Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-12-13
CHAPTER VIII.
THE HAND OF THE. LAW

looking down at the pistol In his hand
without speaking, but his face hardened
and grew stern, so far as lay in the
power of a c|ountenance so rubicund.
II t'ink / shall have to see Mr.. Drys-
dale before / go back to Babylon he
sald. but first let us try to account
for tie presence OF It's pistol in tat
boat"
How can 1t be accounted for?" de-
manded Delroy impatiently. Good
God! / tell you Jack Drysdale never
killed that man. Perhaps he was boat
ing yesterday-no, he was i'm New York
yesterday-well, Sunday, then, and a
the pistol with him and left 1t in the
boat by mistake. How else could 1t
have got there? The murderer wouldn't
"Nobody's used the boat, SIR said
William.
How do you know t'at?" asked the
coroner sharply.
Because, sir, I tied it T. the buoy,
an | know my knot, It's tn same
one i jest unfastened."
you mean that boat hasn't been
away from the buoy since you tied it
there?" asked Delroy.
Jest that. sir"
Then how did the revolver get in
Delroy and Heffelbower looked at
each other helplessly. Tremaine was
AOAiiiib eliiOlIleI ClSdIeIt anu the cor
oner, ~glancing at him, noted the mean
ing smile which passed across his lips.
Have you a t'eory. Mr.. Tremaine?"
he questioned respectfully. Il should
be fiery glad to hear it. if you AVE"
why, yes" answered Tremaine
SLOWLY, "a possible explanation occurs
TO me. However,, it's only a theory,
and SO may be worth nothing, but it
geems TO me after committing a crime
IKE that, the murderer would seek in
vtantiy to dispose of the weapon with
which it was committed. What better
hiding place could he ask than the wa
ters of the bay? He would hurl the
plstol Far out-only, by a strange chance
instead of falling into the water, 1t fell
into the o OF course. he added, in
another tone, Il fully agree with Mr..
DelFoy that Mr.. Drysdale could not
nave committed the crime. The pistol
no u passed from his possession
some unne ago. He can explain that.
Heffelbower nodded with open admir-
alton.
Yes" he said; "Ill ask him about
~. I'm sure your t'eory is the correct
one. Mr.. Tremaine. / present YOU NV
compliments. You yourself did not
ieave tie house yesterday EVENING""
Mr.. Delroy can tell you"
NO, answered Delroy, "Mr. Ire
did not cave the house yesterday
evening""
Nobody went out except Mr.. Drys-
uale. spoke up Thomas. II was in tn
vestlbule till nearly midnight. when
Mr.. Delroy told me to G. to bed"
You saw Mr.. Drysdale come in?"
yes, SIR; an l never saw anybody
so worked up an nervous-like."
DO you remember what outer gar
ment he wore?"
He wore his r~aincoat. sir; | helped
MIN on an of with it."
Where are tie raincoats kept?"
They usually hang on the rack In
IN vestibule, sir. That's Mr.. Drys-
dale's coat that Mr.. Delroy has on
Yes" said Delroy, looking down at
~ = dldnt notice; snatched it down
IN such a hurry
he stopped, staring down at the
coat, ms face suddenly livid.
The others followed his glance.
The top button of the coat was miss
ing. 1t had evidently been wrenched
away WITH violence, for the cloth was
Amid a silence strained. absolute.
The coroner took from his pocketbook
the button he had found in Graham's
Il believe Mr.. Drysdale will find it
difficult to explain tbs gentlemen" he
said, his face glowing more and more.
md he held against the place the out
ton he had found.
1t fitted II exactly; the button
the others on the coat; the
shred of cloth was OF the same color
and material as the remainder of the
garment. 1t was a proof there could
no disputing.
Heffelbower slowly replaced the but
ton in his pooketbook.
May / trouble you to take off tie
coat, Mr.. Delroy?" he said; and when
Delroy complied. he threw 1t over his
"T'ere's just one more question:"
he ADDED. = suppose Mr.. Drysdale's
financial condition ISIS good?"
why, yes" answered Delroy. 81
nave always so considered it."
There was a hesitation il his man.
which H~effelbower noticed.
You mean you do not so consider
L at It's moment? Don't try to shield
him. Mr.. Delroy. IF he ISIS innocent
he will have no difficulty in proving. IL:
II he ISIS guilty, he should be punished"
We'll, then" said Delroy. ith a
kind of desperate calm, I've already
told you that | heard ned been specu-
iatlng In steel. There was a crash,
Saturday, you know; but for how
much he was caught, or whether he
caught at all. l don't know. You'll
have 10 ask him about that"
Tank you for your frankness," said
the coroner. "Frankness never vet
hurt an innocent a | think tat ISIS
all we a do here. Let us 20 up to
te house and have a talk with Mr..
Drysdale."
They followed him in silence from
the boat house and up the broad
gravel path. Thomas opened the door
for them.
Shall ! have Drysdale called DOWN."
asked Delroy. as they stepped inside.
NO said the oroner. I'D prefer
TO see him in his room"
Very well" the other acouiesced,
and led he way through the still de-
serted hall and up the stair.
At the top. Tremaine turned to the
coroner.
IF you don't mind" he said. I'm
go on TO my oom I'm feeling pretty
well used up. My room is right here
next 10 Mr.. Dryydale's. IL you want
me-. you can cail me-
'Certainly. SIR agreed H%effelbower
instantly. And lei me tank You agalnl
for your fiery faiuable suggestions"
oh not az all" returned Tremaine,
aid entered his room.
Tho Others went on to the next door.
Dalroy Knocked.
who's there qucr.ed D~rysaaie,s
voice.
Open up, Jack. called Delroy.
"lvQ'yn rot 60 500 xou on Some rather