The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-10-17
CHAPTER I
a CHANGE OF LODGINGS.

A CHANGE OF LODGINGS.
AS q matter of course, the affair at
the Marathon created a great public
sensation. The papers overlooked with
details, theories, suggestions to the
police, letters from interested readers.
Many OF the latter were quite cer-
tain that they could quickly solve the
mystery, but unfortunately private
business demanded their whole atten-
ton; meanwhile, the stupidity OF the
reflective force was a disgrace to the
city; let the guilty parties be arrested
without further delay, whatever their
position. 1t was remarkable how few
accepted the simple theory which Sim
monds had propounded; all of them
chose to discern something deeper,
more intricate, more mysterious, and
Miss Croydon incurred much oblique
reference. This. for the most part, took
the form OF s~cathing, even hysterical
polemics against the degeneration Of
American society, the greatest peril
threatening the health and prosperity
Of the republic. At ii was with Rome,
so would II be with America; luxury,
sensuality, a mora code growing ever
more lax, could have only n re-
suit.
No doubt these vigorous correspon-
dents enjoyed themselves and imagined
that society quivered in CONSERVATION
under the castlgation. Certainly they
formed a source OF exquisite nus
ment to the readers or the papers.
1t has long been a habit Of mine,
when any particularly abstruse GRIM
inal mystery is before the public, to
pin my faith to the Record. It's other
features l DO not admire. but I knew
that Jim Godfrey was It's expert in
crime, and ever since my encounter
with him in the Holiday case, / have
entertained the liveliest admiration OF
his acumen and ~audacity. II a mystery
ryao Vnnoaihla ~ cNltrtfnf1 II haliaNnd that
he would solve II, so Ii was to the
Record / turned now, and read care
fully every word he wrote about the
tragedy.
1t is dificult for me to explain. wen
to myself. the interest with which I
have a fondness. more or less unreal
ICED, for the unique and mysterious,
and we all OF us revolt some times
against the commonplace Of every
day existence. We had been having
a protracted siege of unusually hard
work at the Office. and i was a little
run down in consequence: l felt that
I needed a tonic. a distraction, n
I found 1t in The Tragedy In Suite
Ia" as Godfrey a christened 1t.
I was sitting In my room on the
evening Of the second day after the
affair, smoking a post-prandial pipe
and reading the Records st~enographic
report OF the coroner's inquest when
there came a knock at my door and
my landlady entered. She held in her
hand a paner which had a formidable
legal appearance.
Have you found another apartment,
yet, MI. LESTER" she asked.
mo, / haven't, Mrs. Fitch" ! said.
I'm afraid I've not been as diligent
in looking for one as I should have
been"
We'll. I've just -~t another no.
tice," and she sighed YEARLY. They're
going to begin tearing down the house
day after tomorrow. 1 can't And an
other house, so I'm going to put my
furniture in storage. I've told the men
to come for 1t tomorrow"
"All right" l said. "Tf 1 can't find
an apartment to suit / will put my
stuff in storage, too, and stay at a
hotel for a while. I'll know by tomor-
row noon, Mrs. Fitch"
Very well. 1t does seem hard.
though" she added. pausing on the
threshold, that we should be he ones
to suffer, when there's so many other
blocks they might have taken"
Tho residents of any or the other
blocks would probably W. said the
same thing" I pointed out. After all.
I suppose this block was better than
the others, or 1t wouldn't have been
chosen"
She shifted specifically, n went on
| neT q 10 HOIlIy uGT llC NOu6Clb
of the imminent eviction.
We were martyrs to the march OF
public improvement. The block had
been condemned by h usual legal
process, and an armory was to be
erected OF the site. So there was moth
ing left for us to do but move. / had
hoped that Mrs. Fitch would find an
other house somewhere In the neigh
borhood and that l could stay with
her; now, it seemed, I must search
for other quarters, n at exceeding
ly short notice. To find comfortable
ones, conveniently situated, and at the
same time within reach of my modest
income would, l knew, be a problem
not easy Of solution.
/ settled back in my chair n took
up my paper again, when q sudden
thought brought me bolt upright. Here
was an apartment, two rooms and
bath, Just what I wanted, empty-and
moreover, so situated hat l should be
admirably placed for close-at-hand
study Of the tragedy. 1 glanced at
my watch-it was only half past sew
en-and I hurried into my coat in a
sudden fever of Impotence lest some
one should get there before me.
Twenty minutes walk brought me
to the Marathon apartment house. and
as 1 stepped into the vestibule / saw
sitting by the elevate a red faced
man whom / recognized instantly as
Higgins. the ~Janitor. He rose as I
approached him
You have an apartment here to
rent. haven't you?" / asked
Not jest now. sir" he answered.
There will be next week-if tn walk
in delegates leaves us alone. You
see, tn house is bein' remodeled."
oh" / said, more disappointed than
I cared to show, Il thought perhaps
there was one I could move into at
once. Next week won't do me any
good"
He moistened his lips m scratched
his head, cycling me undecidedly.
May I ask our name. sir?' he said.
at last.
l handed him a card, which had also
the address OF my firm, Graham e.
Royce. He read II slowly.
We've got one apartment. sir" he
said, looking up when he had MASTER
ed it.; "tw rooms an bath-but It
needs a little cleaning up. When do
y have t have it?"
II have to move in tomorrow" I
answered, and / told him briefly why.