Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-03-25
True
Detective Stories
MIDNIGHT MURDER

erdI people IN Grafton street
recall having heard a cry few nights
ago, and the old man hasn't been seen
SINGER"
That's all, chief If it weren't for
the scream in the highland they all
agree that it was a blood-curdling cry
lit would look like a plain case of dis
appearance. We've been all through
the house. but of course we couldn't
search it thoroughly without a regular
warrant, and there's no ground for is
suing one Epstein may have wan
derpd Off somewhere to get away from
his wife. Shes a regular heIion. they
say-though she was nice as pie TO
us"
John Kane, chief Inspector of Scot
land Yard, rubbed his chin thought
fully.
I'm take run down to Grafton
street myself as soon as I have got
ten these reports ont OF the way
stated Kane. In the meantime keep
an eve on the house, and let me know
If 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 go away or something" said the
operative. There's drav coming up
now. Wouldn't be surprised If the
woman, alarmed at our shopping
around, is preparing for a getaway"
Kane said nothing hut edged closer
to the house. From the meager fnfor-
nation at his disposal he was not at
all inclined to credit the theory that
crime had been committed. But
there would be no harm In looking
things over, particularly If 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 to be shipped across the chan
mel The tags were on the various
articles, and it was not until the last
piece was brought out Of the house
that Kane noted anything ont Of the
ordinary Then he motioned TO his
men to close in.
Take that chest back into the
house." he ordered. Lets see what's
in it"
what right have you to give such
orders?" demanded a voice from the
doorway, and the Scotland Yard man,
looking up, caught glimpse Of tall,
gaunt woman glazing down at him
from the threshold
"The right Of an officer Of the crown
to investigate suspicious circum-
stances" retorted Kane. 81 happen
TO be the chief inspector Of Scotland
Yard, and, as your husband recently
disappeared, l desire to know what is
in that box"
II was i'm the dim. barely-furnlshed
parlor Of the house that Kane directed
the chest TO be placed. The Pickering
yellow light Of a single gas jet cast
a ghostly illumination over the scene,
and even Kane's iron nerves were
shocked when The lid of the box was
thrown back, and what appeared to
be a ghost sat up and leered out in
to the room It was the body of the
missing man the upper portion of the
trunk attached to the lid of the box
in such a manner that. when the top
was thrown back, the body sprang in
to a sitting posture. as if it we're alive
again.
Even Mrs. Epstein, hardened as she
was, cried out at the apparitlon and
then tainted away
Quick !" directed Kane. Find out
how the man was killed."
a thrust of some long, thin instru-
ment through the heart" reported one
of the detectives. "A drop of blood
on his chest is the only Indication Of
foul play, but that's what did it, all
right. Not a stiletto 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
fainung woman lay, began to tumble
with something In her hair
Throw some water in her face y
he ordered. "and then stand back. l
want TO lind out something before she
gets a chance to recover her nerve.
AS the woman's eyes opened, she be-
came aware. first, Of the body Of her
dead husband stirring at her with sight
less. accusing eyes. Then she saw the
chief inspector, standing in front of
her. examining under q pocket magni-
fving glass something that shone
and gllttered in the light Of the jet d.
rectly above it.
An instant later Kane stood over
her. his finger indicating the thing he
held In his hand.
''Why did you KIN your husband at
midnight. four days agof" he demand
ed. yes. you did There's no use
denying it,. We have witnesses who
heard the scream. We have proof that
YOU were alone in the house with him.
we know that he had q considerable
sum Of money. concealed on the prem
ises and''-here his voice became tie
b h.1 ken 7Ht.