Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-02-04
True
Dete Tive Stories
MIDN ST MURDER


Copyright by The Wheeler syndicate. Inc
6xTTHEN the only t:ling you have
to go on Is the fact that sew
cral people In Grafton street
recall having heard cry a few nights
ago. and the old man hasn't been seen
slnce?"
That's all, chief. II II weren't for
the scream In the highland they all
agree that II was blood-curdlng cry
lit would look like plain case of dis
appearance. We've been all through
the house but of course we couldn't
search II thoroughly without regular
warrant. and there's no ground for is
suing one. Epstein may have wan
dcred of somewhere To get away from
his wife. She's regular hellion. they
say-though she was nice as pie to
u.s."
John Kane. chief inspector of Scot
land Yard, rubbed his chin thought
fully.
I'll take run down to Grafton
street myself as soon as have got
ten these reports out of the way.
stated Kane. In the meantime keep
an eye on the house. and let me know
II anything develops"
When Kane approached the house on
Grafton street later In the evening.
one of his men reported that there
were indications of activity inside the
place.
Looks like they were getting ready
to 20 away or something" said the
operative. There's IL dray coming up
now. Wouldn't he surprised If the
woman. alarmed at our shopping
around. Is preparing for getaway"
Kane said nothing, but edged closer
10 the house. From the meager infor-
nation nj his disposal. he was not ut
all inclined 10 credit the theory that
a crime had been committed. But
there would be no harm IN looking
things over. particularly IL Mrs Ep-
stein was intending TO move.
From the driver of the dray. Kane
obtained the information that the lug
gage was To be taken to Charing Cross
thence Ia be shipped across the chan
mel The tags were on the varions
articles. and II was not until the last
piece was brought out of the house
that Kane noted anything out Of the
ordinary. Then he motioned TO his
men 10 close In.
Take that chest back into the
- #lssNf.
in il -
what right have you to give such
orderS;" demanded voice from the
doorway, and the Scotland Yard man.
looking up. caught Il glimpse Of II tall.
gaunt woman glaring down at him
from the threshold.
The right of an officer of the crown
TO investigate suspicious circuin-
stances" retorted Kane 81 happen
30 he the chief inspector Of Scotland
Yard. and, as your husband recently
Disappeared. i desirc ia know what il
In that box"
II was in the dim. barely-furnished
parlor Of the house that Kane directed
the chest 10 be placed. The pickering
yellow light Of u single gas JET east
u ghostly Illumination over the scene
and even kanes iron nerves were
shocked when the lid of the box was
thrown back. and what appeared 10
he II ghost sat up and leered out In
to the room. II was the body of the
missing man. the upper portion Of the
trunk attached to the lid of the box
In such manner that. when the top
was thrown back the body sprang in
To sitting posture. as If II were alive
again.
Even Mrs. Epstein. hardened as she
was. cried out AT the apparition and
then tainted away.
Quick, :" directed Kane. Find out
how the man was killed."
"A thrust of some long. thin instru-
meni through the heart" reported one
81 the detectives. a drop Of blood
on his chest Is the only indication Of
foul play. but that's what did il. all
right Not stileito or a dagger.
though. The puncture isn't large
enough for that"
The chief inspector examined the
wound for a moment carefully. and
then. stepping across TO where the
fainting woman lay began Ia fumbl.
with something In her hair.
Throw some water ia her face"
he ordered, and then stand back.
want 10 find out something before she
gets chance Ia recover her nerve.
As the woman's eyes opened. sh" he
came aware. first. of the body Of her
dead husband staring M her with sight
less. accusing eyes. Then she saw the
chief Inspector. standing In front of
her examining under a pocket magni
/ fying glass-S0mething that sh0nS
and gitiered IN the light Of the jet di
recily above IL.
An instant later Kane stood over
her. his finger indicating the thing he
held in his hand.
"Why did you Kill your husband al
/ midnight fuur DAYS agof" he demand