Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-11-17
SATURDAY. 49,. NOV. 18th. 1906
way


MIR Lester is Drysdale's counsel"
explained my companion Between us
were going to see that he's cleared OF
this ridiculous charge"
yes, hope you win Sit down,
won't you? Ridiculous. that's the word
for it. and yet" he added. passing his
hand before his eyes in a dazed way.
there are SO many points Of evidence
which seem 'unexplainabie that I've
grown giddy thinking about them. It's
such terrible thing my wife is quite
Frustrated. even little delirious cf
times; her sister Is almost m; we've all
been terribly upset"
mo doubt" nodded Godfrey. his
face curiously intent We're not go
ing TO trouble you much now, Mr.. Del
roy. The only thing j should like You
TO de is 10 give us an account of all
that happened that evening hope
you will do that"
ayes. I'll be glad to do that" And he
proceeded to tell in detail the story the
reader already knows.
There's one thing" said Godfrey
when il was ended. "Is il true that
Miss Croydon seemed to believe Drys-
dale guiltyy'
Yes" answered DelrOy. "for an in
slant she did. but she explained to me
afterward that she thought It was Ire
maine who had been killed"
Godfrey's eyes blazed with sudden
interest.
'Tremainel Then there's been III
feeling between themg
yes, at least on Drysdale's part.
He'd conceived some absurd suspicion
of Tremaine. told me I'd done wrong
in inviting him here, acted rather mas
thy about Il. In fact"
Thank YOU" said Godfrey quietly.
though his eyes were stlll shining
Now I should like your permission 10
look over the grounds and 10 examine
the rooms which Drysdaie aud Ire
maine occupied"
Certainly" And Delroy touched the !
bell Thomas" he said 10 the servant
who entered. you VIII yaAe these gen
uemen wherever they wish 10 go and |
answer any questions they may ask !
you"
We went first TO the boathouse and |
pier and looked over the scene OF the |
tragedy. / was struck at once by the ]
change In Godfrey's demeanor. He no |
longer seemed either perplexed or wor. |
rled. HIS face was shining with tri-
umph Evidently ne had discovered .
way out OF the labyrinth.
To the bOathouse he gave particu- |
larry careful scrutiny. searching in ev-
cry corner. apparently Tor some mi |
mute object which he failed 20 find /
out on the pier again he stood. looking |
up and down with thoughtful face.
"Pshaww he said suddenly. Il
might have known l was just wasting /
my time in there. Come this way, Les |
ter"
He hurried back through the boat
house and down 20 the beach Along |
the edge OF Ii he walked, scrutlnlzing |
every inch OF the sand. Suddenly he /
stopped. with a little cry OF triumph.
and caught up small bottle 1t was
quite empty. He removed the cork,
suited IL and replaced il quickly.
do you mean 10 say. Godfrey" de-
manded in establishment. that you /
have been looking for that bottleg"
ITS precisely what I've been look
ing for" he returned exultantly. And
I've learned one thing-never to mis-
trust logical deduction Now let's
40 back TO the house. And. Thomas"
he added TO our guide. take us back
by the way that will bring us opposite
the room occupied 10y Mr.. TremaIne
'All right, sir" said Thomas. Ills
room was right next TO Mr. Drysdale'S
in III east wing-there II is now. sir
tn third and fourth windows from IL
end"
And the fifth and sixth windows be
long TO Mr.. Drysdale's roomY
''Yes. sir"
sort OF balcony ran along the en-
tire wing just beneath the windows.
half covered with creeping vines.
which in summer no doubt completely
draped IT, Godfrey examined il with
shining eyes. Then he walked straight
to the end OF the building.
"Now, Lester" he said, ''I'm going
TO make n prediction. predict that
Wen find the wall at the corner fresh
~ scratched in more than one place.
All. now. see therer'
The marks were plain enough, and
the cluster Of heavy vines which ran
mp here against the house also showed
signs of abrasion.
What would you say those marks
meant Lester" Godfrey asked.
II should say" l answered, readily
enough, that some one had recently
climbed up to the balcony or down
from IT,"
Both ways, Lester; both up and
down. oh, this is much simpler than
I'd expected. Now take as up 10 the
rooms, Thomas"
But in the vcstibule lie paused.
lis that the rack where the coats
hang ThomasT" he asked.
Yes. sir
And where Mr. Drysdale hung his
coat that nightE'
Yes, sir"
did YOU happen TO notice, Thomas,
when he came In whether or not the
top button OF his raincoat was miss
ngs"
Eyes. sir" answered Thomas slowly. |