Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-10

c'nsisa. What revelation vas this man
'Mr. Hail." Fleming Stone began. 1--WE
no jntention OF forcing your secret from
you. But shall ask you some questions
swering them. First you refuse to tell
where you were during the night last
Tuesday. / take II you mean to refuse to
tell how or where you spent the evening.
Now. win You tell us where you lodged
that night?''
81 fail to see any reason for telling
you," answered Hall, after q moments
thought. II have said was in New
York city. that is enough
1.-THE reason you may as well tell us, ="
went on Mr.. Stone, lis because 1t is q
very simple matter for us to find out.
You doubtless We're at some hotel. and
you went there because you could not get
q room at your club. In fact. this was
you the morning after the murder. I
mean, 1t was stated that the club bed
rooms were all occupied. assume. there
fore, that you lodged at some hotel. and.
as a canvass Of the city hotels would be
simple matter: you may as well save
"Oh, very WELL" said Gregory Hall,
| sullenly; then did spend the night at
q hotel It was the Metropolis Hotel and
i kss YIN hnd my name duly on the reg
"I have no doubt Of it, said Stone.
pleasantly. Now that you have told us
this. have you any objection to telling us
| 1t what time you returned to the hotel
sfter your evenings occupation what
"Eh?'' said Hall, abstractedly. He
turned his head as he spoke. and Fiem-
Ing Stone threw me q Quix1tcal smile
which didn't In the least understand.
You may as vel! tell US" said stone.
II You withhold it, the night clerk can
give US this information"
WELL" said Hall, who now looked dis
tinctly sulky, 7 don't remember exactly
tween IL and 1 o'clock
And as 1t was a late hour. you slept
rather late next morning." suggested
"Oh, don't know. 1 was at Mr.. Craw-
ford's New York office by half-past TO-
IA strange coincidence. Burroughs,
said Fleming Stone, turning to me:
"Eh? Beg pardon?' said Hall. turning
his head also.
''Mr. HAIL" said Stone. suddenly facing
him again. ARE you deaf? Why do you
ask to have remarks repeatedF
Hall looked slightly apologetic. Il am
a little deaf.'' he said. "but only in one
ear. And only at times-or, rather. it's
worse ct times. If have cold, for in
stance"
or IN damp WeAtner! Sai0 stone. MI.
Hall, have questioned you enough l
will now tell these gentlemen. since you
refuse to do so, where you were on the
night Of Mr.. Crawford's murder. You
we're not in West Sedgwick, or near 1t.
You are absolutely innocent Of the crime
or any part Of it.'
Greory Hall Strengthened up percep-
tibly. like man exonerated from all
blame. But he quailed again as Fleming
Stone, looking straight at him. continued:
'You left West Sedgwick at that even
ing. as you have said. You registered at
you could not get q room at your club.
And then-ycu went over to Brooklyn to
| meet. or to call on. young woman Nv
ing In that borough. You took her back
entertainment and afterward escorted her
back to her home. The young woman
wore q street costume, by which l mean
| cloth gown without train. You did
| not have q cab but, after leaving the
car you walked for a rather long distance
| in Brooklyn. 1t was raining and you
were both under one umbrella Am ]
correct, so far?"
At last Gregory Halls calm was dis
| tur5ed. He looked at Fleming Stone as
at a supernatural being. And small won
der. For the truth of Stones statements
/ was evident from Halls amazement at
them.
"You-you saw us!'' he gasped.
mo. I didn't see you; It is merely q
matter Of observation. deduction and
memory. You recollect the muddy shoes?' p
he added, turning to me-
Did 1 recollect! Well, rather! And it
certainly was coincidence that we had
CHANGED to examine those shoes that
AS for Mr. Randolph and the district
attorney. they were quite as much sur
prised as Hall.
Can you prove this astonishing story.
Mr.. Stone?' asked Mr.. Goodrich. with an
incredulous look
''Oh, yes, in lots Of ways" returned
Stone. For one thing. Mr.. Hall has In
his pocket now g letter from the young
lady. The whole matter is of no great
importance except as 1t proves Mr.. Hall
Has not in West Sedgwick that night and
so Is not the murderer"
"Rut why conceal SO simple a matter?
Why refuse to tell Of the episode?" asked
Mr.. Randolph.
because" and now Fleming Stone
locked ct Hall With accusation in his
ious that his fiancee shall not know OF
his attentions to the young lady in
.o-ho!" said Mr.. Goodrich. with sudden
the item Mr. aa srs pa s sou go
Brooklyn and back that night, as Mr..
Stone has described?"
Gregory Hall fdgeted in an embarrassed
way. But, unable to escape the piercing
ngy that the detective had adrx told t,s the
what it is! How could he know?
II had reason for suspicion, SAID
Stone; land when found you were deaf
in your right ear, and that you had in
your pocket letter addressed in q femi-
nine hand and postmarked Brooklyn !
was sure"
"It's ali true" said Hall. slowly. ''You
have the facts all right. But. unless you
have had me Swallowed. will You tell me
how you knew 1t al?
And then Fleming Stone told Of his OBJ
servations and deductions when we no
ticed the muddied shoes at the Metropolis
Hotel that morning.
But" he said. as he concluded, when
I hastily adjudged the young lady to be
deaf in the left ear. see now | vas mis- !,
himself is deaf in the right ear. especially
SO in damp OF wet weather: ! saw that II i
been deaf in her left ear. Then q note
in his pocket from lady in Brooklyn
HT3ut Mr. Stone" said Lawyer Ran