Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-12-04
II Story Of Manbaffo
Not Il soul; not a soul in sight. y
By BURTON E. STEVENSO


"He might have gone into one of the
other rooms, mightn't he?"
"They was all locked-I'm certain O.
that"
Godfrey took thoughtful puff or
two.
WELL" continued Higgins, quieting
down little, but still keeping one eye
over his shoulder, "as was sayin', 1
throwed open tn door, an there was
TIL girl leanin' agin tn wall an Thomp-
son on tn floor with big blood spot
on his shirt front. jest give one look
at 'em an then went down tn steps
three at time an over t. tn station.
I tell you, it 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.
mot 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 1t.
ibid you find the doors all lockedW
"nvsry 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 janttor.
| Higgins grew red in the face
Il amt got nothin' more t. sayp he
burst out explosively. you'll be sayin'
did 1t ne1t!"
'Oh, no." retorted Simmonds coolly.
you didn't do 1t. But I'm not quite
sure you've told us all you know"
Higgins sprang from his chair fairly
foaming at the mouth with rage, but
Simmonds calmly disregarded him.
I've left man on 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 jingling ring back to the
Janitor and went out
They amt no cause t. suspect me.
amt done nothln'," grumbled the jan
itor. Then he looked medltatively at
his keys, which he still held in his hand.
Funny" he murmured. Funny. 1
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 a man and woman entered.
There they come nowv' cried Hig-
gins, springing to his feet. Good even
in, Mr.. Tremaine.'
Good evening"" returned the stran-
ger In voice singularly rich and pleas
ant.
II was jest a-sayin' t. my friend
here" added the janitor, that hadn't
seen y go out"
Godfrey for an instant found himself
gazing into pair Of the keenest eyes
he had ever encountered.
You wished to see me?" asked Ire
maine.
"Oh, no, no." interrupted Higgins.
"But tn p'lice was goin through tn
buildin' -
''The police?"
"Oh, l forgot-you don't know-that
man Thompson's been murdered. He
had tn SCOT right acrost TIL hall from
you"
Murdered" echoed Tremaine. "NIur-
dered! Why, that's terrible! Who did
It? How did it happen9"
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,
II was kind o. surprised. I thought
you was at home might"
"We left the house just after Z
e'clock-that was the first that knew
fourteen was occupied-I could see
light through the transom. / didn't
see you anywhere about" Tremaine
started forward
"Elevator, sir?" asked Higgins.
"No; we've been sitting all evening
at the vaudeville" and they went on
up the stairs, leaving Godfrey staring
otter them.
Godfrey smoked on placidly. He
suspected that Higgins had something
more to tell, and he saw that the only
way to get 1t was to wait with what
patience he could. He was in no hur-
~; besides, he wanted time to think.
The door opened; he heard Higgins
utter sharp cry Of amazement. He
looked up to see Simmonds-and with
him another man, short, heavy set,
with dark mustache. He caught the
CLEAN Of steel at his wrists.
Higgins was on his feet, staring,
$50 you recognize him, do your,
asked Simmonds, his face shining with
triumph. II thought ! couldn't be
wrong. I got him quicker N / ex-
pected, Godfrey; didn't even have
to hunt for him. Of course you know
hl|mm?'
said the prisoner politely. "oh, yes,
Mr.. Godfrey knows me-he knows me
too well to think ia be mixed pn In
anything like this?''
How are you, Jimmys" returned
Godfrey. "No, I didn't SUPPOSE
"Qf course notP' said Jimmy, with
soorn. II wouldn't put man out
chat amt my line" Ana, mdeeS, II
wasn't, for Jimmy the Dude had
gained his reputation as an expert
n III, lnf L,