The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-12-12
CHAPTER VIII.
THE HAND OF THE LAW.

II t'ink i shall have TO see Mr.. Drys-
dale before 1 go back to Babylon he
said. But first let us try to account
for tie presence Of It's pistol in tai
How can 1t be accounted for?" de-
manded Delroy impatiently. Good
God! i tell you Jack Drysdale never
killed that a Perhaps he was boat
Ing yesterday-no,. he was in New York
yesterday-well, Sunday, then. and had
the pistol with him and left it in the
boat by mistake. How else could 1t
have got there? The murderer wouldn't
have put 1t there"
rNobody's used the boat, sir" said
William.
How do 0 know t'at?" asked the
coroner sharply.
Because. sir, I tied it t. the buoy,
an l know my knot. It's tn same
n I Jest unfastened."
You mean that boat hasn't been
away from the buoy since you tied It
there?" asked Delroy.
Test that, sir"
Then how did the revolver get in
itr"
Delroy and Heffelbower looked a.
zach other helplessly. Tremaine was
rolling another cigaret, and the cor
oner, glancing at him, noted the mean
ing smile which passed across his lips.
Have you a t'eory. Mr.. Tremaine? ?"
ne questioned respectfully. "I should
be fiery glad to hear it, iff you have"
Why, yes" answered Tremaine
slowly. "a possible explanation occurs
to me. However. It's only a theory,
n SO may be worth nothing, but 1t
seems to me after committing a crime
IKE that, the murderer would seek in
stantly to dispose of the weapon with
which IL was committed. What better
nloing place could he ask than the wa
ters OF the bay? He would hurl the
pistol far %out-only. by a strange chance
instead OF falling into the water, It fell
INTO the boat. OF course, he added, in
another tone, 81 fully agree with Mr..
Delroy that Mr.. Drysdale could not
have committed the crime. The pistol
no doubt passed from his possession
some time ago. He can explain that. :
Heneioower nodded with open admir-
Yes" he said; It'll ask him about
Y. I'm sure your t'eory is the correct
compliments. You yourself did not
leave re house yesterday evening"
MT. Deiroy can tell you"
NO., answered Delroy, "Mr. Ire
name did not leave the house yesterday
Nobody went out except Mr.. Drys-
dale" spoke up Thomas. II was in tn
yestibule till nearly midnight. when
Mr: Delroy told me to G. to bed"
You saw Mr.. Drysdale com. in?"
Yes, sir; an I never saw anybody
80 WORKED UP an nervous-like."
you remember what outer gar
ment he woreP"
He wore his raincoat. sir. r heIpad
him on an off with it,"
Mhere are tie raincoats kept?"
Ihey usually hang on the rack in
a Vestlbule, sir. That's Mr.. Drys-
nales coat that Mr.. Delroy has on
Yes" said Delroy. looking down at
In such a hurry"
He stopped, staring down at the
coat mis- face suddenly livid.
The others followed his glance.
n top button Of the coat was miss
Ing. It had evidently been wrenched
away WITH violence, for the cloth was
Amid a silence strained, absolute,
the coroner took from his pocketbook
hand,
Il believe Mr.. Drysdale will find it
difficult to explain tbs gentlemen" he
SAID, MS race glowing more and more,
p no held against lie place the but
ton he had found.
IL ntted 1t exactly; the button
matcned the others on the coat: the
shred OF cloth was of the same color
n material as the remainder of the
be no disputing.
Heffelbower slowly replaced the but
ton In his pocketbook.
May 1 trouble you to take of tie
coat, Mr.. Delroy?" he said; and when
Delroy complied, he threw it over his
arm. "T'ere's just one more question"
he added. Il suppose Mr.. Drysdale's
financial condition ISIS good?"
Why, yes" answered Delroy. "T
nave always so considered it."
There was q hesitation in his man.
ner which Heffelbower noticed.
You mean you do not so consider
it at tbs momentF Don't try to shield
he Will have no difficulty in proving it;
II he ISIS guilty, he should be punished"
Wen, then" said Delroy, with a
kind or desperate calm, i've already
told you that / heard he'd been specu-
tating In steel. There was a crash,
much he was caught, or whether he
was caught at all, l don't know. You'll
have to ask him about that"
you for your frankness," said
n coroner. "Frankness never yet
hurt an innocent man. 1 t'ink tat ISIS
&c house and have a talk with Mr..
Drysdale."
They followed him in silence from
n boat house and up the broad
gravel path. Thomas opened the door
for them.
"Shall I have Drysdale called DOWN."
asked Delroy, as they stepped inside.
NO" said the coroner. I'D prefer
to see him In his room"
Very WELL" the other acquiesced,
and led the way through the still de-
serted hall and up the stair.
AT the top, Tremaine turned to the
coroner.
III you don't mind" he said, 'Ill
go OF to my room. I'm feeling pretty
well used up. My room is right here
next to Mr.. D~rysdale's. II you want
me, you can call me-"
Certainly, sir" agreed HeIfelbower
instantly. And let me tank you again
for your ferry faluable suggestions"
ooh, not at ALL" returned Tremaine,
and entered his room.
The others went on to the next door.
Delroy knocked.
Who's there?" queried Drysdale's
voice.
open up. Jack" called Delroy.
We've got to see you on some rather
important business" -.
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