Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-12
XXI.

on the crime.
XII.
FLEMING STONE.
Eyes. 1 have often heard the idea
expressed that the, more bizarre the
of the mystery. And this Is frequent
ly true"
Fleming Stone looked from one to
another of the interested group OF
listeners They sat in the library
Pauline. Anita, Gray Haviland and
the young detective, Hardy.
Haviland had carried out his plan
of cabling Darlington Loria, for au-
thority to employ Mr.. Stone, and had
deceived a reply to use his own judg-
ment in all such matters and charge
the expense to Loria's account.
Pauline had been opposed to the
idea of calling Fleming Stone to>the
case. but as she seemed unable to put
had insisted until she gave her con-
sent. So arrangements had been
quickly made, and the great\Detecti
had reached Garden Steps on Wednes-
day afternoon. just a week after the
discovery of the murder.
Previously unacquainted with
Stone. the whole household was in
terested in his personality, and this
preliminary conversation was by way
of introduction.
A man of nearly fifty. Fleming
Stone was tall and well proportioned,
with a carriage and bearing that gave
an impression of strength. His clear
u face and firm jaw gave, the same
character indications as are seen in
portraits of Lincoln, but his features
were FAR more harmonious than those
of u rugged-faced president.
Stones hair. thick and dark, was
slightly grayed at the temples. and
his deep-set ~ were now lustrous.
M again, shadowed, like the water
of a dark pool. His lean jaw and
forceful mouth made his face in re-
pose somewhat stern. but this effect
was often banished by his delightful
smile. which softened his whole
countenance and gave him a distinct
air of friendliness.
His manner was full of. charm. and
even Pauline became fascinated as
she watched him and listened To his
talk.
Fully at ease and skilfully directing
the conversation, while he seemed
merely sharing it, Stone was studying
and classifying the new elements with
which he had to deal. Not vet had he
inquired as to the details of the case
in hand, he was discussing detective
work in general, much to the graft
tication- of Tom Hardy. who listened
as a pupil at the feet Of Gamaliel.
Yves" went on Stone. settling back
socially in his asy chair, while the
informal postures, Yes, bizarre eff
fects do often point the way to a sue
cessful quest. Why. once, a man was
found dead, with his feet in a tub Of
cold water. 1t was discovered that
his feet had been immersed after
death had taken place. Obviously the
tub of water had been used as a blind.
to fog up the case. But the very
character of the clue led at once to a
man who was known as a cold water
fend.' and a fend indeed he was. He
clever. but not clever enough. He
had wit enough to think of the queer
circumstance of the tub of water, but
not enough to realize that the clue
would lead directly to his own n
doing"
Everybody looked thoughtful. but
it was Hardy who spoke: Yes. MI.
Stone" he said. "but that clue was
put there on purpose. Do you think
these strange effects connected with
Miss Carrington's murder were de-
liberately arranged?"
THAT I can't tell now, MI. Hardy.
In fact, I have not heard a connected
and circumstantial account Of the dis
coveries, as yet. Suppose we go yer
the case. leisurely. and let me get a
complete count by means Of a gen.
erah conversation. I will ask ques-
tons, or o may volunteer informa-
ton, as seems most enlightening. Tell
me first Of the character and char
acteristics of Miss Darlington. Wa
she timid, or fearful 6f burglars?"
'"Not at ALL" said Haviland. "she
was careful to have the house locked
up at night by the servants, but she
had no burglar alarms or anything Of
that sort"
IF a marauder had appeared,
would she have been likely 10 scream
out in alright" +
NO, I don't think TO-" volunteered
Anita. "She. Would more likely de-
mand to know what he wanted and
order him out"
"Yet the blackjack clearly indi-
Gates a burglar" went on Stone; II
can't imagine an ordinary citizen, of
any calling. owning or using such a
weapon" 4
Have you examined the thing?"
asked Hayiland.
mo; 1 SHOULD like to see It,"
Tom Hardy at once produced It,
having brought 1t with him from Po-
lice Headquarters for the purpose.
Him." said Fleming Stone, as he
fingered the not very alarming look
ing affair. In fact, It was merely a
long. narrow bag, made Of dark cloth
and filled with shot. The bag was
tied tightly at one end with a bit of
twine to prevent the escape Of the
contents.
"Home-made AFFAIR" stone went
on. Made probably by a profession
al burglar. but an amateur murderer.
See. 1t 10 merely a bit OF heavy cloth,
U from. an old coat sleeve or trouser.
leg, sewed UP in q bungling manner
to make a bag. 1t IL stitched with
coarse black thread and the stitch9s
are drawn hard and Am, evidently
pulled through ~ strong hand.
Then, filled with shot, It is tied With
a BIT Of old hsh line, which also IL
pulled and knotted by muscular
fingers. And Stone paused abb
ruptly.