Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-11-03
back his se,s control.

| You take the legs. I'll take the head"
They laid 6heir burden on the cot
which the son had occupied and stood
I for moment looking down at IT, The
1 boy seemed on the verge of collapse.
His lips were drawn. his teeth chatter
/ ing. The horrible sobbing did not stop.
Delroy turned to him sharply.
William" he said. Il want you to
/ show yourself q man. \ good deal de
/ ponds on you. Remember that-re-
member, too. that with your help
We're going 10 catch the scOundrei
who DID this"
The boy Strengthened up with q
grOau OF agony.
Now, go up 20 the house and rouse
| Thomas but don't alarm any one else.
/ Get him To telephone at once 20 Baby
1 Ion for Or Wise and FOR the coroner.
aud tell them both 20 get out here as
quickly as they can. Do you under
standT'
YES. sir" answered Graham. and
disappeared IN the outer darkness.
For some moments the two men
stood looking down at 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 Tremainc. "the muir
derer struck boldly from the front. lie
didn't thinks it necessary to steal up
behind"
"But why didn't Graham defend
himself2 lie was armed. why did he
let him get SO neart"
There's only one possible EXPLAIN
ton OF that" said Tremaiue dryly.
'supposiug. Of course that Graham
didn't fal; asleep. He knew the man
and Thought him "a friend Perhaps
they We're even talking together at the
time the blow was struck"
Delroy's face turned uvid. and great
beads OF sweat broke out across bis
forehead
Presently there came the sound Of
footsteps on the walk. the door opened.
aud young Graham and Thomas came
in.
"Dr. Wise promised Z come at
once. sir" said tho latter 90 Dclrov. his
voice dropped nsuucuvcly 20 a whis-
per. "lIe said he'd bring tho coroner
with him"
Deiroy nodded without looking up.
Ton. twenty. thirty minutes passed
thirty centuries during which no one
spoke. Then they heard the swift clat-
ter of horses hoocs the whir OF
wheels. and s buggy pulled up before
The door Thomas had il open on the
instant and the two men walked In.
What Us it Dclroyf' asked one OF
them. Nothing serious. I-ahr' he
added as his eyes rcll upon the cot
He went 90 &c quickly. the other FOL
lowing. touched the h.deous wounds.
looked into the eyes. felt the temples.
Hes dead" he said at last: "has
been dead two or three hours. I should
say. His skull is crushcd-falrly beat
en- in. It's your gardener. Graham.
isn't IT,"
yes" Dclroy answered.
The doctor stepped back.
II turn the case over 20 You. HeTel-
bower" he said. Its in your province
now. Mr.. Dcirov. this Is Mr. HeTel
bower che coroner"
Hcnelbowcr bowed lie was a little
stout man. baldhcadcd and with wide
Nl'NN N'A.t. f" NANNN NANNf-.A NANN Il MOIN -
Primarily Dee was q saloon kccncr. but
had been elected coroner as a reward
for his valuable services 10 his party
lie possessed "a certain native shrcwd.
ness which fitted him 20 some extent
Tor the Office; also a lack Of nerves and
familiarity with crime which might
often Doe OF service
Il presume" hc began slowly. eat
It's man wasn't Killed here in his bedf"
"No." said Delroy. 1--WE found him ~.
ing ont on the pier yonder. We
thought it only common humanity 20
bring him in since there might have
been a spark Of life left"
"Oh OF course" agreed the coroner
Instantly. visibiy impressed 10y Del
roy's presence. Tat was right Who
found te body?"
His son. there" and Dclroy indi-
Gated young Graham by a gesture.
III tell everything I know. sir"
said William, coming forward eagerly.
Il went up = th' house about . o'clock
and brought this cot down. mtendln' {
turn in here an relieve father at mid.
night. Father was settn' out there on
tn pier a-smokin' his pipe when
turned in ! went L sleep almost as
soon as / touched IN plIler / don't
know how long it was. but after awhile
l kind O. woke up an heard voices
a-talkin' out there on tn pier. got
up an looked out tn winder an purity
soon | saw it was Mr.. Drysdale with
father"
"Drysdale2 Who's hep asked the
coroner.
Hes friend OF mine" spoke up
Delroy quickly, IAN old friend. He's
staying here at the house with US. In
fact, he's TO marry my wife's sister"
The coroner bowed
Very we'll" ne said. turning back 20
Graham. you may continue"
We'll" went on the young fellow.
las soon as saw II was Mr.. Drysdale
l knowed II was ali right. so l went
back to bed ag'in An / didn't know
MT I'M 4