The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-16

AOfllsnufeUl- just At the
moment when he had set
lied down IN his chair for
a morning nap the door OF
the little office swung open with a
crash and a great hulk OF a man
staggered in, collapsing on the settee,
Tne inruder's hands we've pressed
to his sides. the breath whistled in
his throat his face burned a violent
red through a heavy dark beard. and,
leaning with one shoulder hunched
against and back OF the settee, head
hanging, mouth dropping, he presented
alarming signs Of physical exhaustion.
'Hi-hi there, Bnlr cried the chief,
recognizing him at once. What's tn
natter"
"Aia-matter, Ma-matter enough! It's
HuFder," sasped Bill,
What
The dreadful word scared the Of
fcer into activity as n II had been a
bodily danger. lie dsFted around the
railing which Enclosed his desk and
shook the big man. raising his chin
roughly and staring into his face,
Its old woman Snowman-and Ed.
too. Both or EN-, the man gasped.
recovering a little breath. Il run all
tn way"
The officer blinked his eyes rapidly,
as II trying his best TO concentrate
his faculties. 1t plainly was a diff
fcult task. Out of the chaos in his
mind only one thought. as being re-
lated TO familiar things. evalved Il
SELF. and he asked pertlnently:
why didn't We harness up and ride,
Bm?"
Harness up.' exclaimed Bill. why,
goshamitye, Hezeklah, ! didn't have
TO time. had t git here,'
II Bills notions OF time-saving on a
two-inlle Journey struck the chief as
peculiar, he gave no sign OF the fact.
Tho word harness had suggested the
first step in his mode OF procedure,
and In great excitement he rushed 20
the stable and hitched up his own rig
All of the four members OF his stan
were away on their beats, so that a
legitimate substitute 70 leave In charge
~ the police station was lacking. but
thnt was no obstacle 20 the chief. He
cried to his only prisoner,
vaETauJ. who could he seen behind
the bars IN an inner room; HI, you!
II snybuddy calls tell EN- I'm over Z
Old woman Snowman's," And the next
moment with the terminated Bill be
side him. he was rafting along the
dusty road into the country toward
Spuzzs hill Then, invigorated I'm
body and somewhat frightened IN mind
BY the sunlight and fresh air OF a
clear autumn morning he began 10
question his companion about the facts
Of the case as far as ne knew them
These were few, but-to the point. and.
Invested OF Bits peculiarities az mar
ration and speech. were as follows.
AIRS. Snowman. ar aged widow, who
was considered as wealthy as she was
misery. and her bachelor son, Ed
ward, lived in q little house on their
extensive farm on Spuzzs hill With
them stayed middle-aged woman,
SuEan. a distant connection. who
worked around the place for her board.
This woman. who was looked upon as
somewhat soft I'm the hend. and SEEM
ed OF a mild and colorless disposition,
had como running in her night gown
that morning at daybreak 10 the near
est neighbor. Mr. Henshaw. who
MAS the narrator's iather, and with
an appearance OF great fright declared
that AIRS Snowman and her son had
been murdered. She said that SIN
slept in the Same room with her mis-
tress, that hearing her scream sud
denly In the night she jumped up.
and seeing a big man striking her
with club as she lay IN bed, ron
rom the house and hid in the yard.
In about Eve minutes the door opened
ana two men came hurrying out and
went toward the woods One was n
very large man, the other rather
small That was all the description
she could give Of them. for, although
there WAS a candle burning i'm the
kitchen, whore the son slept. its rays
were dim, and when the two men came
QUO the morning was only just break
ing ana their features we're invisible
u her in tho uncertain light Not
daring TO venture back 90 the house
she had finally decided To arouse the
Henshaws. n quRrter Of q mile away.
BY the time the story was finished
NhFa fdu 'fifNfN Ni lNf scene OF the
tragedy Fight or ten neiEhbors were
already there and the chief, springing
n the ground made his way through
them with dlgnity and entered al the
DIOR. The case called for tactics en-
tirely new In his experience. He had
not the least notion 81 the proper
course 10 take, hut he was a man of
gre1t confidence or manner. and as ne
si0ad on the threshold surveying the
-r'lssorre spectacle he seemed 10 the
80 GER watchers 20 he perfect master OF
iho sitUetion. The lines Of wisdom
nj command IN his face were much
acre plainly marked than they are In
q ~ oountenances Of Alexander and
Tnrfar as thew have come down 10 us
IN models and statues Stepping in
nd closing the door behind him. he
aid 10 the elder Henshaw, a little old
-'in with a bushy white beard. who
-o.d frightened and helpless in the
80 'lo Of the floor
'ui out that candle! We don't need
q 9dlus now; it's daylight"
Whereuron the light was eEtin-
,frrt,f IL