Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-02-05
The
Marathon Mystery
and by just that much he fell below
II Story Of Manhattan
By BURTON E. STEVENSON
Author Of .The Holiday Case"

perfectt0n. l thlnk he pr0DaDly aQ-
ministered the chloroform by pouring
1t upon one corner Of the sheet and
throwing it over young Graham's face.
No doubt the odor would have been
perceptible next morning had any one
thought to look for 1t. There was only
one point In the whole case," he added
thoughtfully, that was utterly at va
rance with my theory-and 1t worried
me badly for time"
What was thatT' I asked.
"That was the story the jailer told
us-that Miss Croydon believed Drys-
dale guilty. But you have seen how
naturally that was explained. knew
then, in that instant, that was on the
right track-that nothing could defeat
me. But let US 60 back to the begin
ning-and I'd like you to point out any
flaws you see in the story"
Every well. said and settled back
in the seat to listen.
"Tremaine had two very powerful
motives for the commission Of this
crime" began Godfrey. "He needed
money and could take no more from
Miss Croydon, since he was trying
seriously to win her affections. He was
determined to get Drysdale out Of the
way under circumstances as discred-
liable as possible, confident that in
that case he would himself win Miss
Croydon. Which," he added in
thoughtful aside, "from what you've
told me of him, I don't think at all i'm
possible"
Not in the least" agreed. II be-
lieve Tremaine could win any woman
he really set his heart on"
"At any rate, he learns Of Drysdale's
jealousy and Of Miss CroydOn's prom
ise to explain things. He sees that at
any hazard he must prevent that ex-
PLANTATION. Monday morning he comes
to town with Delroy, and the latter
tells him that he Intends giving the
necklace the salt water treatment
You'll remember ii was Tremaine who
originally proposed this, though he
could scarcely ut that time have fore
| seen what would come Of It,"
"Mere chance" nodded.
"Well, Trcmaine takes the early train
back to Edgemere ana lays his plans.
He writes the note
But you really haven't any evidence
that he did," objected.
For answer Godfrey took from his
pocket the blotter he had found In
Tremaine's room.
Il told you that these letters aren't
In Tremaine's hand" he said, but II
you'll compare them with the note
you'll see how nearly they resemble
Miss Croydon's. Again, they are only
capital BIS, Gs and Is, which are the
only capitals used in the note. That's
pretty gooi circumstantial evidence.
Tremaine Of course, burned the piece Of
paper lie practiced on, but he didn't
think to burn this blotter. 1t was only
the freshest line at the bottom Of the
paper that left these marks"
But did Tremaine have a sample of
Miss Croydon's writingT"
There's no reason to think he didn't
have, but If he didn't he could no
doubt have found plenty Of samples
among Drysdale's things. He's prob
ably an adept at forgery as well as at
most other branches Of crime"
"All right. Go ahead" l said.
"Tremaine writes the note and leaves
1t in Drysdale's room," continued Cod
frey. "Then he opens the trunk and
secures the revolver. Perhaps he knew
the revolver was there and perhaps he
didn't. II he hadn't found it he'd prob
ably have taken something else belong
ing to Drysdale for weapon.
Having secured the revolver, he re-
turns to his room by way Of the bal
cony. What passed in the early part
Of the evening you already know.
Drysdale goes to keep the rendezvous
ut the pergola, starting early, because
the house with Tremaine in 1t has be-
come undesirable to him. He stops for
chat with Graham, which the latter's
son overhears, and then goes on to the
pergola, which Is quite at the other end
of the grounds from the boathouse.
Meanwhile Tremalne has spent the
early part of the evening talking with
Delroy and Miss Croydon. At last he
goes to his room on the pretense OF
writing letters, gets the revolver. lets
himself down by the vine and starts
for the pier. He enters the boathouse
softly, feels his way to the cot, whose |
position he has already seen, and care
fully administers the chlorofOrm. The
dose was no doubt nicely calculated,
and the boy would probably have
awakened naturally in few hours.
"That done, Tremaine walks boldly
out upon the pier. Old Graham sees
him, perhaps challenges him, but or
course allows him to approach as soon
as he recognizes him. They talk to-
gether for moment. Then Tremalne, |
swift Us lightning. knocks the other
down. Graham probably fell without
crying out. | fancy I can see Ire
maine pausing to make sure his victim
Is dead before he goes on to the end
of the pier to get the necklace"
I shivered. could see him, too, bend |
ing over in the darkness, with a hor-
rible calmness.
"That throwing of the pistol into the
boat, continued Godfrey, 'was one OF
those flashes of inspiration which come
to a man sometimes. 1t was superb!
It proves that our friend Is really an |
orti,t Not ono man In thousand
would have thought Of it. He must
have laughed with sheer satisfaction
when lie heard it clatter safely into
the boat"
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