Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-01-02
mere could be no doubt that we had

1nere could be no doubt that we had
reached the end of our journey. Pom
pey ran about and whined eagerly out
side the gate, where the marks of the
brougham's wheels were still to be
seen. A footpath led across to the lone
" cottage. Holmes tied the dog to the
hedge, and we fastened onward. My
friend knocked at the little rusty door
and knocked again without response.
And yet the cottage was not deserted,
for low sound came to our ears-a
kind Of drone of misery and despair
which was indescribably melancholy.
Holmes paused irresolute, and then he
glanced back at the road which he had
Just traversed. A brougham was COM
Ing down it, and there could be no mis-
taking those gray horses.
"By Jove. the doctor is coming back!"
cried Holmes. THAT settles 1t. We are
bound to see what 1t means before he
comes"
He opened the door, and we stepped
Into the hall. The droning sound swell
ed louder upon our ears until it became
one long, deep wall Of distress. Itcame
from upstairs. Holmes darted up, and
I followed him. He pushed open q
half closed door, and we both stood ap-
palled at the sight before US.
A woman, young and beautiful, was
lying dead upon the bed. Her calm,
pale face, with dim, wide opened blue
eyes, looked upward from amid great
tangle of golden hair. At the foot Of
the bed, half sitting, half kneeling, his
face buried In the clothes, was young
man, whose frame was racked by his
sobs. So absorbed was he by his bitter
grief that he never looked up until
Holmes hand was on his shoulder.
Are you Mr.. Godfrey StauntonT
Eyes, yes, am-but you are too late.
She is dead"
The man was SO dazed that he could
| not be made to understand that we
were anything but doctors who had
been sent to his assistance. Holmes
was endeavoring to utter few words
| Of consolation and to explain the alarm
which had been caused to his friends
by his sudden disappearance when
there was step upon the stairs, and
there was the heavy. stern, question
| ing face of Dr.. Armstrong at the door.
$50, gentlemen" said he, "you have
attained your end and have certainly
chosen q particularly delicate moment
| for your intrusion. l would not brawl
| in the presence Of death, but can as
sure you that If were younger man
| your monstrous conduct would not
pass with impunity."
"Excuse me, DR.. Armstrong, think
we are little at cross purposes said
my friend, with dignity. IF you
could step downstairs With us we may
each be able to give some light to the
other upon this miserable affair"
A minute later the grim doctor and
ourselves were III the sitting room be-
low.
"Well, sir?" said he.
II wish YOU to understand, In the
first place, that am not employed by
Lord AIount-James and that my sym
patllics III this matter are entirely
aglillt't that nobleman. When man
is lost it is my duty to ascertain his
fate. but having done so the matter
en;.; ~ fa; H.; i am concerned, and so
loEg -; there is nothing criminal am
much more anxious to hush W private
scaHt.ais than to give them publicity
If, as l iIla..i.:c, there Is no breach OF
tiia law in t.i:s matter. You can abso
lucy ,,epani upon my discretion and
NY cooperation III keeping the facts
! o,.f ,r ~, ~ marc