The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-06

thought his murderer a friend ana an
ticipated no assault. So he allowed hin
to approach unchallanged. and WA
wholly unprepared for the treacherous
attack"
The coroner looked at Tremaine
again with a glance In which suspicion
had changed to admiration.
Tat isS. indeed. very probable ex-
planation," he said. I'm fact, 1 haven't
tie least doubt it ISIS tie rue one. era
ham would no have allowed a strang-
er to APPROACH him: but II he a come
on, Graham would have prepared for
tie attack and would a given a good
account OF himself. He seems q very
powerful man."
AS he spoke, he lifted one of. the
muscular hands; then, with a little ex-
clanation Of surprise, he bent and
examined it more closely.
Come nearer, gentlemen" he said,
want you to witness tat he has some-
ting between his fingers
They stopped and looked as he indf-
Gated. They could see that the hand
clasped tightly some small. dark b
ject.
Let US see what it u.s." Heffelbower
continued, and ben back the stiffen-
ing fingers.
The object fell out into his hand. He
held 1T up In the glare of the light sc
that all might see. 1t was a button
with a little shred of cloth attached.
IF we can find tie garment tat tbs
came FROM said the coroner triumph
antly, turning 1t over and looking at
it, we shall probably find tie murder
er. 1t is a good clew.
He placed II button carefully in his
p%ocketbook and urned to the window.
II t'ink it ISIS light enough" he said.
Ito take q look at tie scene Of tie crime.
I shall ten return to Babylon"
Il nave thought" remarked Delroy.
of calling in a New York detective.
Should you object"
Not in tie least" Heffelbower broke
IN. Il shall welcome efcryting TT will
assist in bringing tie guilty person to
justice. Only he added pompously.
wit tie clews which ] already possess.
N wit tie ot'ers which 1 expect to
find, 1 believe it will be unnecessary.
TIE guilty man Will not escape, I'll
promise you tat, Mr.. Delroy," and he
the door and stepped out upon
the pier.
Joyous dawn. In tree and bush and
hedge the birds were welcoming it. All
nature was rejoicing, quite Indifferent
to the human tragedy which had
marked the night.
They went together down the pier to
the spot where Graham had fallen. IL
rain had washed away nearly all the
blood-stains. His rife lay on the pier
beside the chair in which he had been
The chair was overturned.
"But tie wind may have done tat"
said the coroner, when Delroy pointed
out that he overturned chair suggest
ed a struggle COR maybe he knocked
it over when he fell. Let's have a look
at tat little cage"
He pulled up the rope. The lid Of
ha 90 ra 1S,1 ma h1rt IL 5iY NOT coo-~
TO be injured.
Maybe tie waves proke 1T open."
suggested Heffelbower.
They couldn't have done chat" OBJ
iected Delroy. "See-herc's how #
fastened"
He closed the lid and snapped into
which locked automatically.
Tho only thing that could pen it,"
added, wa Il human hand"
"And an intelligent one. at tat" con-
;luded the coroner. cit would be very
hard to find t'ose little hooks In tie
lark, unless one knowed just where
tey were.~
Yes" admitted Delroy, That's
Heffe1power opened his lips to say
something more; then changed his
mind. closed them, and turned away
with 4 significant smile. He examined
he knots in the rope. the pier. the wa
-ers of the bay, on which just beyond
pier, q small boa was riding at
lnchor.
TIE boat is yours. 1 Mr..
he asked.
"Yes-it has been there ready for use
nee Saturday."
AS he spoke a gust OF wind swung
he boat in towards them.
Young Graham, who vas standing
m the extreme edge OF the pier. glanced
Town into ii, and uttered a sudden ex-
,larnation.
WHAT'S 1hat?" he cried. with arm.
)~utstretchcti.
The others followed the gesture. but
| second gust swung the boat away.
What vas it?" asked the coroner.
Without answering. Graham sprang-
INTO the water. and With a few strokes,
cached the boat. He climbed into 1T
unified it from the buoy. Then,
1t the instant another gust Of vino
from the ocean. he released his
,oid: The boat was swept against the
ook and made fast.
This is what 1 meant" lie said, and
to a pistol lying at his feet.
They stared down at it, amazed. M
vas the coroner who spoke first.
Pass 1t up" he said:
fTe turned it over carefully In. his
1t was a fine type of the Smith
" the chambers had been discharged.
All" he said, see t'ere," and ne
pointed to a clot of blood on the butt.
butt iss very heavy" he adder
.urning it up. "And see-here arr
'on,e tnftials-J. L. d. Whose are, t'ey?.
They are John Tolhsrt Drysdnless.
answered Delroy In a. low voice.
tCcnt,nued Next Week.)
Mo Ht,aeA>~f:oIJ