The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-02-24

She hesitated moment, then in a
low, eager voice she said:
Because have already seen that
three edged knife in another persons
possession"
"That's pretty strong evidence" de.
clared. "The person in question will
have to prove that he was not in Ran.
noch Wood last evening at nightfall."
"How do you know it was done at
nightfall?" she asked quickly with some
surprise, half-arising from her chair.
81 merely surmised that it was" I
responded, inwardly blaming myself for
my ill-timed admission.
"Ah!" she said with slight sigh,
"there is more mystery in this affair
than we have yet discovered, Mr.. Gregg.
What, l wonder, brought the unfortunate
young man up into our woodw
San appointment, without q doubt.
But with whom?"
She shook her head, saying:
"My father often goes to that spot to
shoot pigeon in the evening. He told us
at luncheon to-day. How fortunate ne
was not there last night, or he might
be suspected"
"Yes," said. "It is a very fortunate
circumstance, for it cannot be a pleasant
experience to be under suspicion of be-
ing an assassin. He was at home last
night, was he?" added casually.
"Of course. Don't you recollect that
when you called he chatted with you? !
did some typewriting for him in the
study, and we were together all the
afternoon-or at least till nearly five
o'clock, when we went out into the hall
tn tea"
"Then what is your theory regarding
the AFFAIR."" | inquired, rather puzzled
why she should so decisively prove an
abb for her father.
at seems certain that the poor fellow
went to the wood by appointment, and
was killed. But have you been up to the
spot since the finding of the body?''
"No. Have your"
eyes. The affair interested me, and
as soon as | recognized the old Italian
knife in the hand of the keeper, went
up there and looked about | am glad
l did so, for l found something which
seems to have escaped the notice of the
detectives"
"And what's that?" l asked eagerly.
"Why, about three yards from the
pool OF blood where the unfortunate for
eigner was found is another small poo
Of blood where the grass and ferns
around are all crushed down as though
there had been struggle there"
"There may have been O struggle al
that spot, and the man may have stag
gered some distance before he fell dead.
"Not if he had been struck in the
heart, as they say. He would fall, would
he nOt?" she suggested. "No. The DO
lice seem very dense, and this plain fact
has not yet occurred to them. Their
theory is the same as what you suggest
but my own is something quite different
Mr.. Gregg. believe that second per
son also fell victim," she added in 8
low, distinct tone.
gazed at her open.mouthed. Die
she, l wondered, know the actual truth
Was she aware that the woman who hat
fallen there had disappeared?
"a second person!" echoed, a,
, though in surprise. "Then do you be
lieve that double murder was com
mittedp
81 draw my conclusion from the fact
that the young man, on being struck ir
the heart, could not have gone such n
distance as that which separates the
one mark from the other"
"But he might have been slightly
wounded-On the hand, or in the face
at first, and then at the spot where he
was found struck fatally" | suggested.
: She shook her head obviously. but
made no reply to my argument. Her
} confidence in her own surmses made Il
quite apparent that by some unknown
means she was aware OF the second vic.
tim. Indeed, few moments later she
said to me;