Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-03
UNDERGROUND s 5Gx5 s sss
81 J.JEFFERsoN FARJEoN


! vanced, and peered down. His ex-
preston, which had previously been
rather c~ynically buoyant, became in
stantly grave.
That's bad" he said.
Very" agreed Rupert. we were
wondering how he got there"
"On the fact OF It." answered the
old man. "he appears TO have drunk
himself to death. ! suppose, by the
way, he Is dead?"
His head Is under water. I've ex-
amnied him. Yes-he's dead"
But, Of course" went on Brill, 1T
might be-foul play"
Rupert glanced at ~Joscelyn. who
stood calmly silent. hiding whatever
she may have been feeling. Then
he turned again to the old man.
What makes you suggest that?"
he demanded.
II don't know that I suggest IT,"
responded Brill, with a slight shrug
or his shoulders. Say, rather. that
I mention IL. Tell me to think Of q
number. and I say sever. I don't
suggest even. / mention seven.
There are plenty Of other numbers"
Then Ill put IL another way"
said Rupert. do you believe It's
foul play?"
do I believe it is foul play7 HIM.
/ am asked to make up my mind
rather quickly. I come upon a body
in a ditch. and In the first two min
- @~ml - N~ww~ w~~mA
an opinion" He stared down at the
lifeless form. IT believe the poor
fellow is dead. And 1t certainly may
have been foul play"
We'll, I have been here more than
two minutes. Mr.. Brill, and ! believe
1t to be foul play"
Indeed? You have some reason,
perhaps?"
Rupert hesitated. and II was JOS
celyn who answered.
THE water Is discolored," she
said. quietly.
Eyes. So I note" nodded Brill.
But he may have hit his head
against something In falling"
Its a soft bank. There are no
stones, or tree stumps.' she pointed
out. and Simon Brill smiled.
you are an exceedingly observant
young lady" he remarked. Exceed
ingly observant. Well. since we all
seem to be intelligent people here
and since, OF course. what we think
or say Is of no real importance be-
fore the police take the matter up
they will have to be notified. OF
course-I will tell you what 7 think.
Yes, in this short space of time. !
certainly think 1t Is O case OF foul
play. Murder Is an unpleasant word
but ! fear that 1t will have TO DC
used in this case"
so you formed your opinion In
those two minutes, after all" said
Rupert. striving to keep his dislike
of the old man out Of his tone. us
that Just your quick judgment-or
due to some other cause?"
"A shrewd question. my friend"
answered Brill. a shrewd question.
I hope my judgment Is quick, but
yes, there is some other cause for my
opinion"
"Can we know it?"
"You are going to know itl' His
voice was suddenly acid. The rea-
son is that I am not at all satisfied
with matters in this neighborhood.
I am not in the least satisfied. And
II we all get murdered here some
day. IL will hardly surprise me-"
Whats wrong with the neighbor-
hood?" inquired Rupert, as casually
as he could.
Everything" retorted Brill.
Healthy young men pottering about
enervating villages, and having bi-
cycle accidents"
"Eh?" jerked Charlie. SUDDENLY re-
membering that he was a live per-
son. and not a block Of wood.
And pretty girls wasting their
summer days away from tennis
courts and rivers and fashionable
parades," he went on.
"Are those insinuations. Mr..
Brill?" exclaimed Rupert. frowning.
mo. They are observations. OF
no Importance. II you think them Of
no Importance. But. 7 confess. fool
ish young people are not my greatest
concern I do not insinuate that any
foolish young person murdered that