The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-10-26
Copyright 1906. the Bobbs-asrrin Coz
(Continued.)


IN the contest with Detective Coogan,
and l thought this a time to try it's
force
Not much, 1 don't!" said Coogan,
visibly disturbed But if 1t comes to
a choice, We'll have to risk a battle
with him"
We'll, maybe we're wasting time
over a trife," said l. voicing my hope.
Perhaps your dead man belongs
somewhere else"
Come along to the morgue, then"
said he.
Where was he found?" l asked as
we walked out of the City Hall.
He was picked up at about three
o'clock in the back room OF the Hur-
rieane Deck-the waterfront saloon.
you know-near the foot OF Folsom
Street
Detective Coogan asked a number
of questions as we walked, and in a
few minutes we came to the under
takers shop that served as the city
morgue
Here it IS" said coogan, opening
q door.
The low room was dark and chill
and musty, but its details started
forth from the obscurity as he turned
up the lights,
Detective Coogan's words seemed to
come from a great distance as he
said: Here, you see, he was stabbed.
The knife went to the heart. Here
he was hit with something heavy and
blunt; but it had enough of an edge
to cut the scalp and lay the cheek
open. The skull is broken. See
here"
I summoned my resolution and
looked.
Disfgured and CHASTITY as it was,
recognized it. 1t was the face of
Henry Wilton
The next l knew | was sitting on a
bench. and the detective was hold
ing a bottle to my lips.
There, take another swallow" he
said. not unkindly. 1 didn't know
you weren't used to it.
"Oh," gasped I'm all right now"
And / was able to look steadily at
the gruesome surroundings and the
dreadful burden on the slab.
rs this the MANI" asked the de-
tective.
Yes"
His name?"
"Dudley-James Dudley" l was not
quite willing to transfer the whole of
my identity to the dead, and changed
the Giles to James
WAS he a relative?"
I shook my head, though l could
not have said why I denied it. Then,
in answer to the detectives question,
l told the story of the scufie IN the
alley. and of the events that followed.
Did you see any Of the men? To
recognize them. l mean?'
| described the leader as well as
was able-the man with the face Of
the wolf that l had seen in the Ian
tern-fash.
Detective Coogan lost his listless
air, and looked at me in astonish-
ment.
4 don't see your game. Wilton" he
said.
I'm giving you the straight facts"
l said sullenly, a little disturbed by
his manner and tone.
well, in that case, I'd expect you
to keep the straight facts to your
self, my boy"
1t was my turn to be astonished.
We'll, that's my lookout" I said
with assumed carelessness.
= don't see through YOU" said the
detective with some irritation. III
you're playing with me to stop this
inquiry by dragging in-well, We
needn't use names-you'u find your
self in the hottest water you ever
struck"
You can do as you please" I said
coolly.
The detective ripped out an oath.
IF knew you were lying, Wilton
I'd clap you in jail this minute
We'll, If you want to take the
risks" l said smiling.
He looked at me for full minute
"Candidly, 1 don't. and you know
it." he said. But this is a sumner
on me. What's your game. anyhow p
l wished l knew.
so accomplished a detective should
not be at a loss to answer so simple
q question"
Well, there's only one course
open, as l see" he said with a groan
We've got to have a story ready foI
the papers and the coroner's jury"
This was new suggestion for NE
and / was alarmed.
You can just forget your little tale
about the row in the alley" he con
tinued. There's nothing to show
that it had anything TO do with this
man here. Maybe it didn't happen
Anyhow, just think it was a dream
This was a waterfront row-tough
saloon-killed and robbed by parties
unknown. Maybe Wen have you be
10 Tr1q.