Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-07


didn't drift in here by accident he
came here OF intention. and the inten
ton wasn't to kill himself. either"
how do you know that?" demanded
I Goldberger incredulously.
Godfrey picked up the purse. open
ed it and took out one of the cards.
by this" he said, and held it up.
>"You have already seen what is writ
ten on the back of it-Afr. Vantine's
name and the number of this house.
/ That proves. doesn't 1t, that this fell
| low came to New York expressly to
see Mr.. Vantine:"
Perhaps you think Mr.. vantine kill
: ed him." suggested Goldberger sarcas-
ticaIly.
NO" said Godfrey. HE didn't
[ have time"
Thanks" said vantine driiy.
81 suppose, then, you think it was
Parks" said Goldberger
1T may quite possibly have beer
Parks" agreed Godfrey gravely.
NONSENSE" broke in Vantine impa-
tiently.
''Of course it's nonsense" assented
Goldberger. ITS nonsense to say that
himself"
tn cable to Paris" said simmonds
"If he belongs there Wen soon find out
who he is"
you'd better call an ambulance and
have him taken to the morgue." went
on Goldberger. Somebody may iden-
tify him there. There'll be a crowd
tomorrow, for. of course. the papers
will be full of this affair."
1.-THE Record at'least will have a very
full account" Godfrey assured him
And I'll call the inquest for the day |
after" Goldberger continued. an /
send my physician down to make |
post mortem right away. If there's /
any poison in this fellows stomach |
Wen find it,
Godfrey did not speak. but knew
what was in his mind. He was think
ing that If such poison existed the YES
sci which had contained it had not vet
been found The same thought no
doubt occurred to Simmonds. for after
ordering the policeman in the hall to
call the ambulance he returned and
began a careful search of the room.
using his electric torch TO iIIumine
every Swallowed corner. Godfrey de
voted himself to a similar search, but
both were without result. Then God
frey made a minute inspection of the
injured hand, while Goldberger looked
on with i'll concealed Impotence. and
finally Godfrey moved toward the
door.
81 think IN be going" he said. "But
I'm interested in what your physician
viii find. Mr.. Coroner. Will you be at
home tonight, Lester?"
Yes, 1 expect to be-" answered.
You're still at the Marathon" {
"Yes," said: ''suit A.
perhaps I'll drop around to see II
you" she said. And moment later
we heard the door close behind him as
Parks let him out.
"Godfrey's a good man. said Gold
berger, but he's too romantic. Take
this case. Here's q man kills himself
and Godfrey wants us to believe that
death resulted from a scratch on the
hand. Why. there's no poison on earth
would kill a man as quick as that, for h
he must have dropped dead before he
could get out OF the room TO summon
help. If it was prussic acid he swal-
lowed it"
How do you explain the address on
the card. Mr.. Goldberger:" asked.
My theory is that this fellow really
had some business with Mr.. Vantine.
he wanted to borrow some
money or ask for help. and then while
be was waiting he suddenly gave the
thing up and killed himself. The ad-
dress has no bearing whatever. that ;
can see. on the question of suicide.
A ~ " &c
ISN'T suicide Here's the ambulance"
The bearers entered with the stretch ,
IT, placed the body on it and carried
I away. Goldberger paused to gather
Ip the articles he had taken from the
lead mans pockets. :
You gentlemen will have to give
7our testimony at the inquest" he
aid; so will Parks and Rogers. II
will be day after tomorrow, probably
It 10 o'clock, but I'll notify you of the
lour."
Very WELL" said; "we' be there" {
nd Goldberger babe US goodby and
eft the house. And now" / added '
o vantine. Il must be getting back to
he office. They'll be asking the police
o look for me next. Man alive"-and
glanced at my watch-"it's after I
'cloek"' 4
Too late for the office" said Van a
inc. Better come upstairs and have
drink. Besides, 1 want to talk with {
ou' Il
AT least I'll let them know I'm still
live said. and l called up the Of
ce and allayed any anxiety that may a
ave been felt there concerning me- /
aust admit that it did not seem acute.
Tell me. Lester said vantine. and
e looked at me earnestly. do you
mink that poor devil came in here just
, get u chance TO kill himself quietly?"
No. I don't" | said.
Then what did he come in for?" :
Il think Goldberger's theory pref :,
: good one-tbat he had heard of you =
u generous fellow and came in here y
ask help and while he was waiting =
M faraIv 1qva if NM