Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-05

IsszSl hearing presenting features
ySeezss Of morbid or sensational In
terest, and Goldberg, with an In
born love of the theatric, arranged
his witnesses so as to lead gradually
to the climax, the denouement. He
put the janitor ON the stand first and
then had Simmonds tell his story.
Some medical testimony followed as to
the exact nature Of Thompson's in
juries, and the bullet, which had been
extracted, was put in eyidence-it was
plainly much too large to have come
from Miss Croydon's pistol. Finally
Miss Croydon herself was called. A
little gasp Of delicious excitement ran
through the crowd as she appeared at
the door of the witness room. Here
was tidbit to touch the palates OF
even the jaded police reporters.
Godfrey, looking Mt her as she came
steadily forward to the stand, felt his
heart warm with admiration. She
seemed perfectly composed and, II not
perfectly at ease, at least as nearly
so as any woman Of her position could
be in such q place. Godfrey was
pleased to see I'rysdale in close at
tendance, and he nodded to him en-
couragingly.
Miss Croydon told her story clearly
and with an accent Of sincerity there
was no doubling. 1t differed In one
detail from the story she had told the
night before. Thompson, she said, had
perceived the intruder, and there had
been a short. fierce struggle before
he fell under the blow of the pipe.
He was not unconscious, but was
struggling to his feet again when
his assailant shot him.
The coroner glanced at the jury. but
none Of them seemed disposed to ask
any questions. Then Goldberg made
sign to Simmontls. He left the room,
but reappeared in moment, lead
ing in Jimmy the Dude.
Not until they were quite near did
Miss Croydon perceive them; then, as
her eyes met the prisoners, she half
started from her chair, her face like
marble. AS for Jimmy, Godfrey was
astonished to perceive the fascinated
gaze he bent upon Miss Croydon.
Goldberg had perceived their agita-
ton, and the gaze he bent upon the
witness grew percephbly more stern.
''Miss Croydon" he began. you
have described the guilty man as short
and heavy set with a dark mustache
turning up at the. ends. Look at the
prisoner before you. Is he the many'
HE is not" replied the witness In
a firm voice and without an instant's
hesitation.
"You are sure?"
Perfectly sure; there is little or no
resemblance"
.'That is all,'' he said abruptly.
'You may go. Miss Croydon"
She passed from sight, the door
closed, and Godfrey leaned back in his
chair to hear Jimmy tell smooth
story Of his doings the night before.
Magraw and half dozen others con-
i1rmed the tale; 1t was really good
alibi, carefully arranged; there was
nothing to disprove it, and at the end
the Jury, without retiring, handed In
the usual verdict Of death at the hands
Of person unknown.
When it was over Simmonds crooked
at Godfrey an inviting finger, and to-
gether they went down to the detec-
tive's private Office.
"Sit down." said Simmonds. II want
to talk to you. We're up against q
tough proposition"
Godfrey sat down and looked at him.
"Have you gone through Thompson's
belongings?"
"Here they are" and Simmonds
brought out canvas bag and opened
it. "Look at thenl."
Godfrey turned out the contents and
examined them piece by piece. It was
merely lot Of ordinary clothing, most
Of 1t much the worse for wear and all
Of it strongly inlpregnated with the
odor Of tobacco.
Anything in the pockets?" asked
Godfrey.
"Not thing except some loose smok-
ing tobacco. There's one thing about
the clothing, though-have you noticed
It's all summer clothing; see these
linen trousers, nov7?"
Godfrey nodded with drawn brows.
"What's this?" he asked suddenly
holding up swa1t object shaped like
a clam shell and halving in the same
way along the sharp edge.
II don't know. A curio picked up at
sea somewhere, perhaps. I have q
theory that Thompson was a sailor"
"Why?"
sswSl. the bag, In the first place
only sailor would carry his clothes
that way. Then put your head down
In it and under the tobacco you'll
smell the salt"
Godfrey shifted and nodded again.
Then he got out his knife.
Lets take q look at the inside OF
Mr.. Thompson's curio," he said, and
inserted the blade.
A twist and the sides Enclosed. Sim
monds sprang back with sharp cry OF
surprise as he saw what lay within,
and even Godfrey's heart gave a sud
den leap.
For there, coiled thrice upon itself.
lay a little viper. with venomous. TIL
angular head.
Then in an instant Godfrey smiled.
"Its not alive" he said. Don't you
see. It's some marvellous kind Of nut"