Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-26
THE MARATHON MYSTERY.
BY BURTON E. STEVENSON.
Copyright. 1904. BY Henry Holt q Co,

find he had some reason to injure Drysdale
I'm sure we shall, in fact"
But the button-the pistol-Drysdale' 9
unexplained absence?"
Those points only be cleared up by
a personal investigation of the premises.
That's why we're going to Edgemere"
Godfrey l said there seems to me to
be one great objection to your theory that
Iremaine killed Thompson. If Miss Croy-
don saw him do it, would She consent to
associate with him? Wouldn't her very
knowledge of his crime give her a greater
hold on him than he has on her sister,
He paused to turn this over.
Yes he admitted at last: ''it would but
woman might not think of that
desperate woman would think OF
| everything l said land if your theory is
desperate"
He nodded without answering. and sat
staring before him, his brows knitted in
perpiexity.
might have urged, had / known of it-but l
was not yet possessed of the story of the
house party. If Tremane was the husband
of Mrs. Delroy, how could he propose mar
riage to her sister? That rock, as
yet unseen by us, which loomed ahead
which we could not avod-upon which our
theory must inevitably be dashed to pieces.
The train flashed past two or three big
hotels, then the brakes were applied.
Here's Babylon said Godfrey, rousing
himself from the profound reverie into
which my question had thrown him. Wen
look in upon the prisoner, first, and cheer
him up a bit"
The Jail only a short distance from
the station. and a five minutes walk
! brought to it,
We're here In behalf of Mr. Drysdale,
Godfrey explained to the jailer. This is
Mr. Lester of Graham & Royce of New
, York. who have been retained to defend
him. L suppose may see him.
IN take in your cards" he said, after
looking us over. IF Mr.. Drysdale wants
to see you: it's all right, but you'll be the
first ones
heard the rafting of keys and the clang-
ing of an iron door. He was back again
In moment
Step this way. gentlemen" he said
Drysdale was sitting on the bunk in his
little cell. He came forward with hand
outstretched as soon as he saw Godfrey.
This is mighty kind of you, jim he
said.
"In have to lock you in, gentlemen"
broke in the jailer. How soon must l
come fer you?"
Say twenty minutes" answered Godfrey,
looking al his watch. Then he turned back
to us as the jaler's steps died away down
the corridor. Jack he said this is Mr..
Lester of Graham & Royce, who've been
retained tan, to look after your case"
My case? Who retained them?''
Il did. l scarcely supposed you were GO
Ing to let yourself be convicted without lift
ing a finger"
Drysdale smiled bitterly.
They won't convict me. Just the same,
I'm glad to see you, Mr.. Lester" and he
held out his hand. Il shall, of course, need
some legal advice"
Il m glad you admit that muchr' retorted
Godfrey, with sarcasm. Il understand that
you haven't condescended as yet to prove
an alib?
No answered the prisoner quietly
The fact is, l can't prove an aibi"
You can't?" and Godfrey's face paled a
little
NO: when l left the house that night I
went down to the pier and had a little talk
with Graham, then II wandered around
the grounds until the storm came up when
l went back to the house and I'D to nv
room Nobody saw me: I spoke to nobody
atter / left Graham until I returned to the
mouse. There's only my own word for it,
what was the use of telling the police a
story like that?"
NO use at all agreed Godfrey hastily.
i m glad you didn't tell it, But what on
earth possessed you to behave in such
crazy fashion,
Ihat, answered Drysdale still more
quietly is one question which | must abb
solutely refuse to answer
Go be continued