The sun., 1909-02-14
THE THUMB MARK
| ON THE CANE
Cronkite Records Another Instance
Of the Power Of Things
Displaced.


smoking jacket and without hat. had
evidently rushed out Of the house, at
trRcted by some noise. aud had been
struck down in the dark
The assassins weapon lay near: q bam-
boo cane with heavy silver head.
On the etick we're bloody smears and
impr,ntcJ in these was the thumb mark
Of the hand that had dealt the blow. This
cane was identified as one which had stood
Cor years ~ the hall rack.
Under the oare Of Judge Marcellus the
iadics o. the house attended the inquest
and told tho little they knew OF the oc-
currences Of the night. The widow, frail
and shaken testified that she had retired
early. leaving hor husband among his
books in the library. Their daughter.
Enid. tall and fair. with a dignificd sorrow
that vas touching. also testified that her
last sight Of her father had been when
she stopped IN the library to cay good
night 10 him.
WAS he, as you would naturally expect
20 find him at that hour. composed. stu
dious?" asked the Coroner.
Tho girl colored little. vet answered
bravely
He wns Ecgvous and irritable" s'r
snid, "becausc his private secretary, Mr.
Herbert Howell. had not returned at the
hour he said no would"
Howell himself presently corroborated
this statement. lie had promised to he
back from an engagement, he said at
10 o'clock. but had been unexpectedly
detained until noarly II. Therefore he
a. xv,, uN
etopping in the library.
What was this engagement asked the
Coroner.
Il must respectfully dec line to answer
tina. question: returned the Young man
firmly, raising his clean cut faoo as II in
defiance OF the growing interest OF the
court room.
Miss Talbot, goyerness OF the Grand
field children, told different tale.
Il was awake at ? o'clock in the morn
ing she said. y heard the mantel clock
strike that hour. Just then also heard
steps up the stairs and along the upper
floor to Mr.. Howell's room"
But Mr. Grandfeld also has a front
'oor1 on the upper floor interposed tho
Coroner.
That Is true, Miss Talbot replied CON-
posedly, but the steps heard were not
his. He came to my door at 10 o'clock to
ask IL the children were all right. He was
in his slippers. gave him medicine for
a headache
James Grandfield, who followed the
tpinster, explained that except for this
call he had kept his room during the eve
ming. being III with a headache, and had
gone to bed early
You are cousin of Mrs. Nevins and
live at the house, understands asked the
Coroner.
Yes the witness replied readily.
When my dear wife died a wear ago,
leaving me with two small children. these
GOOD friends and kinsfolk brought us to
their home. You see my father was a
partner with Mr.. Neyins and succeeded
10 his interests in the business OF which
I am the manager
After the servants had given testimony
Of purely negative value the Coroner
hemmed and hawed Importantly.
-I suggest he began, for / do not
think 1t right for me TO require-I su ggest
that the male witnesses pass into the next
room and let nv physician, DR.. Thoms.
take their thumb marks on a sensitive
plate he has prepared"
Mr. Grandfeld for all the indolent
Haunter so characteristic OF him, was the
FIRST 10 comply with this reduest Binns,
the butler. and the two serving men.
nlainlv frightened. followed, Herbert
Howell turned in his chair as II he was
',oing 20 stick there.
Then he rose TO his feet. with a half
res+ure as If about n address the Court
Thon, still irresoute he joined the others
"a the next room. Again a curious
interest. not friendly. chung TO him.
Silence in the court room heavy, almost
ntolerable Finally the witnesses re-
turned, Indifferent, scared uneasy even
they had gone
4 dark. slight man. with professional
. card and spectaCles. took the stand.
Are YOU ready 10 report. DR. ThomsE
sSLad the Coroner
Il have taken the thumb marks Of the
aovera witnesses scnt me replied the
impassive physician. Il have diligently
oyarined the marks under the glass
and compared them with the thumb mark
'ound in the blood on the cane. They are
mike, except in one instance. In that
instance they are exactly alike"
Name the instance" ordered the
Coroner, and a deep breath resounded
.throug Oh the room
The thumb mark of Herbert Howell
" an exact counterpart of the thumb
mark on the cane" announced the
physician.
II.
II was natural that Enid Nevins sb ould
go to the buffers comfortable quarters
20 meet and greet Blinns's brother. The
old servant. who had held her in his arms
az an infant and had seemed a part OF
the family ever since. had talked for
years of tn visit his brother out West
some day would make So though a
spirit Of unrest pervaded the household
Ends thoughtful courtesy attracted no
notice from anybody
When the old butler he'd left the two
alone. himself keeping watch outside,
the girl raj ed her tremulous gaze and
studied the othe-'a face
Il should, perhaps be afraid Of one to
whom Judge Mercellus attributes such
formidable powers" at length she said,
'but | am not. like you; | trust you
oh. need 10 trust some one sol-
MY formidable powers, miss" replied
Oronkite simply. consist Of loyalty and
the ability TO an extent at least. 10 seek
out and follow the logic Of events There
is why to every result, there is a solu-
ton 70 every why. These powers are at
yG7r disposal Trust me"
Erid's pale cheeks flushed
Il will unreservedly." she declared. Il
an deeply intere ted IN Herbert Howell
IDdeed, we pre secretly aflianced He is
good true innocent. Oh save him!7
col IL 4