The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-29

movement OF Grlscom's hands. and some
swift undehnable emotion was mirrored
of the house. Before he could interpret
II, the mask was resumed anu only the
expression OF grlef remained.
Let me have It." said the detective.
II left II where I found it."
Show me the room then" and the de-
tectiye walked toward the stair. Come,
Mr.. Griscom; Hynes will walt below"
rs 1t necessary asked Griscom, rising
YES, iii have to ask you lot Of ques-
lions. Sorry to go against the grain, but
It's duty"
Rodman threw away his half smoked
cigar. and taking the lead guided the de-
tective TO the fateful door, while Griscom
followed with evident unwill'ngness. Be
fore the entrance Rodman hesitated, and
for a moment felt the cold hand OF death
clutching at his heart Even the detec-
tive seemed to feel something OF the hOr-
rOr that radiated from the closed panels,
hut with a grun command to ''stand
aside" he seized the knob and thrust
the door ajar.
well. it's there, all right" ne said. as
the swing OF the door was checked by
some resistance. "But the rooms dark
What's the matter?" Even his cnlloused
nerves thrilled at the combination OF death
and the unknown beyond the black en-
trance, and he hesitated from putting foot
beyond the threshold.
zone moment. please said Rodman.
and reAching his hand beyond the door
CT sing, he turned on the lights.
Detective Rafferty, with difficulty pressed
his stout form through the opening aud
Rodman followed. The two men stood for
little looking at the dismal figure that
lay huddled against the door; ROdman ex
perlencing again the emotions OF awe with
which he had first beheld the image OF
death; the detective accustomed TO scenes
OF violent ends, busy with noting the sur
roundings.
Come in Mr.. Grscom," said Rafferty,,
Without the door. There's SOH nothing ns' here
tn hurt you" And he looked keeny at
Griscom as he entered
81 do not wish to impede your invest-
CATION" said GriscOm; ''but you can I'M
detstand that a father has natural hesi-
tatiOn under such painful circumstances
His face gave no indications OF his emo
the body OF his son. Suddenly his eye
lighted, and ROdman followed his gaze TO
Its object to see the handle OF the revolver
peeping out from beneath the chair. III
there Is anything can do to as
sist you. do not hesitate to command
me-" he continued, siding between the
detective and the weapon.
Sure" said the detective, brushing
past Grlscom and picking up the revolver.
Let me know IL you can identify this"
and he turned the hrearm over. looking
eahber gun, French model, 5-shot, one
chamber discharged"
Griscom looked at It carefully, and Rod
man thought that an expression OF re-
lief shOne In his eyes.
No he said Il cannot identify it,
Then it's not yOursr'
81 do not own one"
could it have belonged 10 your sOn2''
Possibly. He owned a revolver, but I
never examined it,
TT HE detectives eye. roaming about the
room, now fixed itself on the carpet
beyond the chair under which the revolver
had lain, and stepping forward, he lifted
a handkerchief
Blood stainsr' ne exclaimed. 'This
looks like an important clue"
well, 1t isn't" said Rodman. That's
my handkerchief felt over Arthur
alive, and got blood on my hands.
wiped IL of on the handkerchief, and
flung It there"
"Hm-mv responded the detective doubt
fully, that was the way, was it?'' And
after studying the red marks on the cloth
II in his pocket, and went back to the
body.
''Powder marksl'' he exclaimed. after
close scrutiny OF the white shirt front
The revolver must have been held not
more than two feet away when 1t was
fred"
Rodman measured the distance to the
chair with his eye.
How did 1t get over there then? 1t
was fifteen feet away"
head, as though he had ideas that he was
not going 10 share with an outsider Then
he looked about the room.
Furniture all looks to be in place." he
said. Ibid anyone touch IT."
at has not been moved said Rodman.
There wasn't any fight then. When
there's been a rough-and-tumble some thing
is to upset"
"Do you suspect sulcideT' said Girls
com.