Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-10-13

Tie left temple.
Between fifty and sixty years OF
age" remarked Godfrey. ''Poufi Smell
the whisky"
Then. looking into the staring eyes.
he uttered a sudden exclamation
"See there. Simmonds. how the right
pupils dilated. Do you know what
that meansT'
Simmonds shook his head.
mo. can't say l do"
1T means" said Godfrey, shat
somebody hit this fellow lard blow
on the left side OF the head and pro-
duced hemorrhage OF the brain"
They stripped back the shirt from
the breast A little blood was still
yelling from a wound just over the
heart.
That's what did the Business" OBJ
served Slmaonds. "aDG az close range
too See there" and he pointed TO the
red marks about the wound. "He
wasn't shot from the corner, that's
sure. Let's see what he's got In his
pockets"
The examination was soon made
There were only a pipe. a knife. pack
age Of cheap tobacco, a handful OF
loose coins and an old pocketbOok con
tanning little roll OF newspaper clip
pings and a receipt for a months rent
FOR suit fourteen made out to al
Thompson"
Thompson repeated Simmonds.
''and n lot OF clippings. Can you read
French. Godfreyy'
"A little" answered Godfrey modest
ly. Let me see" He took the clip
pings and looked at the first one.
'Suresues. Sept 16. 1S91.''' be read
lhaltingly. 81 have TO report an event
the most interesting which has Just
happened here. and which proves again
the futility OF vows the most rigorous
70 quiet the ardent desires OF the hui
| man heart or 20 change the "-
"Oh. well" Interrupted SimmOnds,
eve can't waste time reading any more
OF that rot: lt sounds like a French
novel The coroner can wrestle with
IL. II he thinks It's worth while"
| He replaced the clippings ia the
purse. which ne slipped back into the
pocket from which De had taken IT,
"Now" he added. rising 10 his feet.
''we'd better get the girls story"
| Miss Croydon" he began abruptly.
though perhaps in a gentler voice than
he would have used toward the aver
age suspect were you in the room
when this man was killedr'
Yes. sir"
"You know himg"
"Only slightly" she answered cool
lily. disregardlng Godfrey's stare OF
amazement "Hls name. ! think. was
Thompson"
You had an engagement with him
heref"
yes. sir; on private matter which
cannot concern the police"
Simmonds passed that over for the
moment
"Wnl you kindly tell Us just what
Ihappeuedf" he asked.
II drove here in cab" she said.
speaking rapidly. which told 10 wait
FOR me. I'm the vestibule I met the
Janitor and asked 90 be conducted to
suit fourteen. lie brought me mp here
where Mr.-Mr Thompson was wait
Ing. I entered and closed the door.
We were talking together when the
door OF the inner room opened and a
man came out Before I realized what
he was doing he had raised bar OF
iron he held IN his hand and struck
Mr.. Thompson upon the head. Then.
standing over him. he drew a revolver
and fred one shot at him. had
shrunk away into the corner. but
thinking him a mailman. believing my
own life IN danger. / drew my pocket
pistol and fred nc him. Without even
CHANGING az me he opened the outer
door and disappeared. The janitor
rushed ln q moment later"
Did your shot hit hlmT" asked
Simmonds
Il don't know. I think not lie
showed 40 sign OF being wounded"
| SImmonds stood looking AT her. God
frey turned 20 an examination OF the
opposite wall
Miss Croydon's shot went Wild" he
said. curiously elated az this conhrma-
ton OF her story. Here's the bullet"
aud he pointed - 30 Embedded In tue
woodwork Of the bedroom door.
| SimmOndS took look AT II. then he
returned TO the Inquiry.
Did you know this intruder?" be
asked
"No. sir. Ia never before seen him.
she answered steadily.
"Wil YOU describe himF'
| She closed her ewes. seemingly in ar
effort at recollection.
He was a short. heavy set man." she
said az last with dark face and
dark mustache. which turned up at tbs
ends. That's all can remember"
And dressed howF''
"In dark clothes. He wore n slouct
hat. think. drawn down over the eyes
didn't see the face clearly"
The answer came without hesitation
but IL seemed 10 Godfrey that Their,
was IN the voice an accent OF forced
sincerity.
What did he 90 with the bar OF
irong' asked SfmmOnds.