The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-11-01

| perIecriy III eu5e, az le,,s. as ,lra,i,
SO as any woman Of her position could
be in such a place. Godfrey was
pleased to see Drysdale in close at
tendance, and lie nodded to him en-
couragingly.
Miss Croydon told her story clearly
and with an accent of sincerity there
was no doubling 1t differed in one
detail from the story she had told the
night before. Thompson. she said, had
perceived tho intruder, and there had
been a short, fierce struggle before
he fell under the blow of the pipe.
He was not unconscious, but was
struggling to his feet again when
his assailant shot HIN.
The coroner glanced at the Jury, but
none of then seemed disposed to ask
a2y questions. Then Goldberg made
Il sign to Simmoads He left the room,
but reappeared in moment, lead
in. in Jimmy the Dude.
Not until they We're 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
astonished to perceive the fascinated
gaze he bent upon Miss Croydon
Goldberg had perceived their agita-
ton, and the gaze he bent upon the
witness grew perceptibly more stern.
Miss Croydon he began, you
have described the guilty man as short
and heavy set with dark Elustache
turning UP at the ends. Look at the
prisoner before you. Is he the man?"
He is not" replied the witness in
firm voice and without an instant's
hesitation
You are sure:'
Perfectly sure; there is little or no
resemblance"
THAT is ALL he said abruptly.
You may go. Miss Croydon"
She passed from sight, tie door
closed. and Godfrey leaned back in his
chair to hear Jimmy tell smooth
story OF his doings the night before.
Magraw and half dozen others con-
firmed the tale; it was Il really good
alibi, carefully arranged; there was
nothing to disprove it, and at the end
the jury. without retiring. handed in
the usual verdict of death at the hands
of Il person unknown
When it 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. 81 want
to talk to you. We're up against a
tough proposition"
Godfrey sat down and looked at him.
"Have you gone through Thompsors
belongings:''
Here they are and Simmonds
brought out a canvas bag and opened
it. Look at them
Godfrey turned out the contents and
examined them piece by piece. 1t was
merely Il lot OF ordinary clothing, most
of it much the worse for Wear and all
of it strongly impregnated With the
odor CT tobacco.
ANYTHING in the pockets:' asked
Godfrey.
mot Il 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. now!'
Godfrey nodded With drawn brows.
'NThat's this:" lie asked suddenly.
holding up a swart object shaped like
clam she'll and halving in the same
way along the sharp edge.
II don't know. \ curio picked up at
sen somewhere. perhaps. ] have Il
theory that Thompson was a as TOR"
Why"
We'll. the bag. In the first place
only 4 sailor would carry his clothes
that way. Then put your head down
in it and under the tobacco You'll
smell the salt"
Godfrey shifted and nodded again.
Then he got out his knife.
Lets take Il look at the inside Of
NJ. ThoGpson's curio," he said. and
inserted the blade.
a twist and the sides unclosel. Sim
monds spraiig back With sharp cry of
surprise as he saw What lay within.
and even Godfreys heart gave sud
den leap.
For there. coiled thrice upon itself
lay little viper, With venomous. til
angular head.
Then in an instant Godfrey snsila-l.
ITS not alive" lie said. Don't You
see, it's some marvellous kind of nut"
Simmonds approached cautiously and
took another lock
"a nut" he repeated. ~ nut? We'll
that beats mel"
And well it might. fer in cye-y Go
tail the form was perfect Go9frey
looked at it musingly.
This may give Us II clew," he sail
II shouldn't Imagine nut like this
grows in many parts of tie wor,l
thoasa. of course. Il sailor ni@ht pix
it UP aaywilesa- srom aaoSior sailor
in :, &i1p shop. even here in New lor.s
y .'ha,s.'
lie closed tie sAel to=et,.cr a@ai,l