Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-15

were given over to account of the affair.
Before he sat himself down to read stead
lily through, Ravenspur glanced at the last
paragraph, to find that the preliminary in
quiry had been adjourned for week. Most
Of the flord sensational paragraphs con-
tanned nothing new. The only point that in
terested the reader was the medical evil
denCe.
This was compact and to the point. Death
had been undoubtedly due to a stab over
the heart which had been inflicted by some
long, pointed instrument, not much thicker,
apparently. than a needle. So far as the
police doctor could say, the weapon used
had been an Italian stiletto. There was
practically no blood Indeed. the whole
thing had been accomplished in a cool and
deliberate manner by a man who not
only master of his art. but who must have
! possessed considerable knowledge of anat-
| omy. Evidently he had chosen a spot to In
| nict the wound with careful deliberaton,
| for the deviation of half an inch either way
might have produced comparatively HARM
less results. 1t was the opinion of the doc
tor that, had the fatal thrust been made
through the bare skin, all trace of 1t might
have been overlooked. 1t only the
adherence of the dead mans Singlet to the
tiny puncture that had caused sufficient in
Illumination to attach suspicion to the point
of impact. All this pointed to the fact that
the crime had been clearly premeditated
and carried out coldly and deliberately.
For the moment however, the great puz-
Zle was TO discovered how the murderer had
been aware that he would be in position
10 find his victim at Fitzjohn Square 1t was
proved cOnclusively enough that Louis Della
hay had come back to England on the spur
of the moment and that equally on the
spur of the moment he had made up his
mind to visit his house. and, therefore, no
body could possibly have known besides his
wife when he had left the Grand Hotel.
On this point public curiosity would have
to wait. seeing that Mrs. Delahay was in
no condition to explain. In fact, she was In
the hands of a medical man who had pre-
bod ohGnl 70 or fnr
Ravenspur tossed the paper impatiently
aside, and rang for his tea. The slow day
dragged along until it was time for him to
dress and prepare for the reception of his
guests He came down presently to the
drawing room. where one or two of the men
had already assembled. His old pleasant
smile was on his face now. He was once
more the polished courtly man OF the
world He steeled himself for what he
knew was coming. Practically the whole of
his guests were artists of distinction. And
the death of Louis Delahay would be the
one topic of conversation. The blinds were
down now, for the young spring night had
drawn in rapidly and it was perfectly dark
outside. The clock struck the hour of
eight, and the butler glanced in inquiringly.
Ravenspur shook his head.
Not quite yet Simmonds," he said; I'VE
are waiting for Sir James Seton AS he is
usually the soul of punctuality he Is not
likely to detain US"
You can take his place if necessary" one
of the guests laughed. When 1 see Seton
and our host together l always feel quite
bewildered. Two such public men had no
business to be so absurdly alike"
There Is no real resemblance" Raven
spur laughed, though people are constantly
making absurd mistakes. 1t is excusable to
| mistake one for the other In the dark but
not in the daylight. Besides. Seton is
much taller man than / am, and much
Simmer. We should hear nothing about his
likeness but for certain gentlemen of the
press who make ter living out of little
paragraphs.
Well. they have got plenty to occupy
their attention now" another guest re-
| marked. This business of poor Delahay's
Is likely to give them occupation for some
time. Tell us all about it. Ravenspur l
hear that you were down at Fitzjohn
Square this morning. Is there anything
fresh?"
Ravenspur groaned in his spirit All the
same. his manner was polished and easy
as he turned to the speaker. But before he
had time to give any details there was a
sound Of excited voices in the hall outside.
the banging of a door or two, and then a
tall. elderly man staggered into the room