The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1922-04-14
True
Detective Stories
MIDNIGHT MURDER

| to go on Is the fact that sew
eral people in Grafton street
recall having heard cry a few nights
| ago. and the old man hasn't been seen
| since?"
That's all. chief If it weren't fol
the scream in the highland they all
agree that it was a blood-curdling cry
1t would look like 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
dered off somewhere to get away from
his wife. She's a 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
dh wy WI lIt IouSt, anu let IIlt 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 go away or something" said the
operative. "There's a dray coming up
now. Wouldn't be surprised If the
woman, alarmed at our shopping
around, Is preparing for getaway"
Kane said nothing, but edged closer
to the house. From the meager infor-
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 1t 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 to close in.
Take that chest back into the |
house." he ordered. Lets see what's
IN itr'
What right have you to give such |
demanded voice from the |
doorway. and the Scotland Yard man.
ooking up, caught glimpse Of a tall.
saunt woman glaring down at him
rom the threshold.
THE right of an officer Of the crown
o investigate suspicious circum-
Stances retorted Kane. 81 happen
o be the chief inspector of Scotland
lard, and, as your husband recently
disappeared, l desire to know what Is
n that box"
1t was in the dim, barely-furnished
'arlor of the house that Kane directed
ne chest to be placed The Pickering
elbow light of single gas Jet cast
ghostly illumination over the scene
nd even Kane's iron nerves were
hooked when the lid of the box was
hrown back. and what appeared to
e ghost sat up and leered out in
the room! 1t was the body Of the
Kissing man, the upper portion of the
runk attached to the lid of the box
such manner that, when the top
as thrown back, the body sprang in
sitting posture, as If it were alive
gain.
Even Mrs. Epstein, hardened as she
as, cried out at the apparition and
zen tainted away.
Quick" directed Kane. Find ont {
DIV the man was killed."
"A thrust Of some long, thin instru.
ent through the heart" reported one {
the detectives. "a drop of blood
his chest is the only indication of
ul play. but that's what did II. all
ght. Not stiletto or dagger.
ough. The puncture isn't large
Tough for that"
The chief inspector examined the
'uhd Tor a moment carefully. and
en-, stepping across to where the
hitting woman lay, began to tumble
TN something In her hair.
Throw some water In her face.
ordered. land then stand back.
mt to find out something before she
Is chance to recover her nerve"
AS the woman's eyes opened. she be-
me aware, first, of the body of her
AL husband staring at her with sight
's' accusing eyes. Then she saw the
lef inspector, standing In front Of
r. examining under a pocket magni-
hg glass-something that shone
d glittered in the light of the let di. /,
lily above 1t.
An instant later Kane stood over
r his finger indicating the thing he
a in his hand
why did you kill your husband at
might, four days agoT" he demand.
Yes, you did There's no usa
'ying it! We have witnesses who
lrd the scream. We have proof that
were alone in the house with him. 4
Know that he had a considerable I
n OF money concealed ON the prem.
and'-here his voice became tho