The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-04-12

note?"
cit was folded" was Miss Tuttle's
quiet answer.
You did not remain before these
bookshelves long?" observed the cor
oner.
You have witness who knows
more about that than do" she sug-
gested, and, doubtless aware of the
temerity of this reply, waited with UNI
moved countenance, but with visibly
bounding breast, for what would
doubtless prove fresh attack.
1t was violent one and of a char
acter she was least fitted to meet. TAX
ing up the box l have so often men
toned, the coroner drew away the
ribbon lying on top and disclosed the
pistol In a moment her hands were
over her ears.
why do you do that?" he asked.
did you think was going. to dis
charge it?''
She smiled pitifully as she let her
hands fall again.
II have dread of firearms" she ex-
planned. II always have had Now
they are simply terrible to me, and this
one
II understand" said the coroner,
Durbin.. They had evidently planned
this test together on the strength of
an idea suggested to Durbin by her for
mer action when the memory Of this
shot was recalled to her.
"Your horror seems to lie in the di-
rection of the noise they make" con-
tinued her memorable interlocutor.
Zone would say you had heard this
pistol discharged"
Instantly complete breaking up Of
her hitherto well maintained compo-
sure altered her whole aspect, and she
vehemently. cried:
II did, did! I was on Waverley
avenue that night, and heard the shot
which in all probability ended my sis
ter's life. walked farther than I in
tended. Istrolled into the street which
had such bitter memories for us, and l
heard-no, l was not in search Of my
sister. l had not associated my sisters
going out with any intention of visit
ing this house. was merely troubled
In mind and anxious and-and'-
"And SO under a similar impulse you,
As well as Mr.. jeffrey, chose this un-
canny place to ramble in. To all ap-
pearance that old hearth acted much
more like loadstone upon members
Of your family than you were willing
at one time to acknowledge"
"You say 'ramble through. Do you
old house"
Miss Tuttle," was the grave, almost
sad reply did you not know that in
some earth, dropped from flowerpot
overturned at the time when hundred
| guests few in terror from this house,
there is to be seen the mark of foot.
step-a footstep which you are at lib
arty to measure with your own?''
"Ah!" she murmured, her hands go
ing up to her face.
But in another moment she had
dropped them and looked directly at
the coroner.
Il walked there-1 never said that
| did not walk. there-when went later
to see my sister and in sight of a num-
| Der of detectives passed straight
! through the halls and into the library
"And that this footstep," inexorably
proceeded the coroner, lis not in a line
with the main thoroughfare extending
| from the front to the back Of the house,
but turned inward toward the WALL as
If she who made it had stopped to lean
her head against the partition?''
Miss Tuttle's head dropped.
IF went into the house," she said
ut was not to enter that room. l had
too great dread of it. If rested my
head against the wall it was in terror
of that shot. 1t came so suddenly and
was so frightful, so much more fright
full than anything you can conceive"
"Then you did enter the house?''
i II did"
"And it was while you were inside
instead of outside, that you heard TIL
shot?'
| 81 must admit that too. 1 was a
the library door,
"You acknowledge that?"
II do"
:. "But you did not enter the library 7?
mo, not then; not till l was take
back by the officer who told me of M
sisters DEATH,
1--WE are glad to hear this precis
statement from you. 1t encourages m
to ask again the nature of the frea
which took you into this house. 70
say that it was not from any dread o
your sisters account. What, the1
was it? No evasive answer will salts
fy us, Miss Tuttle."
II cannot answer" she said.
1--WE will not oblige you to-" said th
coroner.
However" he now went on wit
suddenly assumed severity, you ma
answer this: Was the house dark 9
light when you entered it? And ho'
did you get in?"
''The house was dark, and I got /
through the front door, which foun
a ajar."
i "You are more courageous than mos