Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-05

didn't fan asleep. He knew the man
and thought him friend. Perhaps
they were even talking together at the
time the blow was struck"
Delroy's face turned livid. and great
beads of sweat broke out across his
forehead.
Presently there came the sound of
footsteps on the walk, the door opened,
and young Graham and Thomas came
in
Or Wise promised t come at
once. sir" said the latter to Deiroy. his
voice dropped inStinctively to Il wills
per HE said he'd bring the coroner
with him"
Delroy nodded without looking up.
Ten. twenty. thirty minutes passed.
thirty centuries during which no one
spoke. Then they heard the swift clat-
ter of a horses hOofs. the whir of
wheels, and a buggy pulled up before
the door Thomas had il open on the
instant. aud the two men walked in.
What is ii. Delroy:" asked one OF
them. Nothing serious. I-ah.' lie
added as his eyes fell upon the cot.
~ WIFI ~ II 'tt1lN N 'i' 'NAiNA A'A
| lowing: touched the hidcouS WOUNDS,
looked into the eyes. felt the temples.
Hes dead" he said ut last; mas
! been dead two or three hours | should
say. His skull is cru>hcd-fairly beat
en- in. Its your gardener. Graham,
! isn't it:"
Yes" Dclroy answered.
| Tho doctor StpuDp1 hack
! II turn the ease over to you. Tcffel-
bower" he said. It's in your province
now. Mr.. Delroy, this is Mr.. Heffel
| bower. the coroner"
Ucffeihower bowed. He was Il little.
stout man, haldheaded and with wide
open blue eyes that stared like dolls.
| Primarily be- was saloon keeper. but
| had been elected coroner aS a reward
| for his valuable services to his party
| He possessed certain native shrewd
ness which fitted him to some extent
for the office: also lack Of nerves and
q familiarity with crime which might
| often h" of service.
II presume" he began slowly. tai
It's man wasn't killed here in his he'd
"No." said ReIroy, we found him ly
ing out on the pier yomder. We
thought II only common humanity tC
bring him in, since there might have
been 4 spark Of life left"
"Oh. Of course" agreed the coroner
instantly. viSibly impressed Ivy Del
roy's presence. Tat was right. VIII,
found tie body"
Ills son. there" and Drlroy indi
Gated young Graham by Il gesture.
III tell everything | know. sir,
said William. coming forward eagerly
Il went up + tn house. about . O'clocl
and brought this cot down, intcndin' t
: turn in here an relieve father at mid
night. Father was settin' ont there OF
tn pier a-smokin' his pipe when
turned in. | went t sleep almost al
soon as I touched tn pller. l don
know how long it was. but after awhile
I kind o woke up an heard voice.
: a-talkin' out there on tn pier. | so
up an looked out tn winder an purt.
soon l saw it was Mr.. Drysdale witt
father"
"Drysdale? Who's her' asked tn
coroner.
Hes Il friend of mine" spoke u
DeIroy quickly. IAN old friend. He
staying here at the house with us. L
fact. he's to marry my wife's sister,"
The coroner bowed.
VERY we'll" he said, turning back t
Graham. you may continue
y ''Well." went on the young fellow
AS soon as | saw it was Mr.. Drysdal
J. | knowed it was all right. 50 l wen
!, back to bed agin. An | didn't knoI
nothn' more till a great clap o thunde
l nearly took tn roof off tn house. I sc
Up in he'd. but | couldn't seem t G
awake fer minute, my head wa
O whirIin' so. Then ! got on my fec
. an looked out tn winder an jest the
It lightened ag'in an l seen fathe
l. layin' there
He stopped with a sob that shoe
him through and through
"That will do for tie present" sal
the coroner kindly. 1T seems rattle
extraordinary" he added. turning
Delroy. tat It's man should have 81
out t'ere in tie rain at tat time
night Was he fishing?"
n. Delroy sprang to his feet with a SUI
lien start.
"Fishingf" he cried. NO! I'd 70
y gotten. He was guarding my wife
necklace"
He threw open the door and ran Of
ID on the pier, the others following. /
K. the extreme end rope was danglir
in the water. He reached over al
pulled it up. The wire cage was fla
'r ping open. The necklace had disa
. peared.