Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-13
By BURTON E. STEVENSON

II Story Of Manhattan

"And there was no one In the hall?'
mot a soul; not n soul in sight"
Are you sure OF thatp'
"Sure O. course 1 am. There's a
light in tn hall-an'. anyway, they amt
no place anybody could hide"
He might have gone into one Of the
other rooms, mightn't heT"
"They was all locked--Tm certain O.
that"
Godfrey took a thoughtful puff or
two.
"wcll,' continued Higgins, quieting
down little. but still keeping one eye
over his shoulder, 'as ] was sayin',
throwed open tn door, an there was
tn girl leanin' aein tif wall an Thomp-
son on tn floor with a big blood spot
on his shirt front. Jest give one look
at 'em an then l went down tn steps
three at time an over t. tn station.
l tell you, 1t purity nigh done me up"
He was interrupted by tramp of
feet that came down the stairs. 1t was
Simmonds and the coroner.
"Well. we searched the house." said
Simmonds.
Nobody there?' asked Godfrey.
Not living soul. I didn't really
expect to find anybody; but we went
through every room-even to the suits
which are occupied"
Higgins opened his mouth suddenly;
then as suddenly closed it.
did you find the doors all locked?"
every one; the hall windows bolted
on the inside and the trap in the roof
hooked In place. There's only one way
our man could get out-that was by the
front door yonder." and Simmonds
looked sharply at the janltor.
Higgins grew red in the face.
II amt got nothin' more Z sayr' he
burst out cxplosively. you'll be sayin
did it next"
you didn't do it. But I'm not quite
sure you've told lis all you know"
Higgins sprang from his chair. fairly
foaming ut the mouth with rage, but
Simmonds calmly disregarded him.
I've left a man OH guard in four
teen" he said. Goldberg wants to
bring his Jury around in the morning to
look at things. Here's your keys" and
he handed the jingiing ring back to the
janitor and went out.
They amt no cause t. suspect me.
amt done nothin'," grumbled the jan
ltor. Then he looked meditatively at
his keys. which he still held in his hand
Funny" he murmured. Funny.
don't know when they went out"
Godfrey said nothing, but contem.
plated him through half closed eyes.
At that instant the street door opened
and man and woman entered.
There they come now!' cried Hig-
gins, sprineing TO his feet. Good even
in, Mr.. Trcmaine."
Good evening" returned the stran-
ger in a voice singularly rich and pleas
ant.
Il was Jest assyln' t. my friend
here" added the janitor. that hadn't
seen " go OUT
Godfrey for an instant found himself
gazing into pair of the keenest eyes
he bad ever encountered.
You wished to see me?" asked Ire
maine.
"Oh, no, no." Interrupted Higgins.
But TIL p'lice was goin' through tn
buildin' -
THE pollce?"
ooh, Forgotten don't know-that
man Thompson's been murdered. lie
had tn SCOT right acrost tn hall from
you"
Murdered" echoed Tremalne. "Mur-
dered. Why, that's terrible. Who did
1t! How did it happen?'
Higgins retold the story with some
JUNCTION, evidently enjoying his listen
er's horror. But Godfrey did not even
! glance at him. He was gazing, per
haps shade too intently for politeness
at Mrs. Tremaine. And, indeed, she
was woman to hold any mans eyes.
Godfrey rather wondered that Mrs
Tremaine took no part in the discus
sion. She stood listening alphabetically,
not even noticing his stare.
when they told me they'd gone
through your rooms" added Higgins
Il was kind O surprised. | thought
you was at hsme might"