Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-12-07
CHAPTER VII.
A TIGHTENING COIL.

The horizon was grey with the COM
ing dawn, but il was still too dark on
the pier 70 see anything distinctly, so
they went slowly back together TO the
boathouse.
WAS tie necklace a valuable one?"
asked the coroner as he closed the
door.
1T was worth over hundred thou
sand dollars" answered Delroy. and
explained briefly the purpose of the i'm
mersion.
How mauy persons were aware of
your intention to put il IN tie water
out here" asked Hetfclbower when he
had finished.
Delroy hesitated.
so far as | know" he answered
SLOWLY at last only myself. my wife
her sister. Miss Croydon, Drysdale
Tremaine, and the two Grahams."
'Tremaine2' repeated the coroner.
II don't t'ink you have mentioned him.
oh, / forgc' to introduce you. This
is Mr.. Tremaine. Mr.. Hemeibower. "A
friend OF mine, who is staying with
me-"
The coroner bowed but he shot Ire
maine a sharp glance which did not
escape Delroys notice
You will understand Mr. HeffeI-
bower he added quickly. Il believe
the crime was committed by someone
else--Im sure none Of these could have
committed it,"
All" said the coroner blandly ten
tey were all in tie house, / suppose
Il can answer positively that my
wife, Miss Croydon, and Mr. Tremaine
We're in the house the entire evening"
And Mr.. Drysdale?"
"Drysdale went out for a walk
"A long one p"
"IIc was gone two or three hours"
Is he in te habit OF walking after
night?"
NO" answered Delroy slowly. Il
can't say that he is
Did YOU see him when he came i'm ,"
"Yes-I was looking out the window
at the storm"
Did he appear as usual"
Again Delroy hesitated
Il see, Of course" he said at last
what you are aiming at; but I'm sure
that Drysdale can explain his absence.
as well as everything that happened
during 1t. | therefore answer caudidly
that he did not appear as usual; he
seemed excited and depressed. He left
me in fit of anger and went to his
room"
Without explaining his action"
"Yes-he made no effort to explain
it,"
Did any explanation occur to you?'
Il thought perhaps he was worrying
over losses incurred in speculation"
"Ah!-he has incurred such losses,
ten?"
II do not know positively" said Del
roy a little impatiently. Il merely
suspect so"
"Iss MIR. Drysdale still in his room"
Yes, ! suppose so. | haven't seen
him silce he went up To it,"
Mr.. Tremaine was wit you at tc
time Mr.. Graham burst in and an
nounced tie murder?"
Yes we were in the hall talking to-
gether."
What time was it?"
Nearly one o'clock, / should say"
Tank you" and Heffelbower turned
back to make more detailed examin
alton of the body. Doctor Wise" he
asked after a moment, from which
direction should you say tese blows
were struck?"
From directly in front" answered
the doctor
But l see he has pistol in his
belt. Why did he not defend himself?
Why should he allow himself to be
beaten down?"
That question also occurred to me-"
observed Delroy MT Tremaine sug-
gested that it was because Graham
thought his murderer a friend and an
ticipated no assault SO he allowed him
to approach unchallanged and was
NhoiiS uilPi 'paiN W ApA AhC tA@hNhSAD"
attack"
The coroner looked at Tremaine
again with a glance i'm which suspicion
had changed to admiration
Tat iss, indeed, very probable eX-
planation," he said. In fact, | haven't (
tie least doubt il iss tie true one. Gra-
ham would not have allowed a strang
er to APPROACH him: but If he had come
ON, Graham would have prepared for
tie attack and would have given good
account of himself He seems very
powerful man."
As he spoke, he lifted one of the
muscular hands; then, with "A little ex-
clam9t tion of surprise, he bent and
examined il more closely.
Come nearer, gentlemen he said,
his face flushed with excitement. Il
want you to witness tat he has some
ting between his fingers"
They stopped and looked as he indi-
Gated. They could see that the hand
clasped tightly some small, dark OBJ
ject.
let us see what it is" Heflelbower
continued and bent back the stiffen-
ing fingers
The object fell out into his hand. He
held ii up I'm the Stare Of the light so
that all might see. II was a button
with little shred of cloth attached
IF we can find tie garment tat tbs
came FROM" said the coroner triumph
antly, turning It over and looking at