The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-12-06

lookup. We found a loaded revolver
upon him. He refused to say who he
was or to make any explanation"
"And afterwards" asked Addington
Peace.
IL searched the causeway as soon
as 1t was light. There was nothing to
be found. But the evidence against
the prisoner seems clear enough, saw
ing the fact that the shotgun he used
has disappeared. He must have
thrown 1T into the water. They will
drag the lake for It this afternoon.
We've got the real murderer all right.
don't you think, sir?" 5clr
did you search the island before
you left last night?"
'No, sir"
Might not another man have been
concealed there?"
The policeman did not reply, save by
coloring deeper red and staring hard
at his boots.
SWELL, we'll. no one can think OF
everything" said Peace, with flick
err of a smile. Come and show me
where you lOunu MIN.
The dark stain upon the slabs be-
tween the nodding reeds was sign-post
sufficient. The little detective took
one look at the spot, and then stood
with his hands behind his back, peer
ing about him.
Were the prisoners clothes wet?"
he asked quietly. .
mo, sir; quite dry"
"And how deep Is the lakef"
From three to six feet deep. or 50
I've always heard"
''Is there boat on it7"
Jake keeps an old punt, 1 believe.
but the pleasure craft are under lock
and key in the boathouse. They've
not been in the water for years. and
would leak like sleeves" t,,
THAT Is all. Go up to the house
and wait for me there. shall be
back In an hour or So"
The policeman saluted and retired
down the causeway. his heavy boots
gathering upon the stones. "a
snow we can get to work, Mr.. Phil
lips," said the little man. chAerfully.
his eyes dancing with Q pleasant ex-
pectation. "While am maAins . lit
tie examination OF tho eauseway,
should be obliged IL you will wait for
me at the cottage on the island yond-
err, ss,r, ..,,
The last thing saw OF him was o
neat boot sticking out from the reeds
into which he was s-awling On hands
and knees. pV. si19lI9
The cottage was an old-fsshioned.
one-storied building. Tho ned tiles Of
It's gabled roof had been delicately
toned by age until they had sunk to
color very restful to an artists eye.
Wooden shutters blocked the win
dows; it's door OF stained and worm
eaten oak was firmly secured. A path
led through struggling laurel bushes
from the door to the lake, and walked
down to 1t to the loud outery of tho
nesting ducks that rose with tapping
wings about me and circled round to
splash into the water at a safe dis
lance. BY dilapidated wooden land
Ing stage l stopped to light olga
rette. AS threw away the match
a ragged tear in the deep moss that
covered the planking caught my eye.
I stopped to examine 1t. Under the
moss the wood itself was splintered
with a deep, fresh scar! I studied
the rest Of the landing stage without
result. Neither the moss nor the ex-
posed patches Of woodwork showed
any similar signs. The one fresh
scar-that was all.
was still considering the problem
when Peace joined me. He was in
high good humor. For time he
stared at the mark with his head on
one side like a meditative sparrow.
and then. selling me by the arm, led
me back by the way we had come.
Picturesque. chi" he said. pointing
o the old pavilion. ct catches your
rustic eye. Perhaps you will have
ime to make a sketch of It this
nonsense" ! said, irritably enough.
Who shot this poor fellowY"
mo one"
"What--suicidey
Nothing SO simple, I'm afraid.
VOW don't lose your temper. You
VIII understand within the hour.
'ome along"
Where are We going?"
TO visit our esteemed friend. Jake
warner. There Is just a chance he
lay show temper. Shall we risk Il.
IT. Phillips. or shall we call the DO
ceman from the house yonder?"
told him quite briefly that I would
go the policeman condemned first.
Warmers cottage was n straw.
natched' uncovered little place.
uiit on the slope OF the park. Be-