Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-12-14
THE MARATHON MYSTERY
A STORY OF MANHATTAN.
BY BURTON E. STEVENSON
Author Of Tho Holaday Case Cadets of Gaseony Etc

ll'''t 'iulc. lou own u ieN'iN'lf w
Yes" said Jack, "a smith & Wes-
son. ] was just looking for IT. When
| opened my trunk just now, | missed
How long has It been since you saw
Z can't say--two or three days, per-
haps."
You kept it in your trunk"
Yes
And the trunk was locked"
"Yes-that is, generally"
Was il locked last night"
"Yes-that is, / don't know--l'm not
certain. Why?"
Did YOU have your revolver last
night?"
mo. I haven't seen it for a day or
two, | tell YOU"
"Iss tbs your revolver" asked the
coroner producing the weapon.
Drysdale took it and looked at it
with an air OF astonishment.
Why, yes he said. Where did
you get it?"
And iss It's youc raincoat?"
"Yes-but what
You wore it when you went out
last night"
.'Yes-but insist"
sternly, for what purpose did YOU go
out last night, and where did you go?'
Drysdale sprang TO his feet, his face
red with anger
why, you Internal busy body" he
cried. IT'S none Of your business.
Ten you refuse to answer"
/ most certainly do, ana think you'd
better go back TO Babylon"
Il shall go back In due time, MIR.
Drysdale," retorted the coroner in
cool voice, holding up his hand. Per
haps you have as yet not heard OF tie
murder committed here last night and
Of tie robbery which accompanied IT."
Drysdale paled suddenly, his hands
We're trembling
Murder he repeated blankly Rob
berry"
Precisely Graham t'e gardener was
murdered last night and Mrs Delroys
pearl necklace stolen You We're te
only person who left tie house Your
revolver was found beside him T'is
button, torn from your coat was found
in his hand. | hope you viii now per-
ceive tie wisdom Of giving us tetailed
account Of your movements while you
We're away from tie house"
Drysdale had listened with a grow
ing pallor When the coroner finished,
he was fairly livid and he passed his
hand helplessly before his eyes But
he did not speak.
"Wel?" asked HeffeIbower impa-
tiently after a moment
Drysdale took down his han' and
steadied himself against the back of
his chair.
I have nothing to say" he muir
INJURED hoarsely
The coroner stared in astonish-
ment.
You don't mean"
Il mean that have nothing to say"
repeated Drysdale. this time in a firm
er tone.
"Oh, come, Jack" burst out Delroy.
don't be 50 obstinate. Tell us where
you We're. OF course l know you didn't
murder Graham
Thank you Dickie." and Drysdale
looked at him gratefully. II didn't do
it; I'm ready to swear tnat by any oath
you please. But 1 can't tell you or any
body where / was"
Don't let any little secret stand in
the way, protested Delroy This isn't
the time
Il can't tell. repeated Drysdale
firmly
do you persist in tat decision ?"
asked the coroner sharply.
II certainly do"
Ten" said Heffelbower, rising IN
his turn. 'in tie name OF tie law. l
shall haf to arrest you. Please finish
your dressing
Very we'll" returned Drysdale corn
posedly, and set about his toilet while
Delroy watched him in kind of dazed
perpleXity. 1t took but a few moments
I'm ready" he said
Jack" cried Delroy again but the
other stopped him with gesture
Don't worry, Dickie," he said. Il
didn't do it, They can't convict me-
I'm not in the least afraid"
Heffelbower took the key from the
door and transferred it to the outside.
IN haf to lock up It's room" he said.
1T will haf to be searched"
Delroy nodded his consent and the
little procession passed out into the
hall
Suddenly from the farther end came
the swish of skirts and Grace Croydon
appeared, radiant as the new day. She
paused in astonishment as she saw the
group then she came forward. Her
eyes went anxiously from face TO face.
What is it, Richard?" she asked.
What has happened?"
Delroy laughed a mirthless laugh.
Enough and TO spare" he answered.
They're arresting Jack, here, for muir
der"
For murder" she breathed, and
caught at the balustrade. "Oh, surely,
you're joking"
Jack seems to think it's joke" he
retorted bitterly.
"Oh, why did you kill him. she cried,
turning upon her lover. why did you
not wait"
xiii him!" echoed Delroy. But he
didn't Grace! How can you think such
a thing? He could clear himself by tell
ing where he was last night, and he
refuses to do it, Maybe he'll tell you.
She turned her searching eyes to her
lovers face.
Where were you last night, Jack?"
she asked. You'll tell me. won't you?'
Tell you?" he sneered. his eyes
blazing with savage anger. Where
was /? You ask me that?"
And with a gesture OF fierce con-
tempt, he went on down the stair