The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-08-26


The police authorities pronounced IT
~opoplexy and then turned TO the next
sensation.
Facts seemed to Justify this assump-
ton, In which the Coroner concurred.
Edwin Lanshaw was ripe OF years. full
OF habit and irascible Of temperament.
An impatient pull on the old fashioned
stock which he was adjusting must have
been Just the force necessary to precipitate
the stroke which sent him .senselees and
dying to the floor Of his dressing room
In front Of the mirror where his body was
found.
The atmosphere, too lacked oriminality.
The Lanshaws we're nice people; o family
of four, father, mother, son and daughter,
living in dignifed retirement on adequate
means. The keenest suspicion would
despair Of scenting motive amid such q
peaceful and cultivated environment.
Beddes, the next sensation was imminent
and multiform. There was a strike In
town, attended by disorder and bloodshed.
Why should the authorities look for pos
sible trouble when 50 much real trouble
was pom them2 .. g.,
Why should they stop to consider hat
the safest time for the commission OF a
crime is during public excitement with
which that crime has no connecticut; when
action, not contemplation, was demanded
of them? Abe Cronkite, however, deemed
this dictum Of sufficient importance to
PROFOUND it, when Judge Marcellus sug-
gested that he should go up to the Lam
shaw Homestead and look around. '~'
The Judge was just back from his Vaca-
ton, and in his satchel was q letter he hi d
received from bis old client, warning him,
though without stating why, that he adj
pretended a violent death. =" ''1"
BE frank with them, Cronkite.' said the
Judge. Il knox them al,sq we'll and like
them all 60 impech fhat 1scannot 'HsHi the
slight OF concealment or diseuise.'N
So Cronkite sta ted his business frankly
TO Frank Lansha# In the library at the
old home. The young mans worried face
showed a shade OF relief.
x should be glad to have the benefit Of
your aid he said, even without Judge
Marcellus's ample justification for sending
you. My fathers estate has suffered a
serious loss. My father was. o must
know, an old fashioned man, with old fash
ioned ideas, which he exemplified In his
dress, habits and living. he had an old
fashioned distrust Of banks. and invariably
carried with him q large sum Of money,
SO, 600 in fact, in order to be prepared for
the panic which he constantly expected.
That sum Is missing ,.
Ten thousand dollars on his persona
cried Cronkite surprisedly; and then, re-
penting the impulse, -Who know Of this
habit" he asked.
Il am satisfied he never told any one
besides myself Frank replied. my
mother is an invalid, and he wouldn't give
her such cause for worry. As for my sister,
Margaret, be never talked business with
her. And he had no oonhdants outside
his family 49,.
Then the invitable conclusion is-'
Again Cronkite spoke impulsively. Again,
shamefaoedly, he obeyed tho second hough
and said instead, your father was dress
ing himself just before he diedf' '
"Yes; in his own room on the second
story. He was particular about his neck
wear. following the same style, and indeed
using the same voluminous ties his father,
who had been q great beau, had ueed. 1t
Is really a wonderful sight to see tbs hum
dreds OF silk scarfs he had, yards In length
OF heavy rich fabrics and patterns un-
dreamed Of in these days. He was adjust
lnQ SuCu u On6, NlLOluB touLu II ouiiN
his throat, when be died. He had the ends
In his hands when we found him o..
May ! see that particular scarf?' ."
At this juncture the library door partly
opened, and Q pretty face appeared.
Frank, dear, will you said a Gym
pathetic voice, adding disappointedly, 'Oh.
! thought you were alone"
Then the pretty face disappeared and the
door closed.
THAT Is my sisters schoolmate and
friend, Ruth Angell,' Frank explained. Il
Am engaged to her. -.
Il hope 1 didn't brighten her away said
the detective absently.
.she won't 20 far rejoined the young
man proudly, and now, II you will excuse
me for q moment, 1 will fetch my fathers
scarf" '
Cronkite examined the heavy silk, a black
brocade shot with yellow, with his glass
under the droplight. DO
"Ah, yes" he asked in that same spiritless
way, you say this belonged to your grand
father?"
yes, to my fathers father, Ralph Lam
shaw. There Is his picture, yonder: thai full
length, In the dress coat with brass hut
tons. You see he Is wearing this identical
scarf
-And when did he die. pray2'
August 2. 1885,
Cronkite laid down the scarf; with q
sorrowful shake Of the head. ~ e.
1T couldn't very well be- he said depre-
catingly. 1T Is machine stitched, and the
sewing machine had not been invented
then" N'.i ' be-.
-. . - ' -'~ nF
. 20 .LT e. r . - ff.Hf ..I. 70 ..
sWait,' added the detective, with re-
straining hand. Let US have our facts
straight before we attempt to make de-
auctions. This SUM your father carried
with him, SIC, O0o-did you ever. see it2'
Il saw the envelope containing it,
answered Frank, rHe had it between the
sides OF his pocket case. It Is there now.
only 1t 70 empty .,.c. ~ . .r7 b
Would you mind showing 1t to me2'
At this juncture there was a thunderous
rapping on the door. a,
What Is the matter with you. Frank;
are you dead or ~sleepingi' demanded q
masculine voice. A bearded face was