The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1914-12-17
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
THE HOUR AND MINUTE
BY GEORGE MUNsoN.


the situation. as she outlined II to him
in the parlor OF the lonely little coun
try house:
There were three brothers, Henry,
James and Charles. The two elder
ones we're unmarried The father had
left his money equally among the
three, but. after the two elder ones
were dead, II was all To vest in the
youngest, Charles II he died child
less. II was TO be divided equally be-
tween the widow and Stephen Barnes.
a step-brother by a second marriage,
whom old Harrington had hated.
Stephen was a ne'erdo.well and held
a position az a jewelers. assistant in
the little nearby town.
Three months previously, at 1887
the body OF the eldest brother had
been found. blown to pieces. upon the
footpath Of a held leading from the
town TO his home, The time Of his
death was indicated by his watch,
which was found fairly intact beside
him. Whether he had been the vic
tim OF an assassin's bomb or what
had happened nobody could ascertain
After some weeks OF investigation the
matter ceased 10 be one OF immediate
public interest
Exactly two months later the SEQ
ond brother died A violent explosion
shook the house in which the family
lived. The body OF James was found
In his bed, with a gaping wound In
the abdomen The evidence given by
Mary Harrington at the inquest
showed that he died at Ave minutes
past one.
That was all. except that Charles
was momentarily expecting the same
fate.
Singleton thought for about eight
minutes, resting motlonless in his
chair,
win you let me nee your watchH"
he asked OF Charles at the end OF that
period.
Charles Harrington gave him his
watch. Singleton took on the case
and examined II under a microscope.
You haven't had II regulated late
iy?" he asked
mo II Is strange you should ask
me that. because my step-brother
stephen Ia always anxious to regu-
late It for nothing when | 90 into
the shop"
"Ahl You don't suspect him Of
completely In this affair."
Good heavens. mo-" answered
| Charles Harrington.
He had regulated your brothers
watches before the murder OF each?"
Now, that Is odd" answered
Charles. He certainly had, but you
don't suggest there was a bomb In.
side the watch OF Henry or James,"
Hardly" answered Singleton,
However--suppose you take your
watch to stephen and let him regu-
late IT, Arrange to call for It at 5;15
tho store doesn't close TIL six. l
supposed"
The day arranged was Ave ahead.
At the appointed hour Charles HarN
rington duly met Singleton outside
the jewelers. shop, He accosted him.
but Singleton only stared at him
hlankiy
II am afraid you have the advantage
Of me. sir" he answered
Charles remembered and went in.
singleton. following. saw q pale-faoed.
neager,looklng man. with a turtive ex.
preston. standing behind the counter.
We'll. I've got your watch ready,
Charley" he said and, opening q
drawer. he handed II 20 him, What
can do for you. SIR" he continued
to the detective
The detective took the watch from
Charles Harringtons hands
Charley" burst out stephen. Il for
cot something WIN you let me keep
your watch TIL tomorrow Ter"
The clocks in the shop pointed to
20 minutes past the hour
Singleton laid the watch down on
the counter. but kept his hand over II.
stephen grabbed AZ II. and Singleton
grabbed stephen by the collar
Games up he said briefly With
the other hand he turned the watch
over Hold him Mr. Harrington un,
al stop the internal thing. he said
( re NheNNu tue case anu atupped tHN
watch. twisting the hairsprinE into q
mass OF tangled wire Then he
opened the glass,
Look AZ the minute hand" he said
10 the ieweler
TT looks kind OF dirty " said the old
man "Rut what--what--"
What Ia its illuminate Of iodide
and the most violent explosive known
In four minutes this tiny mass pasted
under the minute hand would have
caught the hour hand, and then--well,
you can guess What would have hap
poned hut the cunnlngest murderer
always leaves a trail, and he left his
lin the fact that hiE two victims
died when the hands were together
III take this a. evidence"
"He lies' He said he waS a col
leetor." gasped the trembling man
Precisely" answered Singleton
opening his coat and displaying an
oficer's badge Y have Just been
made = special police oficer IN this
/ g.