Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-19

man, bald headed ana with wide-open blue
eyes that stared Hike dolPs Primarily. he
was saloon keeper. but had been elected
coroner as a reward for his valuable serv-
Ices to his party. He possessed a certain
native shrewdness which fitted him to
some extent for the Office: also a lack OF
nerves and a familiarity with crime, which
might often be of service
81 presume" he began slowly, "tat tbs
man wasn't killed here In his bed?''
mo" said Delroy. I'VE found him lying
out on the pier yonder We thought II only
common humanity TO bring him In, since
there might have been spark of life left"
'Oh, of course" agreed the coroner in
stantly, visbly impressed by Delroys pres
ence. Tat was right Who fot,nd t'e
bodye'
His son. there and Delroy Indicated
young Graham by gesture.
Inc coroner turned toward him; II was
easy to see that he had high opinion OF
his own ability as cross-exaininer and de-
rector OF crime. He wasn't actually smil-
Ing. but his round face was shining with
satisfaction. Babylon and the neighboring
Henei3owers first important case since his
election. He would show his constituents
how wise their choice had been.
my dear sir. he began. evidently proud
or his command of language. the result of
many years OF saloon debates. and speaking
with distressing care but with n racial In
ability to conquer the "th.'' II know such
recital viii be painful to you-most paIn-
ful-but i must hear from you Just how
tie discovery was made. You will natur-
ally be more anxious tan any one to bring
to Justice tie scoundrel who committed It's
crime, so please give us all tie details pos
sibe. Ten / will know how to proceed"
From the moment of his entrance. Tre-
maine had been contemplating the coroner
with half-closed eyes. now. he turned back
to the window with little contemptuous
smile.
"Tn tell everything I know sir" said
William. coming forward eagerly. II went
up t tn house about o'clock and brought
this cot down, intendn' { turn In here an
relieve father at midnight. Father was
settin' out there on tn pier a-smokin' his
pipe when l turned in. / went { sleep al
most as soon l touched tn piller 1
don't know how long 1t was, but after a
while / kind o. woke up an heard voices
a-talkin' out there In tn pier. / got up
an looked out tn winder an purity soon
l saw IL Mr.. Drysdale with father"
"Drysdale? Who's he?" asked the cor
oner.
He's friend OF mine" spoke up Delroy
quickly. IAN old friend He's staying here
at the house with In fact, he's TO
marry my wifes sister"
The coroner bowed.
VERY WE'LL" he said. turning back to
Graham, you may continue"
We'll" went on the young fellow. 'as
soon I saw 1t was Mr.. Drysdale,
knowed 1t was all right, so / went back
to bed ag'in. An 1 didn't know nothin'
more till a great clap O. thunder nearly
took tn roof off tn house. l set up in
bed, but l couldn't seem L git awake fer a
minute. my head was whirlin' Then I
got on my feet an looked out tn winder
an Jest then II lightened agin an 1 seen
father layin' there
He stopped with sob that shook him
through and through.
THAT will do for tie present" said the
coroner kindly. 1T seems rather extraor-
binary" he added, turning to Deroy, tat
tbs man should have sat out t'ere I'm tie
rain at tat time of night. Was he fishing?"
Delroy sprang to his feet with sudden
start.
Fishing" he cried. mo! I'd forgotten.
He was guarding my wife's necklace"
He threw open the door and ran out on
the pier, the others following At the eX-
IRENE end a rope was dangling In the water.
He reached over and pulled Il up. The
wire cage was Tapping open. The necklace
had disappeared.
(To be continued tomorrow.)