The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-11-22
A Story Of Manhattan
cosyrixbf. 1904, BY Henry Holt and Company
per. "He said he'd bring the coroner

per. HE said he'd bring the coroner
with him."
Delroy nodded without looking up.
Ten, twenty, thirty minutes passed
thirty centuries during which no one
spoke. Then thxy heard the swift clat-
ter Of q horses hoofs, the whir Of
wheels, and q buggy pulled up before
the door. Thomas had it open on the
instant, and the two men walked in.
What is it, Delroy" asked one of
them. Nothing serious, I-ah" he
added as his eyes fell upon the cot
He went to it quickly, the other fol-
lowing; touched the hideous wounds.
looked into the eyes, felt the temples.
"He's dead" he said at last; "has
been dead two or three hours, l should
say. His skull is crushed-fairly beat
en- in. It's your gardener, Graham,
isn't it?''
"Yes," Delroy answered.
The doctor stepped back.
81 turn the case over to you. Heffcl
bower" he said. "It's in your province
now. Mr.. Delroy, this is Mr.. Heffel
bower, the coroner"
Heffelbowcr bowed. He was a little,
stout man, baldheaded and with wide
open blue eyes that stared like 4 dolls.
Primarily he was a saloon keeper, but
had been elected coroner as a reward
for his valuable services to his party.
He possessed certain native shrewd-
ness which fitted him to some extent
for the office; also lack of nerves and
familiarity with crime which might
often be of service.
II presume" he began slowly, tat
tbs man wasn't killed here in his bed?'
'No," said Delroy, I'VE found him ~
ing out on the pier yonder. We
thought it only common humanity to
bring him in, since there might have
been a spark of life left.'
ooh, of course" agreed the coroner
instantly. visibly impressed by Del
roy's presence. Tat was right. WHO
found tie body?'
"His son, there" and Delroy ndi
Gated young Graham by gesture.
'I'll tell everything | know, sir,
said William, coming forward eagerly
Il went up t. tn house about O'Clock
and brought this cot down, intendin' t
turn in here an relieve father at mid
night. Father was settin' out there OF
tn pier a-smokin' his pipe when
turned in | went t. sleep almost a.
soon as / touched tn piller. l dom
know how long it was, but after awhile
I kind o woke up an heard voices
a-talkin' out there on tn pier. l go
up an looked out tn winder an purity
soon / saw it was Mr.. Drysdale will
father"
"Drysdale? Who's he?" asked thu
coroner
Hes a friend of NINE" spoke III
Delroy quickly, IAN old friend. Hes
staying here at the house with US IL
fact, he's to marry my wife's sister"
The coroner bowed.
Every Well,' he said, turning back IL
Graham, you may continue.
"Well," went on the young fellow
"as soon as saw it was Mr.. Drysdal,
l knowed it was all right, SO / wen
back to bed ag'in. An | didn't know
nothin' more till a great clap O. thunder
nearly took Til roof off TIL house. l Sc
up in bed. but / couldn't seem t. g:
awake fer Il minute, my head was
whirlin' so. Then l got on my fee
an looked out TIL winder an jest thcl
IT lightencd agin an l seen father
layin' there
He stopped with sob that SHOOT
him through and through.
"That will do for tie present. sal
the coroner klnuly. 1T seems rather
extraordinary, he added, turning tt
Delroy, tat tbs man should have sal
cut t'ere in tie rain at tat time OF
night. Was he fishing?
Delroy sprang to his feet with a sud
den start