The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-30
A Storyin WhichItIS Sh0wn
That CircunlStantiaLEpi-
dence Is Often a Very
Poor Basis on Which to
Hang a Murder Theory

n
of the great folding doors between the
two rooms. she thrust her head into
the spectral gloom beyond and again
called Mrs. Wortlcy." And still there
was no movement or sound in re-
Spouse. Suddenly she began TO shin.
why. that's chloroform," the boy
behind heard ner exclaim in a startled
whisper
He crept forward a vague sense Of
something strange impeiling him, and
with eyes younger than those OF the
woman searched the dim interior over
her shoulder.
kinder topsy-turvey, amt it2'' ne
commented under his breath.
She did not resent his presence star
ing there into her mistress bedroom.
on the contrary. she flung her hand
with a quick, backward movement on
his arm, as f. 90 reassure herself that
she was not alone. Then she went in
swiftly paused and with a sudden low
cry threw herself down upon the bed.
clasping IN her arms the SIN form that
lay there.
The boy gazed a moment with wide
eyes, taking in the Significance Of
the scene. Then he Withdrew. set the
spring lock on the front door. and
at the top Of his speed splashed and
houndered through the drifts to the
police station a block away.
The woman still lay in speeches.
grief on the body Of her mistress when
the officers arrived. and they found
considerable difficulty In removing
her. 50 that an examination OF the
corpse could be made. Finally they
succeeded In placing her In an easy
chair. where she sat with every sign
OF despairing sorrow on her wrinkled
face, and without appearing to take
any interest IN what was going on an
swered alphabetically such questions
as were put TO her.
AS soon as the shades were raiNed,
letting daylight into the room. the
first thing the officers noticed was
that the dead woman was bound. and
IN a most curious manner. Instead
OF being dashed together with cords
the limbs were carried, each wrist and
each ankle to its side OF the bedstead.
and there tied firmly with strips torn
from the upper sheets. the remains
OF which hung over the foot rail with
the other bedclOthinE.
THAT Is what I call queer" whis-
pered one OF the policemen to the 9TH
or, who nodded. staring The ambu-
lance surgeon came hurrying in at
the moment. and the three stood gaz-
ing an instant without a word at the
singular spectacle.
The body was that Of a beautiful
woman Of thirty. Of the pronounced
brunette type. with full lips. great
black eyes. wide and glazed now. the
form Of a sylph, and a wealth OF lus-
trous black hair that lay tumbled over
the pillows. The skilled glance OF the
physician. however. Immediately de-
tected signs Of dissipation In the love
ly face. He saw, too. that one OF the
eyebrows was scorched as with recent
fire, and that the forehead and left
cheek were marked with slight burns,
which must have been inflicted within
a few hours. An eight ounce bottle
containing a little chloroform lay
without a stopper on the bed by her
side. its neck raised on the pillow
Beats me-" whispered one Of the
policemen.
1T looks like asphyxlsuon by.
chloroform." said the physician But
wen see about that later. She's gone,
anyway"
The officers then began a search OF
the premises.
The upper drawer OF the bureau had
been pulled out. ransacked. and
thrown on the floor, the jewel boxes
on the dressing case were empty. an
oil painting had been cut ont OF It's
frame. and The gold watch which. the
woman said, always hung on the bed
post at night, was missing. This
seemed 20 be the extent Of the prop
erty loss. though there was a great
roll OF bank bills in the second drawer
Of the bureau. which had not been
opened, apparently. a closet was half
filled with beautiful and costly gold
and silver ware. a clock covered with
Jewels, small enough for easy re-
moval. still licked on the mantel. and
the two rooms were crowded to pro-
fusion with all sorts Of elegant and
expensive nick-naclys. The officers
were comparing notes on this unex-
pected state OF affairs when a SUR
9rised exclamation from the physi-
clan. who was bending over the bOdy.
brought them hastily to his side.
See there!" he said. pointing to the
bonds where they we're fastened to the
bed.
The policemen scanned them inter-
cstcdly.
They're surgeons knots" the doc
tor said: THE kind a surgeon ties.
No common burglar ara this job
The officers looked at each other
quickly.
There's amt winder or door ON
this floor. said one. That amt locked.
except the way we come in. And the
milk feller says that was locked. too.
and the woman cot the key to il out
OF this cupboard here. II looks queer.
Jack-this body lied In here alone and
everything locked up all snug"
1T SIRE does, Gale The housekeeper
says nobody lives here bat DR.. Wort
ley and his wife and her, and the milk
man swears there want no signs in
the snow of anybodys goin' out. Not
a track before his And Il showed All
night"
"Dr. Wortley!' exclaimed the physi-
clan.
you don't rnean-you can't mean
that this is the house of DR.. Brownau
Wortley-that this was his wife,
That's just what-" returned Catc
shaking his head as if he were sorry
for e.