Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1906-01-25

30 you think Mr.. North could have
written 1t himself2"
well, that's leading question, an
swered the surgeon, as he leaned back
in his chair. Il did not see the writing"
"No2" said Thomas. He unrolled the
photographers proof. well, there 1t
is-natural size, just as 1t looks"
The surgeon scTutinized the scraWl
with great interest.
"Well, this is most extraordinary"
he said. why, you can plainly mark
how many times he was obliged to dip
his anger by the corresponding heavi-
ness of outline. Observe the s, the a,
the h, and finally the letter following
the u, where his strength seems sud-
denly to have deserted him and the fin
ger dragged downwards. That makes
four times"
Yes, If he wrote 1t" said Thomas.
But how about that, doctor7"
There is. at least, no conclusive rea-
son why he might not have written It
himself. 1t was certainly done with his
forefinger A careful examination Of
the end of that finger convinces me that
it had not only been dipped in blood, but
thereafter drawn over a surface while
wet. The difference in the degree of
the stain at different parts of the finger
indicates that How far above the floor
is this writing?"
Just about foot and half. II isa
tinted wall, and the writing is imme-
diately above the footboard"
WAS the writing horizontal? Did
it run just parallel with the footboard?"
Just about"
'If a man had directed this writing
from a higher point, Thomas, he would
have written back handed. How was
the slope Of the letters?"
Natural"
"And have you seen any specimens
Of North's handwriting? Does he form
his letters that way?"
YES; as nearly as could be expected
under the circumstances"
Then l should say" said the surgeon,
rising, that it is more than probable
that North wrote it."
".8ut with a wound like that" sug-
gested the reporter, death must have
been instantaneous"
"Ah, there you have failed to distin-
| guish between speedy death and in
Simultaneous death. What is common
| ly called instantaneous death-from a
! shot in the heart, for instances by
no means such. A second is an hour to
a dying MAJ. On the other hand, the
I severing of the spinal column by bull
! let would actually cut thought in two.
Man goes into the presence of his Maker
under such circumstances without an
| instant to prepare himself. But in a
case like North's we must take into con-
sideration the power of the human viii
to prolong life"
But this writing on the wall was not
an act of memory"
mo. But with thought in a man of
strong purpose would come quick deter
mination and the power to act, even at
| that moment. You must bear in mind
that Mr.. North's death was caused by
| the filling of his lungs with blood in
stead of air. 1t was painless death,
and Mr.. North's will power would have
enabled him to prolong his life go sec
| OLNS pei hsABD CfOu LOU bGCOlAho- AMI
time for the writing of this name on the
wall, as you can see. Take the name
Paul North; trace it slowly, as if you
had to dip your finger in. the writing
fluid four times There. Tow time
yourself. How long did it take your"
! "Just 30 seconds" said Mr. Thomas.
Exactly. Now you understand the
possibilities ia this matter of the writ
ing; and l tell you, Thomas, this talk
with you only confirms and emphasizes
my belief that here you have great
case-one of the most extraordinary in
my experience. If you can put what I've
told you to good use, shall be glad;
but mind, / shall not look to see it in
the morning papers,"
The surgeon had arisen and was ac-
companying the reporter to the door,
Thomas stopped him by restraining
gesture.
by the way, doctor, stand just as you
are. Now will you put your finger on
that part of your body corresponding
to that where Paul North was shot?"
The surgeon obliged him. Thomas,
standing behind him, made several
rapid measurements and calculations
with his eye and banu.
There is something decidedly curious
there, DOCTOR" he said. Stand behind
me, please. Suppose me your intended
victim, if it's not too great strain on
your imagination. Now see where you
must hold your pistol to comply with
all conditions-within three feet, point
ed upward at an angle of 20 degrees!"
The surgeon, who FASTENED to attempt
the experiment, uttered an exclamation
Of surprise.
Curious how much man may miss
when he thinks he has observed the
whole, sometimes" he said. Why, /
never thought Of this before"
What, doctor?"
THE man who fired that ball must