Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-01-08

n up great clouds OF
smoke and sparks. The
moment the train came to full stop.
a man on the platform made rush
for the nearest railway carriage. He
opened the door and entered, but sud
denly drew back with a look Of fear on
his face and a cry of horror on his
lips.
The guard looked and what he saw
robbed his tongue OF its glibness. The
setting sun sent n golden streak into
the coach and the glaring light re-
vealed there on the blue cushions a
pool Of red blood. The guard and the
hesitating passenger entered together
and made q careful examination OF
the carriage. The mans first sight had
not deceived him. There could be no
possible doubt about II. The cushions
ofhhe carriage were soaked with hu-
NAH blood. Inside the coach was hat,
a walking stick. and a small black
leather bag.
The railway carriage was run on to
its destination and a dispatch Instant
ly flashed to Col. James Fraser. the
head Of the London police force. In
the meantime the most persistent
cross-questioning failed to throw any
light whatever upon the mystery Of
the blood soaked cushions. The guard
remembered in a hazy sort OF way
that two men had entered the carriage
Just before the train left Fenchurch
street in London. His impression was
that they were together but he had
no certain recollection OF that. As to
their appearance, he was totally at
sea. He only knew that he had
crowded train that day. and in the
hurry and hustle OF his work paid but
scant attention to individuals.
There was one clue. however, and
eilat was of a character that could not
be overlooked even In the density dis
played by the railway officials. 1t was
the impression of n blood-stained hand
on the door OF the railway carriage.
The first act OF Col. Fraser was to
order the guilty carriage out
of service. He directed that
special pains be taken to preserve the
Impression Of the blood-stained hand
90 that 1t could be referred to when
ever the occasion demanded.
That same night word came to po-
lice headquarters that the body OF a
tsell-dressed man had been discovered
spot where the North London
I4iway passes Victoria park. The man
was unconscious but still alive. He
was taken to a nearby hospital and all
that medical science could do was
done to restore him to consciousness.
but in vain. He died within "a hours
xttk I
from the start that he had been muir
dered. Unfortunately. his head and
face had been beaten SO cruelty that
he was unrecognizable. Just at time
when the solution Of his identity
seemed farthest away, the hospital au-
thorities came upon a card in his vest
pocket. 1t read Thomas Briggs, Rob
arts & Co., Lombard street, London
An officer was at once dispatched to
the office of Robarts & Company, in
Lombard street. The head OF that firm
said that Mr. Briggs was their chief
clerk. and one OF their most valued
employees, and that they were at a
total loss to account for his unex-
plained absence from his post. He had
been with their banking house for
nearly half a century, and during all
Of that time had promptly reported
for work as the clock was striking
nine. He failed to do SO that morn
ing and they had assumed that he
was ILL., Just as they were preparing
to send an inquiry to his home mes
sage was received. stating that he had
not returned to his house in Hackney
the night before. hurried investiga'
ton proved that Mr.. Briggs left his
home at the usual hour on the pre-
vious day. He carried gold-headed
cane and wore gold-rimmed eye.
glasses, and had in his possession a
bid watch and chain. After conclud'
ing his business at the bank he left at
the usual hour In the afternoon, and
dined with his married daughter at
Peokham. He returned to the city In