the men to come for 1t tomorrow
All right" I said. IF can't find an
apartment to suit, I'll put my stuff in
storage, too, and stay at a hotel for a
while. III know by tomorrow noon, Mrs.
Fitch" :"
Very well. 1t does seem hard. though"
she added, pausing on the threshold that
we should be the ones to suffer. when
there's SO many other blocks they might
have taken"
The residents of any Of the other
thing, L pointed out. After all, I sup
pose this block was better than the 9TH
ers, or 1t wouldn't have been chosen"
She shifted sceptically and went on her
way to notify her other dodgers Of the
imminent eviction
We were martyrs to the march Of public
Improvement; The block has been con-
demned' by the usual legal process and an
armory was to be erected on the site. So
there was nothing left for us to do but
move. l had hoped that Mrs. Fitch would
find another house somewhere in the neigh
borhood and that 1 could stay with her;
now, it seemed, 1 must search for 6ther
quarters, and at exceedingly short notice
To find comfortable ones, conveniently sit
ia ted, and at the same time within reach
of my modest income would, I knew, be a
problem not easy of solution.
/ settled back In my chair and took up
my paper again, when a sudden thought
brought me bolt upright. Here was an
apartment, two rooms and bath, just what
l wanted, empty-and moreover, 30 situated
that l should be admirably placed for close
at-hand study of the tragedy. / glanced at
my watch-it was only haf-past land I
hurried into my coat in a sudden fever of
Impotence lest some one else should get
there before me.
Twenty minutes walk brought me to the
Marathon. apartment house, and as /
stepped into the vestibule, l saw sitting by
the elevator red-faced man whom I recog-
nlZed instantly as Higgins, the janitor. He
rose as l approached him.
You have an apartment here to rent
haven't your l asked.
Not jest now, sir" he answered. There
will be next week-if tn walkin' delegates
leaves alone. You see, tn house is
bein' remodeled."
oh" 1 said. more disappointed than 1
cared to show, II thought perhaps there
week won't do me any good
He moistened his lips and scratched his
head, cycling me undoubtedly.
May l ask your name, sr?'' he said, at
last.
handed him card, which had also the
address of my firm, Graham & Royce. He
read 1t slowly.
We've got one apartment, SIR" he said
looking up when he had mastered 1t; two
rooms an bath-but it needs a little cleanin
up, When do y have { have it?"
'I have to move in tomorrow" l an
swered, and told him briefly why. MAY
look at this apartment"
He hesitated yet moment. then
Strengthened up with sudden resolution.
You kin see it If you want to. SIR" he
said; but first 1 must tell you that It's
SCOT fourteen where they was "a muir
der two days ago.
"a murder?" I repeated. "Oh, yes; did
see something about 1T in the papers.
Well, that doesn't make any difference;
I'm not afraid of ghosts.
Then that's all right, sir" he said,
with a sigh of relief, and motioned to-
ward the elevator. Il didn't believe we'd
find it so easy t rent that SCOT agin, he
added as we started upward though l
see now that 1 was foolish; fer really, 1t
don't make no difference"
The car stopped and he led the way
down the hall without troubling to fin
ish the sentence.
Here we are" he added, pausing be-
fore a door and producing a bunch of
keys. (Which reminds me that III have
t git a key fer you-the other tenant lost
his-leastwise, it wasn't found on him.
Or mebbe you'd rather I'd change tn
lock?"
"Oh, no. assured him. Another key
will do" and we entered together.
l examined the room with keen interest
Evidently everything had been left just as
1t was on the night of the crime; only the
md r