The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-02-06
"Chloroform," I said.

&AAS " . v ClpSA tS W - Y
at It. He had been awakened by that
violent thunder clap, but for h first
moment ne had found himself unable
to m~ove-dizzy, as he explained it."
but how did you know wnere to
look for it?" I asked.
Well. I knew that no expert
enced criminal would keep about him
any such important evidence as
a bottle that had contained chic
form. The odor clings to 1t for
a Ion time. I committed the mistake,
at first, of ~supposing that he had hid
den 1t In the boathouse. I should have
known better. Naturally he would
throw II into the bay. There was a
single chance against me-. If he had
thrown 1t In uncorked. It would prob
ably have sunk. That was a point he
didn't think of, and by just that much
he fell below perfection. 1 think he
Z probably administered the chloroform
py pouring II upon one corner of the
sheet and throwing II over young
Graham's face. No doubt the odor
would ave been ~perceptible nex morn
ing had anyone thought to look for It.
There was only n point I'm the whole
case" he added thoughtfully, that
was utterly at variance with my the
ory-and 1t worried me badly for a
time" ...... -.
What was that?" I asked.
Tha was the story the jailer told
us--that Miss Croydon believed Drys-
dale guilty. But you have seen how
naturally that vas explained. I knew
then, in that instant, that ! was on
the right track-that nothing could de-
feat me. But let us go back to the
beginning--and I'd like you to point out
n flaws you see In the story"
very WELL" I said, and settled back
In the seat to listen.
"Tremaine had two very powerful
EnnHVVyAo HnR A.
crime" began Godfrey; he needed
money and could take no more from
Miss Croydon, since he vas trying Sc
riously to win her affection; he was
determined to get Drysdale out of the
way under circumstances as discredit-
able as possible, confident that, in that
case, he would himself win Miss Croy-
don. Which" he added, in a thought
fu aside, from what you've told me
or him, l DOM think at all impossible"
Not In the least" / agreed. II be-
neve Tremaine could win any woman
he really set his heart on"
Al any rate. he learns Of Drysdale's
jealousy and OF Miss C~roydon's promise
to explain things. He sees that at any
hazard he must prevent that expIana-
ton. Monday morning he comes to
town with Delroy, and the latter tells
him that he intends giving the necklace
n saltwater treatment. You'll re-
III ~ "aS lESIIldlIe WHO OTlRlUdl-
ly proposed this, though he could
scarcely at that time have foreseen
what would come Of It,"
Mere chance" 1 nodded.
Well, Tremaine takes the early train
back to Edgemere and lays his plans.
He writes the note"--
But you really haven't any evidence
that he did," I objected.
For answer Godfrey took from his
pocket the blotter he had found In Ire
maine's room.
I told you that these letters aren't
IN Tremaine's hand" he said; but if
you'll compare them with the note,
youu see how nearly they resemble
Miss ~Croydon's. Again, they are only
capital BIS. G's. and rs, which are the
oniy capitals used in the note. That's
pretty good circumstantial evidence.
Tremaine, OF course, burnt the piece of
paper he practiced on; but he didn't
think to burn this blotter. 1t was only
the freshest line at the bottom of the
paper that left these marks"
But did Tremaine have q sample Of
Miss Croydon's writing?"
There's no reason to think he didn't
have: but If he didn't, h could no
u have found plenty of samples
among ~Drysdale's things. He's prob
ably an adept at forgery as well as at
most other branches OF crime"
All right; go ahead" 1 said.
"Trematne writes the note and leaves
1t In Drysdale's ROOM" continued Cod
Trey. Then he opens the trunk and
the revolver. Perhaps he knew
n revolver was there and perhaps he
dldnt. 1.-The hadn't found II, he'd prob-
ably. have taken something else belong
ing to Drysdale for a Weapon.
Having secured the revolver. he re-
turns to his room by way of the bal
cony. n passed In the early part
OF n evening you already know. Drys-
dale goes to keep the rendezvous at the
pergola. starting early, because the
u with Tremaine in 1t, has become
unbearable to him. He stops for a
chat with Graham, which the Iatter'a
son ~oVerhears, and then goes on to the
pergola, which Is quite at the other end
or the ounds from the ~boathouse.
+ meanwhile, Tremaine has spent the
early part OF the evening talking with
Delroy and Miss Croydon. AT last he
goes to his room on the pretense or
writing letters, gets the revolver. sets
himself down by the vine, and starts
Tor the pier. He enters the boathouse
softly, feels his way to the cot, whose
position he has already seen, and care
fully administers the chloroform. The
dose was no u nicely calculated and
the boy would probably have
naturally in a few hours.
That done, Tremaine walks boldly
u upon the pier. Old Graham sees
him; perhaps challenges him; but of
course allows him to approach as soon
as he recognizes him. They talk to-
gether for a moment: then Tremaine
swift as lightning. knocks the other
down. Graham probably fell without
crying u I fancy l can see Tremaine
pausing to make sure his victim Is
dead before he goes on to the end of
the pier to get the necklace"
/ shivered; / could sec him, too. bend
ing over In the darkness, with q hor-
rible calmness.
That throwing Of the pistol into the
boat" continued Godfrey, was one of
those flashes Of inspiration which come
to a man sometimes. It was superb
1t proves that our friend Is really an
artist. Not n man In a thousand
would have thought Of It. He must
have laughed with sheer satisfaction
when he heard 1t clatter safely into
the boat"
He paused for, a moent to Think of
1t, to turn 1t over, to taste 1t.
Well" he continued, at last, 'he Sc
cures the necklace, throws away the
bottle, and probably goes down tn the