The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-10-05
Il think you already have an en-
planation." he answered cheerfully.
III II amuses you 10 sheer at my

f~%"tShs Nv hhoW GiV0 Cu6tIlullys
III II amuses you 10 sneer at my
superstition----"
You refer 10 the legend OF the de
Launes. ! have heard the story be
fore. Mr.. Phillips: nor am surprised
that you believed II to be the ghost
wolf"
Il did-but now want you to dis
prove IT,"
On the contrary. al my evidence
supports your theory"
stared at him. with a creeping
horror In my blood. / was beginning
to be enthusiastically afraid. Peace
leant back In his chair, with his eyes.
vacant in expression, fixed on the
wall. He seemed rather to be argu-
Ing with himself than addressing a
listener.
Baron Steen." he said, met with
his death on an open path between a
shallow duck-pond and a little pavil-
ion. He had fought hard for life. had
rolled and struggled with his enemy.
There were four or FIVE punctured
wounds in his throat and neck. from
which he had bled profusely. And
now for the thing that killed him
whatever II was. II could not have
fed down the elf path. for the boats
crew waiting below had heard the
screams. and had come running up by
that way. They were with him when
we arrived. and assured me they had
seen nothing. II could not have turn
ed 10 the right or left, for, though the
paths had been swept clean-doubt-
less by the baron's orders. for he
would not desire his way OF escape
TO be easily traced-ihe snow on
either side lay in unbroken levels. II
could only have retired by the yew
avenue. and II did not break through
the hedge. That. again, the snow
proved clearly. So we may take II,
that whatever the thing may have
been which you saw--it killed Baron
steen; further. II escaped into the
house-this, you will remember, we
decided in the garden. Let us imag-
Inc IL was man-that you were de
ceiyed by the uncertain light His
clothes must of necessity have been
drenched In blood. He could not
have struggled SO flercely with his
victim and escaped those fatal signs.
Yet. he cannot have burned his
clothes, for the fires are downstairs
where people were passing. Nor can
he have washed them, for neither the
bath rooms nor the bedroom basins
have been recently used have
spent some time in searching boxes
and wardrobes with no result. Strang-
er still. as far as my limited informa-
ton goes. every one in the house can
prove an alibi--save two"
"And who are they?" l asked
eagerly.
"Mr Henderson, the baron's valet
and yourself"
inspector Peace" began an
grily.
Tut, tut, my dear Mr.. Phillips. I
was merely stating the facts. Mr..
Henderson's case. however. presents
an interesting feature, for he has run
away"
Run away" 1 said. "Then that
settles IT,"
mot altogether. I'm afraid. think
II is more a matter OF theft than muir
der with Mr.. Henderson"
l stared at him I'm silence as he sat
there, with his little hands clasped
upon his lap. a picture OF irritating
composure.
Peace" | said. struggling to con
I a ga.
from me? IL is something inhuman,
unnatural that has done this dreadful
thing"
The little detective stretched him
self. yawned. and then rose to hii
I feet.
Il have no opinion except that
think you had better go TO bed. Dom
lock your door, for / may find tins
for an hours sleep on your sofa be
fore morning"
1 The news was out after breakfast
the news that led to mild Mysteries
| and scurryng OF lady's-maids TO tn,
packing OF boxes, and the chasteneC
| sorrow OF those gentlemen who owes
the baron money Through all th,
turmoil OF the morning moved the III
tie detective, the most sympathetic
of men IL was he who apologized SC
humbly for the locked doors OF the
] bathrooms: he who superintendec
the lighting of fires, and the making
OF the beds. and the packing oI
trunks for the station so closely that