Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-13
ISPOLATOFF, IN CUSTODY,
STILL REMAINS CALM
Detectives Claim Russian Has Told
Many Conflicting Stories.
MISSING STONE GIVES CLUE
Taken From Wall, It Was Used, Po-
lice Say, to Weight Trunk Con-
tanning Body of American
Woman.

COMO. Italy, June ia part of a
mans coat, declared by some of his fish
erman neighbors to have belonged to Por-
ter Charlton, was found today in Lake
Como, from the waters of which the body
of his murdered bride. Mary Scott Castle
Charlton. was recovered last Friday.
The torn garment was fished up from
the bottom of the lake near the spot
where the trunk containing the body of
the woman was found Today's discovery
strengthens the theory of many that
double murder was committed. This is
the view of Charles NJ. Caughy. the
American consul at Milan, who believes
that Charlton met the same fate as did
his wife.
Mr.. Caughy is actively engaged In fur
thering the investigation. Earlier evil
dence that both of the Americans were
killed, presumably for their valuables.
was found in the blood-Spattered bed at
the villa which they occupied. 1t is de-
clared that the seven wounds found on
the woman's head did not release any
such quantity of blood as left its stains
in their lake shore home.
Constantine Ispolatoff, the chance ac-
quaintance Of the Charltons, from whom
they leased the villa, remains in custody
today and is frequently questioned as
developments furnish the detectives with
new grounds for inquiry. The Russian
maintains his self-possession and insists
that he knows nothing as to how or by
whom the crime was committed.
Search of Lake. Begins.
On the supposition that Lake Como
contains the body Of Charlton, thor
ough search of it's bottom and shores
was begun today. The work was started
i'm the vicinity Of the spot from which
the fishermen had drawn the trunk with
it's gruesome contents to the surface.
1t was not long before the searchers
were rewarded by the finding of the por-
ton of q mans coat. This was eX-
hibited among the fisher folk and others
in the vicinity who had seen the Charl-
tons. and some Of these declared at once
that it was part of a suit which the
young American had worn. The search
was continued with renewed interest.
Further support OF the double murder
theory developed as the day progressed
1t had been shown that the police were
in possession of several clues leading, 1t
would appear, to the conclusion that
Charlton had been murdered. They have,
however, been decidedly reticent regard
ing their discoveries.
This afternoon it was learned that the
investigators had determined that the
stone with which the trunk was weighted
had been taken from the wall of the
auueduct on the shore of the lake. The
stone had been moved from spot in the
wall opposite the point at which the trunk
was submerged.
Used to Weight Trunks.
Following up this clue, the police dis
covered that another stone exactly sim
liar In size had been recently dug out
of the wall. This is held to be sig
nificant. The second stone, or rather the
first stone moved, has not been located,
and the police will not be surprised If
they find that it was used to drag below
the surface of the lake a trunk or box
containing the body of Sorter Charlton.
Ispolatoff was still further interrogated
this afternoon. The detectives who ques-
toned him claim that he has repeatedly