Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-30
CHAPTER 1x-(continued.)

nS-th cord old not cut the IleSn.
The blood, then, must have come from
the murderer. He must have been in
jured in some way-bleeding ~profusely.
Look at this handkerchief-it is fairly
soaked"
l am sure that. at that instant, the
same thought was in Godfrey's mind
which flashed through mine, for our
eyes met, II there was a shadow IN
his which l knew my own reflected.
Then l glanced at Human. He was
looking at the handkerchief thought
fully, his lips tightly closed. ! could
guess what he was thinking. but he
said nothing.
Goldberger laid the handkerchief on
the table, at last, and turned back to
the body. He bent close about it, eX-
aiming the blood spots, and when he
stood erect again there was in his face
a strange excitement.
Lend me you glass, S%immonds," he
said, and when SimmondS handed him
a small pocket magnifying glass, he
again, s~crutinizing each in turn. At
last he closed the glass with an en-
phatic little snap. This case isn't go
ing to be sc difficult, after ALL" he
said. Those spots are finger Srints.'
With an exclamation OF ~sonls
ment, Simmonds took the glass and
examined the stains; then he handed
it to Godfrey. who finally passed it on
to me. Looking through it, l saw h a
Goldberger was right. The stains had
been made by human fingers. Most of
them were mere smudges, but here and
there was II on which faint lines
could be dimly traced.
They're plenty clear enough for our
purpose said Goldberger; besides
they will come out much clearer in
photographs. It's lucky this stuff is
so smooth and closely woven" he ad-
ded, lingering Il corner Of the robe, or
we wouldn't have got even those. It's
as hard and fine as silk"
'How do you suppose those marks
came there, Mr.. Goldberger" Godfrey
asked, and there was in his tone a po-
lite scepticism which evidently an
noyed the coroner.
Why, there's only one way they
could come there" G~oldberSer as
wered impatiently. They were put
there by the murderer's fingers as lie
drew the cord tight. Do you see any
thing improbable in that"
Only that it seems too good to be
true" Godfrey answered, quietly, and
Goldberger, after looking at him a mo-
ment, turned away with a shrug of the
shoulders.
"See if you can get the cord loose,
Simmonds,' he said.
The cord was in the form
of a running moose, which had
Deen knOIIeu 10 ilOlu II III plaC1
after being drawn tight. AL
though it had no: cut the flesh of tho
neck, it had sunk deeply into it, anG
Simmonds worked at the knot for some
moments without result. [ suspect
his fingers were not quite as steady as
they might have been; but it was evil
IDENTIFY an intricate knot.
That's q new one on me- he said
at last. Il can't get it loose
Godfrey bent close above it anC
looked at it.
1T is a peculiar knot" he agreed
IF you'll permit u suggestion, MIR
Goldberger, you'n cut the cord anc
leave the knot as it is. 1t may help Us
to find the man who made it,
Your right agreed Goldberger
promptly. Cut the cord, simmonds.'
Simmonds got out his pocket knife
opened it and slipped the blade under
the cord. He look ed at it n moment
and then handed it to Goldberger. The
latter examined it carefully.
It's stained with blood, too" he re.
marked, and passed it on to Godfrey.
1T looks like curtain cord Godfrey
said. and made Il little tour of tn;
room. Ali" he added, after a moment
fro mthe door opening into the grounds
See here!"
He was holding up the end of thu
cord by which the curtains covering tn,
upper part Of the double doors were
controlled.
You were right, Mr.. Coroner" h,
said, in thinking that the murderer en-
tered by this door, for he stopped her,
and cut off a piece of this cord befor,
going int the room."
Then he must also AVE stopped II
make it into a moose remarked Gold
berger. IF he did that, he was Ger.
tainly a cool customer. It's a wonde
his victim didn't hear the noise h,
made"
Making a knot isn't a noisy opera
ton" Godfrey pointed out; besides
the back of the chair was toward TIL
door. And then, of course, it's possible
his victim did hear him.
But then he would nave jumped
from the chair" objected Simmonds.
Not necessarily. Suppose you wer
sitting there, and heard a noise, am
looked around and saw me standing
here, you wouldn't jump from the chat,
would you?'
No; I'd have no reason to jurnI
from you"
Perhaps Vaughan thought he ha,
no reason to jump from the man h
saw-if he saw nyone I'm inclined t
think, however. that he didn't suspec
anyone else was in the room until IL
felt the cord about his throat"
And, Of course said Goldbergel
taking the cord again and looking a
II, II WAS Willie I1G ufQefG wa
making it into a moose with his blood
stained fingers that he stained it l.
that way. Don't YOU agree, Mr.. God
frey?"
THAT is a possible explanation,
Godfrey conceded.
But why did he make this secont
knot?" inquired the coroner; the kno
which holds the moose tight and pre-
vents it from slipping?"
IF he hadn't knotted it like that h
would have had to stand there holdin
it until his victim was dead. AS it wa.
he didn't have to wait"
I shivered a little at the thought Q
the scoundrel calmly tying the knot t
secure his moose. n then leaving hi
victim to witch his life out.
It's no little trick to tie a knot Xix
that" Godfrey added, thoughtfully. "
should like to study it."
All right" agreed Goldberger, "yo
can have 1t whenever you want it," an
he got a heavy manila envelope out Q
his pocket and placed the cord care
fully inside. Now we must get tina
robe off. We can't run any risk Q
having those finger prints smeared."
1t was a difficult job and a revolt
ing one, for the body had stiffened int
It's huddled posture. but at last tn
robe was removed and the body itse!
lying at full length on it's back on tn