Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-12-11
CHAPTER V.

IA s matter of course the affair
lA at the Marathon created a
}EaassS great public sensation. The
EasE9 papers overflowed with de-
tails, theories, suggestions to the police,
letters from interested readers.
1t has long been habit Of mine,
when any particularly abstruse Grim
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 Holiday case have entertain
ed the liveliest admiration of his acu-
men and audacity. If mystery was
possible of solution, believed that he
would solve 1t, SO it was to the Record
I turned now and read carefully every
word he wrote about the tragedy.
was sitting in my room on the
evening of the second day after the
affair, smoking postprandial pipe
and reading the Records stenographic
report Of the coroner's inquest, when
there came knock at my door and my
landlady entered. She held in her hand
a paper which had formidable legal
appearance.
Have you found another apartment
yet, Mr.. Lester?" she asked.
mo, 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 YEARLY. 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 1t tomorrow"
"All right" I said. III 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"
settled back in my chair and took
up my paper again, when sudden
thought brought me bolt upright. Here
was an apartment, two rooms and BATH
just what wanted, empty-and. more
mirably placed for close at hand study
Of the tragedy. glanced at my watch.
1t was only half past 7, and hurried
into my coat in 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
1 stepped into the vestibule saw sit
ting by the elevator a red faced man
whom I recognized instantly as Hig-
gins, the janltor. He rose as ap-
preached him.
"You have an apartment here to
rent, haven't your asked.
mot jest now, SIR" he answered.
"There will be next week-if tn walk
in delegates leaves US alone. You
see, TIL house is being remodeled."
"Oh," 1 said, more disappointed than
cared to show, II thought perhaps
there was one / could move into at
once. Next week won't do me any
good"
| He moistened his lips and scratched
his head, eying me undecidedly.
II May ask your name, STRIP he said
at last.
I handed him card which had alse
the address Of my firm, Graham &
Royce He read 1t slowly.
We've got one apartment, sir" b
said, looking up when he had mastered
It; 1.-TWO rooms an bath-but it needs
a little cleanin' up. When do y have
t have it,"
II have to move in tomorrow" an
swered, and 1 told him briefly why
"May 1 look at this apartments"
He hesitated yet moment, the
Strengthened up with sudden resolu
ton.
"You kin see it If you want to, sir,
he said, "but first must tell you tina
it's SCOT fourteen, where they was a
murder two days ago"
"a murder" repeated. "Oh, YET
/ did see something about it in th
papers. Well, that doesn't make an
difference; I'm not afraid Of ghosts"
"Then that's all right, sir" he sait
with a sigh Of relief, and motione
toward the elevator.
The car stopped and he led the wa
down the hall.
Here we are" he said, pausing b.
fore door and producing bunch
keys. (Which reminds me that I