New Britain herald., 1927-05-12
WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE

Death strikes Garrett Folsom while bathing at Ocean Town. \. J After being perfunctorily examined by a doctor. the body is brought to the Hotel Majusaca, where an in quiry is started.
 Folsom's bathing companions had been Roger Neville, Mrs. Helen Barnaby, and Carmelita Valdon. lt is established that Folsom, just be- fore his death, had been standing next to Ned Barron, known as the copper king.
 Then the startling announcement is made that Folsom had been stabbed to death in the water. Ross his valet, is questioned. as are Bar ron and his wife. but no light is shed on the mystery.
 Anastasia Folsom, eccentric and masterful sister of the dead man, arrives and takes command. At the inquest it is established that the death weapon vas a pichaq. an ori- sntal knife. and that it and it's scab- bard had been purchased on the boardwalk.
 Some suspicion attaches 10 one Croydon Sears, who is a collector of curious bladed weapons, and Anastasia asks Titus Riggs an ar chitect. to try to solve the murder. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY CHAPTER NN
 That's all right. then" said An astasia Folsom to Riggs. we'll waste no more time over It just now. First of all. have you the slightest idea of any individual whom you consider responsible for my brothers death ?'
 "Eo, I haven't, except to Say that any one near him in the ocean that morning might be the mur- derer."
 But We can't hale 10 court all the bathers in the ocean at that time. We must get at it some other way"
 And perhaps the logical way Is through the motive
 "Now that's sensible remark. Of course we must work through the motive. And that's just what I can't conceive of. How could any one want to kill my brother? !? Why. Garrett was the best man in the world. The finest charac- ter. the kindest, dearest brother!'
 Now. now, dear lady. I make all allowances for the devotion of an atfectionate sister but you mustn't idealize the man."
 But it's true. Every one who knew him will tell you the same. He was a remarkable mana man of a thousand"
 Titus Riggs had heard much about Garrett Folsom since the un- fortunate mans death. and most of what he had heard was greatly at variance with his sisters opin- ions. Yet he felt hesitancy about disturbing her ideals too rudely.
 So he only said:
 Tt stands to reason, Miss Fol- som, that somebody must have looked upon your brother with q less kindly eye than your own. Unless Mr. Folsom was killed by mistake"
 Do you think that probable?"
 Frankly I don't. Though it is possible. But if we're to find out the truth we can't depend on i'm aginings or vague suppositions. We must get down to facts. To true evidence and proved testi- mony."
 That's just it." and Anasta- sia's face frightened. But. so far as I can see, we have no evil .dence and no testimony of any ac- count"
 That's pretty nearly true. First of all. what about the man, Ross? Is he absolutely unsuspectable?
 Absolutely. I wish. in one way. I could suspect Ross. l mean 1t would be a logical way to look. But he can't possibly be at fault. He is utterly respectable and quiet lived: he has always been devoted to Garrett's well-being. and he is, in all respects. the ideal servant, with no underhanded ways or ul- terior motives"
 Docs he gain anything from MT. Folsom's will?"
 There is a bequest to him of thousand dollars. But that would never tempt him to murder his master, for I happen to know Ross has a good sized bank account of his own. My brother gave him generous salary. and paid all his living expenses, even to clothes and a small motor car. No. Ross had nothing to gain by Garrett's death, and much to lose."