The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-08-16
The Mayfair
Mysteries.
257S15257SaSah551s2s157S155sl11

All Londoners were horror-stricken
and indignant when they learned
through the newspapers of series
of extraordinary crimes, in some re-
spects similar to the notorious Jack
the Ripper murders.
The first of the series was the MUIR
der of a boy in the maze of news
and stables lying between Jermyn
street and ST. James square; week
later a similar crime was committed
on the south side of Oxford street.
This time the victim was an elderly
shape
In each case death had come swift
ly and without struggle. In each
case the crime was committed during
the earliest hours of morning. All
Nthe victims when found showed the
same external injuries.
They had been struck once, and
only cnce, a heavy, crashing blow be-
hind the lett ear with some heavy,
blunt instrument, and it was on this
fact, first of all, that the police placed
much reliance as likely clue. Yet
the fifth crime of the series found
them as much in the dark as ever.
Marshall Third, the Vigilant, had been
following up the cases in the papers
eagerly.
So far, in spite of extra plain
clothes patrols and a hastily organ
lied vigilance committee, the police
had only made one arrest to which
serious Importance could be attached
At one time it had seemed practically
certain that a conviction would have
been obtained, but two circumstances
placed the mans innocence beyond all
doubt The first was the extremely
able and convincing defense set up
by Lawson Hood, the great criminal
barrister; the second, which was con-
elusive, was the fact that the third
crime was committed on the evening
of the police court proceedings.
Lawson Hood was personally known
to the Vigilant, and the two had met
on several occasions in connection with
various causes celebres. He was the
author of two standard works on Grim
inology, and though comparatively a
young man, had already climbed to
the top of the tree. On the Vigilant's
desk lay a note in his handwriting
accepting an invitation to come around
that evening.
He arrived punctually to the min
ute. He was tall, slim-built man,
broad elf shoulder, with keen, clean
shaver face
Il was glad to get your note, Mr..
Third" he said, taking a seat. Il
particularly wanted to have a chat
with you. l must confess these MUIR
ders utterly puzzle men, and l want
to'hear your theory. Needless to say,
a child could have seen that the poor
wretch l got off the other day was
innocent.
1T is a peculiar casa very recu-
liar case said Third. Il think am
not exaggerating if l say it is the most
peculiar which | have ever concerned
myself in.
Now as to essential points. First
and foremost, all the crimes have
been confined to an area bordered on
the north by Oxford street. on the
south by Pail Mall. Not one has been
committed east of Piccadilly circus
nor further west than Half Moon street
that was the case of the young Amer
can returning from a supper party
after the theatre, you will remember
Lawson Hood nodded.
From that fact | deduce that the
murderer is in all probability homi
cidal maniac of good position, a fire
uuenter of those parts 1t is 'gior
particularly free from loafers ane
ne'er-d~-wells. We may reasonably
assume that the murderer Is a nlan
and since there is an absolute lack O
motive, maniac with an occasiona
irresistible desire to kill.
'The next fact is that he is prob
ably a tall man, for according to thu
reports in the original case of thu
messenger boy, the blow was strucl
in a distinctly downward direction
though he was tall for his age-fv'
foot three, to be precise. The Amer
lean stood a shade over six foot, YET
according to the medical evidence, TIL
blow was a circular sweep, indicatini
that the murderer's shoulder mus
have been as high as his victims.
Therefore we have tall, respect
able dressed man, liable to attacks g
homicidal mania. who steals out lat
Mt night and stalks his victim throug
che silent street-never before mic
night; never after three in the morn
ing. ane never, SO far, out OF tn