Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-27

some tea, for Mr.. Pitman had been an
EnSlishman. and L had got into the
habit OF having cupful in the after
noon. with n cracker or n bit of bread.
But they refused. Mr.. Howell said he
had promised 10 meet a lady, and to
bring her through the flooded district
in boat. He shook hands with me
and smiled at Mr.. Holcombe
You will have to restrain his en-
thusiasm. Mrs. Pitman." he said. He
is a bloodhound on the scent. If his
baying gets on your nerves just send
for me-" He went down the stairs
and stepped into the boat "Remem-
Der, Holcombe," he called, every well
constituted murder has two things
motive and a corpse. You haven't
either. only a mass OF pidling details. -
If everybody waited until he saw
flames instead of relying on the testi-
mony of the smoke" Mr.. Hoicombe
snapped, what would the fire loss
be-"
Mr.. Howell poled his boat to the,
front door and. sitting down, prepared
to row out
You are warned, Mrs. Pitman," he
called TO me. If he doesn't find
body to fit the clews he's quite capable
OF making one to fill the demand
Horn said Mr.. Holcombe, look
ing at the slip again. The tail OF
the n is torn off-evidently only part
of word. Hornet. Horning. Horner-
Mrs Pitman. will you go with me to
the police station?"
/ was more than anxious TO 20. In
fact. could not bear the idea of stay
ing alone in the house. with heaven
only knows what concealed in the
depths of that muddy food. 1 got on
my wraps again. and Mr.. Holcombe
rowed me out Peter plunged into the
water to follow and had to be sent |
back. He sat on the lower step and |
whined. Mr.. Holcombe threw him an |
other piece OF liver, but he did not |
touch il.
We rowed to the corner OF Robinson |
treet and FederaI-it was before Fed
raj street was raised above the flood
eyel-and left the boat in charge of q
10Y there. And We walked to the po-
Ice station. On the way Mr.. Holcombe
uestioned me closely about the events
Z the morning, and / recalled the in
ident of the burned pillow slip He
lade a note OF IL at once and grew
cry thoughtful.
He left me. however, at the police
tation. I'D rather not appear In this,
Irs. Pitman," he said apologetically,
and ! think better along my own
nes-not that I have anything against
lie police; they've done some splendid
ork. But this case takes imagina-
on, and the police department deals
it'll facts. We have no facts yet
hat we need. OF course, is to have
e man detained until we are sure OF
II case"
He lifted his hat and turned away,
Id I went slowly up the steps to the
'lice station. Living. as / had. in ,
.ighborhood where the police. like the :
'or, are always with Us, and where ,
g visits OF the patrol wagon are one :
those familiar sights that no amount ,
repetition enabled any OF us to treat 8
It'll contempt, l was uncomfortable .
It'll / remembered that my GRANDPA
er had been one OF the first mayors .
the city and that, II the patrol had q
en- at my house more than once, the d
tire neighborhood would testify that s
= boarders were usually orderly.
At the door some one touched me on q
3 arm. II was Mr.. Holcombe again II
L have been thinking II over" he b
Il and j hAliara -Tnl,,d hstter nor d