The Washington herald., 1915-12-19

Snau receive my ice, neVcrthcicSs!
At the end of the court a cab was
waiting. We entered the cab. My
last impression of the place was de-
rived from the invisible parrot, who
gave us goodbye with:
Morris Klaw! Morris klaw! The
devils come for youp
As we drove stationward, Grims-
by, his eyes rarely leaving the
piquant face OF Isis Klaw, outlined
the history OF the Crcspie family to
the silent Morris. In brief, it was
this:
The late Sir Richard Crespie, hav-
ing become involved in serious mon
etary difficulties, employed such
methods OF drowning his sorrows as
were far from conducive to do
meStic felicity, and, after a certain
Unusually violent outburst, the home
Twas broken up. His son, Roland, was
the first to go, and he took little
with him but his mothers blessing
and his fathers curses. Then Lady
CreSpic went away to her sister IN
London, only surviving her depart
urc from the hall by two years. Alone
and deserted, first by son and then
] by wife, the debauchcd old baronet
continued on his course OF heavy
drinking for some years longer. The
servants left him, one by ono, so
! that ir the end, save Tor faithful old
Ryder, the butler, whose family had
served the Crespic for time imme-
mortal. he had the huge mansion to
himself. Apoplexy closed his unfor-
itunate career, and, since nothing had
been heard of him for years, it was
generally supposed that the son had
met his death in Africa, whence he
had gone on leaving home.
With the passing of Sir Richard,
came Mr.. Isaac Heidelberger. and he
wasted no time in impressing his
noxious personality upon the folks
of Creeping. He was a German,
large and oily, with huge coarse fea-
lures, and little black muStache
that had been assiduously trained in
futile attempt to hide a mouth that
had we'll beftted Nero. A week
after Sir Richards burial, Mr.. Heldel-
berger took possession OF the hall.
The new occupant brought with
him one Heimer, kind Of conflden-
tial clerk, and, old Ryder. the butler,
having been sent about his business,
the two gentlemen proceeded to
make themselves comfortable. The
nature of their business was soon
public property-the grand old hall
was to be turned into a country
mansion for paying guests
Very strained relations existed be-
tween the big man and the ex-butler,
who. having a little money saved, had
settled down in Ctesping. One night,
at the Goblcts-the historic village
nn-Heidelberge having staggered
into the place, there arose an open
quarrel.
1t was exactly a week later that
the tragedy occurred.
The Goblets was just closing its
doors, and the villagers who nightly
met there were standing in group
under the swinging sign, when man
came running down the street from
the direction of the hall, and, observ-
| ing the gathering, ran up. 1t was
Heimer, Isaac Heidelberger's secre-
tary. He was hatless, and his flabby
face, in the dim light, was ghastly.
"Ouick!" he rasped, hoarsely.
Where docs the doctor livc?
Last house but one," somebody
said. whats the matter?"
| "Murderw cried Heimcr, as he
rushed off down the village street.
Such was the dramatic manner in
which the news of the subsequently
notorious case was first carried to
the outside world. The facts, as
soon made known throughout the
length and breadth OF the land, were,
briefly as follows:
Heidelberger and his secretary, who
were engaged in making an inventory
of the contcuts OF the Hall. and IN
arranging for such alterations OF the
rooms and laying out of the neglect
ed grounds as they considered neces--
sary. had practically reached the end
OF their task. In fact. had nothing in
tcrvencd, Crcsping would, on the fol-
lowing day, have seen the old man
sion in the hands Of an army OF work
men.
At about half-past seven in the
evening, Heidclbergcr had entered
the room occupied by Hcimcr, and
| had mentioned that he expected
visitor. The secretary, who had
more work than he could well ac-
icomplish, did not pause to inquire
concerning him, believing the other
to allude either to the architect or TO
Hcidclberger's man, who was com
ling down from London. Hcidel-
berger had then gone up to the IL
brary, saying that he should not re-
quire Heimcr again that night.
| Between eight and half-past-
| Heimer was not sure of the time
| there was a ring at the bell that OF
the tradesmen's entrance). knowing
| that Heidelberger could admit the Wis
| itor directly to the library. Helmer'
hearing nothing more. concluded that
| the two were closeted there.
The first intimation that he re-
| ceived of anything amiss was a loud
and angry cry. apparently proceeding
| from the old banqueting hall directly
| overhead. and unmistakably in the
voice of Heidelberger. SprinGinS from
| his chair. he took a step towards the
door. and then paused in doubt.
| There was an angry murmur from
| above the tones of Heidelberger be
| ing clearly distinguishable: then
| sudden Scufhe. and an oscillation OF
| the floor as though two heavy men
| were at hand grips; next. a crash
| that shook the room, and a high
pitched cry of which he only partially
comprehended the last word. This he
asserted to be holy"
| That Heimer stood transfiXed at the
open door throughout all this suffices
| to brand him a coward. 1t was. in
fact, only his stories of shadowy fig
| ures in the picture gallery and his
l,efn n