Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

who did this"
The boy Strengthened up with
groan of agony.
Nov, go up to the house and rouse
Thomss, but don't alarm any one else.
Get him to telephone at once to Baby
lon for DR.. Wise and for the coroner,
and tell them both to get out here as
quickly as they can. Do you under
standT'
Eyes, SIR" answered Graham, and
disappeared in the outer darkness.
For some moments the two men
stood looking down Mt the body with
out speaking. Then Delroy stopped
and touched lightly the bloody fore
head.
See" he said, "his head has been
beaten in"
YES" nodded Tremaine, "the muir
derer struck boldly from the front. He
didn't think it necessary to steal up
behind"
But why didn't Graham defend
himself? He was armed. Why did he
let him get so ncar?'
"There's only one possible explana-
ton of that" said Trcmaine dryly,
"supposing Of course, that Graham
didn't fall asleep. He knew the man
and thought him friend. Perhaps
they were even talking together at the
time the blow was struck"
Dclroy's face turned livid, and great
beads Of sweat broke out across his
forehead.
Presently there came the sound of
footsteps on the walk the door opened,
and young Graham and Thomas came
in.
Or Wise promised t. come at
once. SIR" said the latter to Delroy, his
voice dropped instinctively TO a whis-
per. Gle said he'd bring the coroner
with him."
Delroy nodded without looking up
Ten, twenty. thirty minutes passed.
thirty centuries during which no one
spoke. Then they heard the swift clat
ter of horses hoois, the whr of
wheels. and buggy pulled up before
the door. Thomas had it open on the
instant, and the two men walked in.
what is it, Deroy?' asked one OF
them. Nothing serious, I-ah." he
added as Lis eyes fell upon the cot
He went to it quickly. the other fol
lowing: touched the hidcous wounds
looked into the eyes, felt the temples.
Hes dead" lie said at last; has
been dead two or three hours, l should
say. His skull IL crushed--fairly beat
en- in. It's your gardener, Graham
isn't itI"
Yes" Delroy answered.
The doctor stepped back.
II turn tho case over to you, IIemol
bower" he said. ITS in your province
now. Mr.. Delroy, this is Mr. Heffcl
bower. the coroner"
4 Helfelbower bowed. lie was a little
stout man, bnldheaded and with wid
g open blue eyes that stared like dolls
{ Primarily he was a saloon keeper, bu
} had been elected coroner as a rewar'
for his valuable services to his party
: He possessed a certain native shrew('
1 ness which fitted him to some exten
$ for the Office; also 4 lack Of nerves an,
a familiarity with crime which Nigh
Z often be Of service.
e 81 presume" he began slowly, "t'a
It's man wasn't killed here in his bed?
1 "No," said Delroy, I'VE found him ly
e ing out on the pier yonder. w
thought 1t only common humanity t
t bring him in. since there might hav
t been spark Of life left
: ooh. OF course" agreed the coronc
! instantly. visbly impressed by De
!. rows presence "Tat was right. VIII
o found tie body?''
II "IIis son, there" and Delroy IND
t Gated young Graham by n gesture.
It "Ill tell everything | know, sir,
It said William. coming forward eagerl,
:, II went up t. tn house about 8 o'cloc
i and brought this cot down. intendin'
y turn in here an relieve father at mic
II night. Father was settin' out there o
tn pier a-smokin' his pipe when
g turned in. l went t sleep almost a
soon as l touched tn piller. l don
h know how long it was but after awhil
l kind O. woke up an heard voice
a a-tallin' out tnere on tn pier. | &c
G up an looked out tn wnder an purt
l. soon saw it was Mr.. Drysdale wit
father"
II "Drysdale? Who's he?" asked th
v coroner.
z Hes a friend of mine" spoke u
Il Delroy quickly. IAN old friend. He
d staying here ut the house with us. l
e fact he's to marry my wife's sister,"
The coroner bowed.
b" Every WELL" he said. turning back
Graham, 'you may continue
" "Wcll," went on the young fellow
"as soon rs saw 1t was Mr. nrysdnl
e l knowed it was all right, so | WEI
back to bed ag'in. An l didn't kno'
d nothn' more till great clap o. thundt
nearly took tn roof off tn house. Sc
d up In bed, but l couldn't seem t g
awake fer Il minute, my head We
whirlin' so. Then | gor on my fee
an looked out tn wnder an jest the
it lghtened ag'in an seen fatht
-, layin' there
He stopped with sob that shoe
n him through and through,
- THAT will do for tie present" sal
the coroner kindly. 1T seems rattle
- extraordinary, he added, turning I
Delroy, tat It's man should have S;