Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-10-18

mast have hunted for IL or known IL
was there, because il was In the shadow
behind the radiator. 1t couldn't be
seen unless one looked for tive tried
it,"
Godfrey paused to consider.
Did you give these points TO Gold
berg he asked.
NO, / didn't him 1t would help
matters any: besides, | didn't want to
put Miss Croydon on her guard"
"Of course-though all this doesn't
actually implicate her"
No; but it shows she knows more
than she's told u.s." said Simmonds
doggedly. Il don't think she's been
square with us
Godfrey did not permit any trace of
his inward perturbation TO appear on
his countenance; nevertheless he was
seriously disturbed. He had hoped that
no one but himself would suspect Miss
Croydon's lack OF frankness. He felt
a certain irritation against her-she
should nave been more careful; she
should have foreseen that the clippings
would be traced to her. She was rely
ing too much on his f~orebearance. He
must 10 his best to control Simmonds.
We'll, perhaps she hasn't" he said
slowly, after a moment; but maybe
she's not much to blame for that, after
all. Anyway, we's got TO work at the
case from the other end. We've got to
identify Thompson first"
Yes" agreed Slmmonds; that's our
best hold. You'll let me now If you
find II anything"
"Of course" said Godfrey, rising, and
with a curt nod he went out and down
the steps TO the street.
At the office ne found two reports
awaiting him. one was from the men
no had Sant a1puo rbA HngkS-tbnV had
found no n who could identify the
photograph of Thompson. The other
was from Delaney, the head OF the Rec
ord's intelligence department. At ,
O'Clock hat morning, just before retir-
ing, Godfrey had 'phoned a message to
the office:
Delaney rant all the information
o~btainable concerning the history OF the
Croydon family. to which Mrs. Richard
Delroy and Grace Croydon belong"
This was the result:
'Gustave Croydon, notary and money
lender, No. II Rue d'Antin, Paris, re-
moved with his wife and young daugh-
ter about 1873 to Beckenham, just south
Of London, England. Why he removed
from France not known. Rue d'Antin
has been completely rebuilt within last
thirty years and only person there now
who remembers Croydon is an old no
ct lidlllCh II ublf, IN has III uAllCG at
the corner of Rue st. Augustin. He
has vague memory that Croydon left
France to avoid criminal prosecution of
some sort.
Croydon bought small country place
near Bohemian n lived there quiet
ly I'm semi-retirement Fortune appar-
emily not large. In 1891, mortgaged es-
tate for $4,000; mortgage paid in 1897.
Religion, Catholic. Excellent reputation
at Beckenham.
Eldest daughter, Edith. born in
France, August 20. 1874. Educated at
school there. but broke down from over
study n returned to Beckenham,
where she became interested In social
settlement work. There met Richard
Delroy. New York. who was making in
vestigation of London charities. Mar
ried him June 6, 1900, and went imme-
diately to New York.
only other child. OUNCE daughter
Grace, born at B~eckenham, May Il.
1880. Educated at home. NJ unusual
incidents I'm life, so far as known.
Croydon and wife died, typhoid fever.
1901. Delroys came to England, and,
after selling property and settling es-
tate took Grace home with them. Es-
tate. left wholly TO younger sister. paid
inheritance tax on 1900"
Godfrey read this through slowly.
dwelling upon II DIN by point,
The skeleton" he said to himself.
lis pretty plain-it lies concealed some
where behind Croydon's departure from
France. There must have been some
unusual reason for that--a reason more
serious, perhaps. than this threatened
prosecution-the clippings would tell
the story.
But is it worth while trying to dig
1t up? 1t wouldn't be a difficult thing
to do IL the newspapers handled il AT
the time; but / don't know" and he
stared u through his window with
drawn brows. IF it's buried again
believe I'll let II rest-for the present
anyway" and he whirled back to his
desk.
He wrote the story Of the days de-
velopments and turned it In.
We've been lucky" said the city
editor, with a gleeful smile, as he took
the copy. We've got photographs of
all the principals.
Have WEI"
"Yes-they cost $500. but they're
worth II. No other paper in town will
have EN-"
That's good said Godfrey, but It
was q half hearted commentator,
and he left the office in a frame OF
mind not wholly amiabfe. The meth
DDS of a popular newspaper are not al
ways above r~eproach.
THANK heaven" he added to him
self. his face clearing q little, there's
nothing in my story to implicate either
Miss Croydon or Mrs. Delroy-there's
no hint OF the skeletonl / took care of
that-which," he concluded. with a