Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-17
TIMES. REPUBLICAN,. MARsHAlLrowN IOWA, MAY IL 1920

ing the fire. Paroles drew o. deep
breath.
"Now you'll see." he said.
Doctor Groom shrank against the
wall again. After moment, with
tho motions Of one drawn by stn out
side will, he approached the figure
at the fireplace. Then Bobby saw,
and he heard Katherine's choked
scream. For now that bis grand
fathers back was turned there was
plainly visible on the white Of the
collar, near the base of the brain. a
scarlet stain. And the hair above 1t
was matted.
That's what I meant" Paroles
whispered.
Graham moved back.
Good God!"
Robinson stared. The feer had
found him. too.
Doctor Groom touched Blackburn
shoulder tentatively.
whats the matter with the back
of your neck7"
Blackburn drew fearfully away. He
raised his hand and fumbled at the
top Of his collar. He held his fingers
to the freight.
why" he said blankly. II been
bleeding back there
To an extent the doctor controlled
himself.
''Sit down here, Silas Blackburn"
he said. II want to get the laInplight
on your head"
Il amt badly hurt?" Blackburn
whined.
II don't know" the doctor answer
ed. Heaven knows"
Blackburn sat down. The light
shone full on the stained collar and
the dark patch of hair at the base of
the brain. Doctor Groom examined
the wound infinitely. He straighten-
ed. He spoke unsteadily:
1T is healed wound. 1T was
made by something sharp"
Robinson thrust his hands in his
pockets.
you're getting beyond my depths.
doctor. Bring him up to the old
bedroom. want him to see that pill
low"
But Blackburn covered in his chair.
II won't go to that room again.
They don't want me there. TIL have
work started in the cemetery tomor-
row."
"Mr. Blackburn" Robinson said.
1.-THE man we buried In the cemetery
today, the man these members of
your family identify as yourself, died
Of just such wound as the doctor
says has healed in your head
Blackburn covered farther in his
chair.
You're making fun OF me-" he
whimpered. You're trying to scare
an old man."
No." Robinson said. How was
that wound made?"
The crouched figure wagged its
head from side to side
II don't know. Nothing touched
me there. ! remember l had IA head
ache when woke up. Why doesn't
Groom tell me why slept SO long,
Il only know" Groom rumbled.
that the wound examined lpstairs
must have caused instant death"
Paroles whispered to him. The
doctor nodded reluctantly.
What do you mean?" Blackburn
cried. You trying to tell me can't
stay with, your Co.,
He pointed to ParedeA
That's what he said-that might
have to- go back. but never heard
of such thing. I'm all right. My
neck doesn't hurt. I'm alive l tell
you I'm alive. I'll teach you
Rawlins returned from tile tele-
phone.
His story's straight" he said in
his crisp manner. 1--WE been talking
to Waters himself. Says Mr. Black
burn turned up about $3.50. looking
queer and acting queer. Wouldn't
shake hands, just as he says. He
went to the spare room and slept
practically oil the time until this aft
ernoon. No food. Waters couldn't
rouse him. Mr.. Blackburn uouldn't
answer at all or else seemed halt
asleep. He'd made up his mind to
call in doctor this afternoon. Then
Mr.. Blackburn seemed all right
again, and started home"
Robinson gazed at the fire.
whats to be done now, STRIP
Rawlins asked.
Find the answer II we can" Rob-
inson said.
Paroles spoke as softly as he had
done the other night while ,,ecitine
his sensitive reaction to the Cedars
gloomy atmosphere. Only now his
voice wasn't cropping.
call me dreamer II YOU want
Mr.. District Attorney, but [ have
given you the only answer. This
mans soul has dwelt in two places
Robinson grinned.
I'm going slow on calling any
body names, but I haven't forgotten
that there's been another crime in
this house. Howells was killed In
that room, too. would like to be-
lieve he could return as Mr.. Black
burn has"
Blackburn looked up.
whats that? Who's Howells?"
And as Robinson told him of the
second crime he sank back in his
chair again, whimpering from time &c
time. His fear was harder to watch
might I suggest" Graham said
shat Howslls isn't out of the case
yet? It would be worth looking into.
by all means" Robinson agreed.
Rawlins coughed alphabetically.
II asked them about that at the
office. Howells was taken to his
home In Boston today. The funerals
to be tomorrow"
"Then.". Robinson said. 1--WE re con-
fined for the present to this end Of
the case. The facts have tell me
that two murders have been com.
mittsd in this house. 1t is still my
first duty to convict the guilty man.
Graham indicated the huddled
fpl~htAvAA ff0nro in <ha oho{v