Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-15
CHAPTER II.
The Crawford House.

Here we are, SIR said the driver. as
we turned in at a fine stone gateway.
This is the Joseph Crawford place.
He spoke with sort of reverent PRIDE
and I afterward learned that his devotion
to his late master was truly exceptional.
This probably prejudiced him in favor
Of the Crawford place and all it's ap-
purtenances, for, to me. the estate was
not SO magnificent as some Of the others
we had passed. And yet, though not so
large, soon realized that every detail of
art or architecture was perfect in its way,
and that it was really gem Of a country
home to which 1 had been brought
We drove along curving road to the
house, passing well arranged flower beds.
and many valuable trees and shrubs.
Reaching the porte cochere, the driver
stopped and the groom sprang down to
hand me out.
AS might be expected, many people were
about. Men stood talking in groups on
the veranda, while messengers were seen
hastily coming or going through the open
front doors
A waiting servant in the hall at once
ushered me into a large room.
The effect of the interior Of the house
impressed me pleasantly. AS 1 passed
through the wide hall and into the draw
ing room 1 was conscious of an atmos-
and judgment.
The drawing room was elaborate.
though not ostentatious, and seemed Welt
adapted as social setting for Joseph
Crawford and his family. 1t should have
been inhabited by men and women in
gala dress and with smiling society man.
nerS.
1t was, therefore, Earring note when l
perceived it's only occupant to be a COM
monplace-looking man. In an ill-cut and
ill-titting business suit. He came forward
to greet me, and his manner was q trifie
pompous as he announced, MY name is
Monroe and l am the coroner. You, 1
think, are Mr.. Burroughs from New
York"
1t was probably not intentional, and
may have been my imagination, but hrs
tone seemed to me amusingly patroniz-
ing.
I looked at Mr.. Monroe with what l
hoped was an expression that would as
sure him that our stations were at least
equal
fear impressed him but slightly. for
he went on to tell me that he knew Of my
reputation as a clever detective, and had
especially desired my attendance on this
case This sentiment was well enough,
but he still kept up his air and tone Of
patronage, which. however, amused more
than irritated me.
l knew the man by hearsay, though we
had never met before. and knew that he
was of a nature to be pleased with his
own prominence as coroner, especially in
the case of SO important a man as Joseph
Crawford.
So I made allowance for this harmless
conceit on his part. and, was even willing
to cater to it little by way of pleasing
him. He seemed to me a man, honest
but slow of thought; rather practical and
serious, and though Overvaluing his own
Importance, yet not opiniOnated or stub
born.
Mr.. Burroughs he said, I'm very
glad You could get here so promptly: for
the case seems to me a mysterious one,
and the value of immediate investigation
cannot be overestimated."
Il quite agree with yOu, l returned.
"And now will you tell me the principal
facts, as you know them, or will you de-
pute some one else to do so?"
II am even now getting jury to-
gether," he said, land SO you will be
able to hear all that the witnesses may
say in their presence. In the meantime,
If you wish to visit the scene of the crime,
Mr.. Parmalee will take you there
At the sound of his name Mr.. Parmalee
stepped forward and was introduced to
me. He proved to be a local detective,
young man who always attended Coroner
Monroe on occasions like the present, but
who, owing to the rarity OF such occasions
in West Sedgwick, had had little expert
ence in criminal investigation.
He was a young man or the type
often seen among Americans. He was
very fair. with pink complexion, thin.