Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-10-20
CHAPTER ".
49,

lfHNfNl htaslNE presenting ltUElreS
Ez25 OF morbid or sensational In
terest, and Goldberg. with an in
born love % the theatric, arranged
his witnesses 50 as 10 lead gradually
90 the climax. the denouement He
put the janitor on the stand first. and
then bad Smmonds tell his story
Some medical testimony followed as TO
the exact nature OF Thompson's In
Juries, and the bullet which had been
extracted. was put in evidence-it was
plainly much too large TO have come
from Miss CroydOn's pistol Finally
Miss Croydon herself was called. A
little gasp Of delicious excitement ran
through the crowd as she appeared at
the door OF the witness room. Here
was udbit 90 touch the palates OF
even the jaded police reporters.
Godfrey. looking at her as she came
steadily forward 70 the stand. felt his
heart warm with admiration She
seemed perfectly composed and. II not
perfectly az ease. at least as nearly
so as any woman OF her position could
be 10 such a place Godfrey was
pleased 10 see Drysdale in close at
tendance, and he nodded 10 him en-
couragingly
Miss Croydon told her story clearly
and with an accent OF sincerity there
was no doubling Ii differed in one
detail from the story she had told the
night before Thompson. she said. had
perceived the intruder. and there had
been short. fierce struggle before
he fen under the blow of the pipe.
He was not unconscious. but was
struggling 10 his feet again when
bis assailant shot him.
The coroner glanced at the jury. but
none OF them seemed disposed TO ask
any questions Then Goldberg made
sign 90 Simmonds He left the room.
but reappeared in moment. lead
ing en- Jimmy the Dude.
Not until they were quite near did
Miss Croydon perceive them; then. as
her eyes met the prisoners. she half
started from her chair. her face Ike
marble. As for Jimmy. Godfrey was
nstonished 90 perceive the fascinated
gaze DE bent upon Miss Croydon.
Goldberg had perceived their agita-
ton, and the gaze he bent upon the
witness grew pcrceptibly more stern.
Miss Croydon ne began. you
have described the guilty man as short
and heavy set with n dark mustache
turning up 40 the ends Look at the
prisoner before you. L. lac the MANI"
lie Is not" replied the witness in
firm voice and without an instant's
hesitation.
You are sureT"
Perfectly sure; there IS little or no
resemblance"
''That is all" he said abruptly.
"Nou may 90. Miss Croydon"
She passed from sight. the door
closed. and Godfrey leaned back In his
chair 20 hear Jimmy tell q smooth
story OF his doings the night before.
Magraw and hair n dozen others con
frmed the tale; II was a really good
abb, carefully arranged: there was
nothing 10 dsprove SO. and at the end
the jury. without retiring. handed In
the usual verdict Of death at the hands
OF n person unknown.
When Il was over Simmonds crooked
at Godfrey an Inviting finger. and to
gether they went down TO the detec-
tive's private Office.
"Sit down." said Simmonds. Il want
20 talk 10 you. We're up against a
tough proposition"
Godfrey sat down and looked at him.
Have you gone through Thompson's
belongingsg"
Here they are" and Simmonds
brought out a canvas bag and opened
1t. Look at them"
Godfrey turned out the contents and
examined them piece by piece. II was
merely lot OF ordinary clothing. most
of II much the worse for wear and oil
OF II strongly impregnated with the
odor OF tobacco.
Anything In the pOcketsT asked
Godfrey.
''Not thing except some loose smok-
ing tobacco. There's one thing about
the clothing. thOugh-have YOU noticed?
It's all summer clothing: see these
linen trousers. now2"
Godfrey podded with drawn brows.
whats thisf" he asked suddenly.
holding up swart object shaped Ike
a clam shell and halving In the same
way along the sharp edge
Il don't know \ curio picked up al
sea somewhere. perhaps. have
theory that Thompson was a sailor"
"whyT"
well, the bag. in the first place
only sailor would carry his clothes
chat way Then put your head down
In II and under the tobacco you'll
smell the salt"
Godfrey shifted and nodded again.
Then he got out his knife
Lets take a look at the inside Of
Mr.. Thompson's curio." he said. and
inserted the blade.
twist and the sides Enclosed. Sim
monds sprang back with sharp cry OF
surprise as he saw what lay within,
and even Godfrey's heart gave a sud
den leap.
For there. colled thrice upon Itself
lay little viper. with venomous, tri-
angular head.
- l. L