Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-01-11
CHAPTER XIX.

1OR full moment the coroner
1t stood looking down at the
|1{SiSJ pistol in his hand without
Sz29 speaking, but his face hard
ened and grew stern, SO far as lay in
the power of a countenance so rubi-
cund.
Il tink shall have to see Mr.. Drys-
dale before go back to Babylon" he
said. But first let us try to account
for tie presence of tbs pistol in tat
boat"
How can it be accounted for7" de-
manded Delroy impatiently. Good
heavens! l tell you Jack Drysdale
never killed that man. Perhaps he was
boating yesterday. No; he was In New
York yesterday-well. Sunday. then
and had the pistol with him and left
1t In the boat by mistake. How else
could 1t have got thers7 The murderer
wouldn't have put it there"
"Nobody's used tn boat. sir" said
William.
"How do you know t'at?" asked the
coroner sharply.
Because, sir, tied it t the buoy,
an l know my knot. It's TIL same
one Jest unfastened."
Nobody went out except Mr.. Drys-
dale" spoke up Thomas. II was in
tn vestibule till nearly midnight when
Mr.. Delroy told me t 60 to bed"
You saw Mr.. Drysdale come int"
Yes, sir, an never saw anybody
50 worked up an nervous-like."
DO you remember what outer gar
ment he woref"
HE wore his ralncoat, sir. 1 helped
him on an off with it."
Where are tie raincoats kept?"
"They usually hang on the rack tn
tn vestibule, sir. That's Mr.. Drys-
dale's coat that Mr.. Delroy has on
now"
YES" said Delroy, looking down at
It; Il didn't notice. snatched 1t down
IN such hurry
He stopped, staring down at the
coat, his face suddenly ltvid.
The others followed his glance.
The top button Of the coat was miss
Ing. 1t had evidently been wrenched
away with violence, for the cloth was
badly torn.
Amid silence strained, absolute,
the coroner took from his pocketbook
the button he had found in Graham's
hand.
II believe Mr.. Drysdale will find it
difficult to explain tbs, gentlemen" he
said, his face glowing more and more,
and he held against the place the but
ton he had found.
1t fitted exactly; the button matched
the others on the coat; the shred of
cloth was Of the same color and ma
terial as the remainder of the garment.
1t was proof there could be no dis
putting.
LET us go up to tie house and have
talk with Mr.. Drysdale," said the
coroner.
They followed him In silence from
the boathouse and up the broad gravel
path.
"Shall have Drysdale called
DOWN." asked Delroy as they stepped
inside.
NO" said the coroner; I'D prefer
TO see him in bis ROOM.
VERY WELL" the other acquiesced,
and led the way through the still
deserted hall and up the stair.
At the top, Tremaine turned to the
coroner.
IF you don't mind" he said, "I'll
go on to my room. I'm feeling pretty
well used up
The others went on to the next door.
Delroy knocked.
who's there?' queried Drysdale's
voice.
"Open up. Jack" called Delroy.
We've got to see you on some rather
important business"
important businessv' Drysdale re.
peated, and they heard him cross the
room. Then the door was flung open.
Come in-why, what the deuce Is all
this about, Dickie2"
Come in and shut the door, Jack"
replied Delroy quietly. This gentle
man is Coroner Heffslbower Of Baby
lon. He wishes to ask you a few
questions"
Drysdale answered with a stare OF
amazement, but he stood aside and let
them pass into the room.
II was packing, Dickie," he said.
I've got to go back to New York
today, to look after some Investments.
I'd like to stay, old man, but really
can't
Something In the faces of his audi
tors stopped him, and he changed color.
"Sit down, Mr.. Drysdale." said the
coroner solemnly, himself taking chair.
"Our business may take some little
time. You own a revolver, I believe"
EYES," said Jack, "a Smith & Wes-
son. I was just looking for it. When
I opened my trunk just now missed
It,"
"How long has it been since you
saw it?'
II can't say-two or three days, per-
haps."
Did you have your revolver last
nightT
mo; haven't seen 1t for day or
two, tell you"
"Iss tbs your revolverY 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 ISIS tbs your raincoat"
Eyes, but what
You wore it whsn you went out last
nightS"
Eyes; but insist
Mr.. Drysdale," asked the coroner
ntornlu Mf0t. xrhak .as,x,,oso ala .xa.. 90