The Washington times., 1909-03-31

police wire, and two uniformed patro'~
men were hurried to the scene. Tw|
detectives from the central office at
headquarters were also sent to invesu-
gate the murder. They arrived few
minutes after the precinct men had
come.
wen take charge here" said one of
the detectives TO the men in uniform.
you fellows had better stand at the
door of the outer office and don't let
anybody in here until the coroner
comes"
Then this man whose name was Pea
body and who was considered the
smartest detective in the New York po-
lice department, turned to Arthur Bar
riEgton.
How did this happen?" he inquired,
looking at the youn man. keenly. ''3e
good enough to tell us all you know
about it,
At don't know much" replied Bar
rirgton- II just got here and found my
poor brother lying dead on the floor,
just as you see him now, with bullet
through his heart. This fellow was in
the room with the body when 1 ar
rived
''Har exclaimed the detective, glar-
ing at Wilbur And who is this man?
Do you know him?''
"Of course I know him. replied Ar
thur harrington. He is one of our
employees"
He is, en-? Well. what can you tell
us about this murder. young man?"
demanded the detective, turning to Will
bur
Not much," replied the latter at.
too. nad been out, and only just got
hack. found Mr.. Frank Darlington
dead when I returned. I was just about
to notify the police when Mr.. Arthur
Darlington arrived. But are you sure
that it is a murder?' ne inquired eager
ly. Couldn't it be a suicide?''
mot very WELL" replied the detec-
tive, with grim laugh. "A man could
shoot himself through the heart, but he
couldn't very well hide the revolver
after he had done so. 1 don't see no
gun lying around. The weapon with
which this fellow was shot has disap-
peared- That knocks out the suicide
theory. young feller, and makes it
murder sure"
Wilbur groaned. He wished now that
he had not picked up that pearl-han-
died revolver and put it in his pocket.
He had done so because he knew who
owned that revolver, and he had de-
sired to remove suspicion from that per-
son. If possible; but now he began TO
perceive that he had not acted wisely.
Suppose the gun had not disap-
peared?'' he inquired anxiously. Would
1t have looked to you like a suicide
them"
The detective exchanged q meaning
glance with his partner. Then he said
emphaticalIy: IF that gun had not
disappeared I wouldn't have the slight
est doubt but that ii was a plain case
OF suicide There is everything here to
indicate suicide, except the disappear
ance Of the weapon. Don't you think
so, Jim?''
The second detective nodded.
L certainly do" he said. From the
position Of the body and certain other
little details it sure does look ike this
rehow died by his own hand. But, OF
course, the fact that the gun has gone
makes that impossible
The two detectives looked searching
iy at Wilbur as they spoke. The latter
fell easily into the trap.
Wen the fact is, he said. nervouslv
the revolver hasn't disappeared. Here
II is. found it lying on the desk
when ] got here"
He produced the little pearl-handled
pistol from his pocket, and with a tri-
umphant exclamation Detective Pea
body snatched ii from him.
SO that's the gun, eh?" ne said.
And you found ii lying on the desk
ana put 1t in your pocket. did you?
Wen. young man, 1 must say that
/ you're not very bright. You fell
mighty easily for our little bIuff. I'm
convinced now more than ever that
Mr.. harrington did not die by his own
hand. You'll have to come along with
rs You're under arrest"
Under arrest" gasped Wilbur. sure
\ ly you don't think that Il
I'VE think that you'n have a mishty.
I hard JOB explaining why you put this
| gun In your pocket, il you didn't kin
! your employer Interrupted the detect
/ i've. Come along, now. It's no use
/ trying 20 argue. Besides. It is our duty
70 warn you that anything you say now
! may be used as evidence against you