Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-12-19
THE MARATH HON MYSTERY
A STORY OF MANHATTAN.
BY BURTON e. STEVENSON
Author Of "The Holiday Case" Cadets of Gascony," Etc.

~ SiCI MtHN III ~ NAiS hS.NS HVcAs
Delroy knocked.
Who's there qu.ried Drysdale's
voice.
open up. Jack" called Delroy.
We've got to see You on some rather
important business
important business" Drysdale re-
peated, inc they heard him cross the
room. Then the door was flung open.
Come in-why. what the deuce is all
this about, Dickie?"
Come in and shut the door. Jack
replied Delroy quietly. This gentle
man Is Coroner H~effelbower. OF Baby
lon. He wishes to ask you a few
questions"
Drysdale answered with a stare of
anazement. but he stood aside and
let them pass into the room.
why. what's all this. jack" asked
Delroy. looking about at the disorder.
Drysdale closed the door and .urned
toward him rather sheeplshly.
Fact Is. l was packing. Dickie," he
said. I've got To go back to New
York today. to look after some invest
ments. I'd like to stay. old man. but
| really can't
Something in the faces OF his audi
tors stopped him, and he changed
color.
What do you fellows want, any
way?" he demanded hotly.
SIT down. Mr.. Drysdale.' said the
coroner solemnly, himself taking a
chair. Our business ma take some
little time. You own q revolver, J be-
lieve."
Yes" said Jack. "a Smith & Wes-
SON.. l was just looking for 1t. When
! opened my trunk just now. L missed
How long has it been since you saw
Il can't say-two or three days, per-
haps."
You kept 1T in your trunk"
Yes"
And the trunk was lockedo"
"Yes-that is. generally"
Was 1t locked last night?"
"Yes-that is, ! don't know-Im not
certain. Why?"
Did you have Your revolver last
night"
No: ! haven't seen it for a day or
two, l tell you"
coroner. producing the weapon
Drysdale took it and locke at it
with al air OF establishment.
Why. yes" he said. where did
you get it?"
And ISIS It's your r%aincoatc"
"Yes-but what"
You Wore 1t when you went out
last night?"
"Yes-but I insist"
mir. Drysdale.'' asked the coroner
sternly. for what purpose did you go
out last night. and where did you go?"
Drysdale sprang to his feet. his face
red with anger.
why. you Internal busy-body.' he |
cried. ITS non of your business"
Ten you refuse to answer?'
Il most certainly do. n l think you'd
better go back to Babylon"
Il shall go back In u time. Mr..
Drysdale." retorted the coroner in a
onn1 Nynfoa 1@1lfr- ,> NJ. .~,,J s.D-.
haps you have. as vet. not heard Of tie
murder committed here last night
of tie robbery which accompanied IT,"
Drysdale paled suddenly. his hands
were trembling
"Murder!" he repeated blankly. Rob
berry,"
Precisely. Graham tie gardener was
murdered last night and Mrs. Delroy's
pearl necklace stolen. You were tie
only person who left tie house. Your
revolver was found beside him. tbs
button. torn from your Goa was found
in his hand. / hope you will now per-
ceive tie wisdom of giving us n tetailed
account of YOU movements while. you
were away from tie house."
Drysdale had listened with a grow
ing pallor. When the coroner finished,
he was fairly livid. and he passed his
hand helplessly before his eyes. But
he did not speak.
ven asked H~enelbOWer impa-
tiently. after a moment.
DrySdale too down his hand and
steadied himself against the pack of
his chair.
Il ave nothing to say" he MUIR
INJURED hoarsely.
The coroner stared in astonish-
ment.
You don't cam
Il mean that I have nothing to say
rnnoQfod nRVcGooo this TINA fn ., aso,
err tone.
"Oh. come. Jack" burst out Delroy,
don't be SO obstinate. Tell US where
you were. OF course l know you didn't
murder Graham"
Thank you. Dickie.'' and Drysdale
iooked at him gratefully. II didn't do
1t; I'm ready to swear that by any oath
you please. But ! can't tell you or any
body where I was"
Don't let any little secret stand in
the way" protested Delroy. This isn't
the time"
II can't tell" repeated Drysdale
firmly.
do you persist in tat decision? p.
asked the sharply.
II certainly do"
"T'en." said Heffelbower. rising in
his turn. lin tie name Of tie law. I
shall hat to arrest you. Please finish
your dressing"
Very well," returned Drysdale COM
posedly. and set about his. toilet. while
Delroy watched him in a kind Of dazed
perplexity: It took but u few moments.
I'm ready" he said.
"Jack!" cried Delroy again, but the
other stopped him with a gesture.
Don't worry. Dickie." he said. II
didn't do 1t. They can't convict me.
I'm not in the least afraid"
H~effelbower took the key from the
door and transferred 1t to the outside.
"Ill hat to lock up tis room," he said.
ut will hat to be searched"
Delroy nodded his consent and the
little procession passed out into the
hall.
the swish Of skirts and Grace Croydon