The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-17

ed and disappeared, now his head was
thrust into the room. and now his
nose was fattened against the dingy
show-windows: from neither point
'ovld SO quite command the view he
desired nor could he bring himself 10
enter the building; then he vanished
entirely. but after a brief interval
they heard his voice. He was evident
ly speaking with some one i'm the
street. A little crowd was rapidly
gathering about him, but Il disin.
tegrated almost Immediately, his list.
eners abandoning him 10 hurry into
the store.
said the colonel. Unless you are
very careful you may destroy import
ant evidence"
The crowd assembled itself silently
for the most part: here and there a
man removed HIS hat, or made some
whispered comment. or asked some
eager low-voiced question OF Gilmore
or the cotonet Men stood on boxes,
on nail kgs, and on counters. Except
for the little circle left about the dead
man on the floor. every vantage point
OF observation was soon occupied. IL
was scarcely half an hour since
Snrimplin had fallen speechless into
Colonel Harbison's arms. yet fully two
hundred men had gathered in that
long room or were struggling about
the door 10 gain admittance 10 II.
At a suggestion from HARRISON, the
gambler, followed by Joe, elbowed his
way to the front door which in spite
OF the protest OF those outside, he
closed and locked. A moment later,
however. he opened II 10 admit Doctor
TAYLOR. the coroner. and Conklin. the
sheriff. The latter instantly set about
clearing the room.
Gilmore and the colonel remained
with the officials and during the sue.
ceeding ten minutes the gambler. who
had kept his post at the door. opened
IL to Moxlow, young Watt HARRISON
and two policemen.
AS the coroner finished his examina-
ton OF the body, the sound OF wheels
was heard in the Square and an un-
leuaker's wagon drew up to the door
The murdered man was placed on
stretcher and covered with a black
cloth. then four men raised the
stretcher and for the last time the
old merchant passed out under his
creaking sign into the night.
rive agreed to watch at the house,
Andy" said Colonel HARRISON. II want
you and Watt 10 come with me-"
The gambler lighted a fresh cigar
and the three men left the store.
On the Square groups OF men dis
cussed the murder. Though none was
permitted 10 enter the store, the win
dows afforded occasional glimpses OF
the little group OF officials within. un.
Ill a policeman closed and fastened
the heavy wooden shutters. Then the
crowd slowly and reluctantly dis
persed
Meanwhile the town marshal, under
cover OF the excitement, had descend
ed on the gas house where tramps
congregated OF winter nights for
warmth and shelter. Here he found
shivering over can OF beer. two
homeless wretches, whom he arrested
as suspicious characters. After this,
Official activity languished. for the
official mind could think OF nothing
more TO do.
With the scattering OF the crowd
on the Square, Shrimplin climbed into
his cart and drove CT home. The
smother OF wind-driven snow still en-
veloped the town, the very air seemed
charged with mystery and horror,
and before the little lamplighter's
eyes was ever the haunting vision OF
the murdered man.
He drove into the alley back Of his
house, unhitched Bill and led him into
the barn. His torch made the gloom
OF the place more terrifying than ut
ter darkness would have been. Sup
rose the murderer should be hiding
there, Mr.. Shrimplin's mind fast
ened on the hay-mow as the most like
ly place OF concealment and the cold
sweat ran from him in Icy streams:
he could almost see the murderer's
evil eyes fixed upon him from the
blackness above. But at last Bill
was stripped Of his harness. and the
little lamplighter. escaping from the