Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-09-24
CHAPTER V.

s matter of course, tho affair TAI at the Marathon created Q
 6571s| great public sensation. The
 0 papers overnowed with de- tnils, theories, suggestions to the police, letters from interested readers.
 It has long been Q habit of mine. when any particularly absruse crim. inal mystery is before the public, to pin my faith to the Record. Its other fea lures do not admire, but knew that Jim Godfrey was its expert in crime, and ever since my encounter with him in the Holladay case have entertain. cd the livellest admiration of his acu- men and audacity. If mystery was possible of solution, I believed that he would solve 1t, so 1t was to the Record I turned now and read carefully every word he wrote about the tragedy.
 I was sitting in my room on the evening of the second day after the affair, smoking a postprandial pipe and reading the Records stenographic report of the coroner's inquest, when there came a knock at my door and my landlady entered. She held in her hand a paper which had a formidable legal appearance.
 Have you found another apartment yet, MT. LesterY she asked.
 "No, I haven't, Mrs. Fitch," said. "I'm afraid I've not been as diligent in looking for one as should have been."
 "Well, I've just got another notice," and she sighed wearily. They're going to begin tearing down the house day after tomorrow. I can't find another house, so I'm going to put my furniture in storage. I've told the men to come for it tomorrow" ...a
 "All right" I said. If I can't find an apartment to suit, I'll put my stuff in storage, too, and stay at hotel for awhile. I'll know by tomorrow noon, Mrs. Fitch" -....
 I settled back in my chair and took up my paper again, when a sudden thought brought me bolt upright. Here was an apartment, two rooms and bath, just what wanted, empty-and, more. over, so situated that I should be ad. mirably placed for close at hand study of the tragedy. glanced at my watch. It was only half past z, and I hurried into my coat In a sudden fever of i'm. patience lest some one else should get there before me.
 Twenty minutes walk brought me to the Marathon apartment house, and as I stepped into the vestibule saw sit ting by the elevator red faced man whom I recognized instantly as Hig gins, the janitor. He rose as I ap preached him.
 "You have an apartment here to rent, haven't youy' I asked
 Not jest now. sir," he answered. There will be next week-if tn walk. in delegates leaves us alone. You see, tn house is being remodeled."
 "Oh," I said, more disappointed than I cared to show. Il thought perhaps there was one I could m6re into at once. Next week won't do me any good" -.
 He moistened his lips and scratched his head, eying me undecidedly.
 'May I ask your name, sir?'' he said at last.
 handed him a card which had also the address of my firm, Graham & Royce. He read.it slowly. .-.
 "We've got one apartment, sir," he said, looking up when he had mastered it; two rooms an bath-but 1t needs a little cleanin' up. When do y have t have it?"
 q have to move in tomorrow" an- swered, and l told him briefly why. ''NIay I look at this apartment?"
 He hesitated yet moment, then up with sudden resolu- ton.
 "You kin see it if you want to. sir" he said, "but first I must tell you that It's soot fourteen, where they was a-a murder two days ago"
 "A murder!" I repeated. "Oh, yes; I did see something about it in the papers. well that doesn't make any difference: I'm not afraid of ghosts"
 "Then that's all right, sir," he said, with a sigh of relief. and motioned toward the elevator.
 The car stopped and he led the way down the hall.
 Here we are" he said, pausing be- fore door and producing bunch of keys. (Which reminds me that I'll