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4 E TTEARST’S SUNDAY AMERICAN. ATLANTA, HA., SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1313. SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTER^. T HE ht»nd r^ti1»l*nr« of P!!n* Vm Bumnm In Gnunerry Fark a-djolna that of Miwn Amelia Bntterworth a lady of Indepordent niMn* and *p1rit, who tella'the atory At midnight, paering through her cnrtalna, Miaa Bntterworth eras a rah drWe up with a young man and woman, who enter the Van Burnam liouee. Ten minutes later she aeea the young man leare the house alone and walk rapidly away. Knowing the house to ha vacant, owing to the ahaenro of Silas A an Burnam In Europe, this midnight incident astonishes Mias Bntterworth Next morning she is present when a policeman, summoned hv Mrs Boppert, a acnih woman, discovert the dead body of a young woman lying under a heavy piece of fallen furniture. Detective Oryre, nurnmoned frotn Police Headquar ters. arrives with a physician. Miss Bntterworth tells of the midnight incident the jonnr woman's companion seemed t-n reeenhh* one of the Van Burnam sons—- Franklin or Howard. the latter nnderatood to he estranged from his family, owing to an unanitable mar riage, and spending the summer with his bride In Con nectlcut. Tt was Franklin Van Burnam who spent bis nights at Dong Branch who had sent Mra. Boppert to make the house ready for his father and sisters, arriv ing to-day. A clock which had fallen with the cab! net under which the dead girl lay had stopped at three minutes to five. The rabinvt being raised. Miss Bntterworth sees that tha body is clothed In a new, blue serge dress, and that the hat - lying crushed under IV—has been worn but once, revealing but one prick of a hatpin. Franklin Van Burnam arrives and soon his father. There la mystery In their muttered mention of "How ard.'' Miss Bntterworth also secs mystery in the men ncr of Mrs. Boppert, the scrub woman. A crowd gath ers Miss Bntterworth invites the Van Burnam daugh ters to her house. From her window- just as the body of the dead girl is basing carried out to an ambulance she sees Howard Van Burnam drive up. His face Is ghastly white. The desd woman's features being rrnshv.d out of recognition and her clothing being now and unfamiliar, noward deniee that she was his wife Miss Butterworih finds the head of the broken hatpin with which the victim was stabbed to rival h Detective Oryce finds another hat in the house much more expensive than the one worn by the murdered woman. At the inquest the landlady of the Howard Van Htirnams at Haddam, Conn., testifies that tho,young wife left alone for New York, In an attempt to win the favor of her father In law on hla arrival from Europe (Continued From Lest Sunday.) “No; It was of too untempered stool to hare boon manufactured for any thrusting or cut. ting pnrposos. It was of the commonest kind, and had broken short off In the wound. It was the end only that I found.” “Have von this end with you—the point, I moan—which you found Imbedded at the base of the dead woman's brain7’ "! have, sir.” and he handed It over to the jury. As they passed it along, the Coroner re marked : “Later we will show you the remaining por tion of (lie Instrument of death,” which did not tend to allay the general excitement. See ing this. I lie Coroner humored the growing In terest by pushing on Ids inquiries. ••Doctor.” he asked, "are you prepared to Ray how long a time elapsed between the In fliction of llils fatal wound and those which disfigured her?” "No, sir. not exactly; but some little time." Some little time, when the murderer was in the house only Ion minutes! All looked their surprise, and, ns If the Coroner had divined this feeling of general enrlosity, he leaned for ward and emphatically repeated : “More than ten minutes?” The doctor, who had every appearance of realizing the Importance of his reply, did not hesitate. Evidently his mind was quite made up. "Tes: more than ten mlnntes. ” This was the shock I received from his tes timony. 1 remembered what the clock had revealed to me. but T did not move a muscle of my fnce. 1 was learning self-control under these repeated surprises. “This Is an unexpected statement,” remarked the Coroner. “What reasons have you to urge in explanation of it?" “Very simple and very well-known 'ones; at least, among the profession. There was too little blood seen for the wounds to have been inflicted before death or within a few mlnntes after it. Had the woman been living when they were made, or even had she t>een but a short time dead, the floor would have been . deluged with blood gushing from so many and 1 * such serious injuries. Rut the effusion was slight, so slight that I noticed it at once, and came to the conclusions mentioned l>efore I found the mnrk of the stab that oeeasioned death.” When the Coroner again proceeded it was to remark; “The ease is complicated by these discover ies; but we must not allow ourselves to l>e daunted by them. Iel me ask you if you found any marks upon this body which might aid in its identification?” "One: a slight sear on the left nnkle." "What kind of a scar? Doscrilie It.” "It was such as a bnrn might leave. In shape It was long and narrow, ami it ran up the limb from the ankle lame." “Was It on the right foot?” “No; on the loft.” | * "Did you call the attention of any one to this mark during or after your examination?” “Yes; I showed it to Mr. Oryce. the detec tive. and to my two coadjutors; and 1 spoke of it to Mr. Howard Van Rurnam, son of the gen H tIonian in whose house the body was found.” It was the first time this young gentleman's name had been mentioned, and it made my blood run cold to see how many sidelong looks and expressive shrugs it caused in the motley assemblage. Rut 1 had no time for sentiment: the Inquiry was growing too interesting. “And why," asked the Coroner, “did you mention it to this young man in preference to pi tit hers?” i “Because Mr. Cryce requested me to. Re | cause the family as well as the young man himself had evinced some apprehension lest she deceased might prove to be his missing wife, and this seemed a likely way to settle the ques- 11on.” “And did It? Did he acknowledge it to be a mark he remembered to have seen on his wife? 1 ’ “He said she had such a sear, but he would ” not acknowledge the deceased to he his wife.” |! “Did lie see the sear?” “No; he would not look at it.” "Did you invite him to?” "I did; hut he showed no curiosity.” Doubtless thinking that silence would best emphasize this fact, which certainly was an rstonishing one. the Coroner waited a minute. Rut there was no silence. An indescribable murmur from a groat many lips filled up ttie gap. I felt a movement of pity for the proud family whose good name was thus threatened in the person of this young gentleman. "Doctor,” continued the Coroner, as soon as the murmur had subsided, "did you notice the color of the woman's hair?” “It was a light brown.” “Did \«u sever a lock? Have you a sample Jrfj of this hair here to show us?” “I have. sir. At Mr. Cryee's suggestion I cut off two small looks. One I gave him and the other I brought here." 1 "Ia“t me see it?” Tin- doctor passed it up. and In sight of ev il cry one present the Coroner tied n string around H It and attached a ticket to 1t- "Tliat is to prevent all mistakes." explained this very methodical functionary, laying the •< I; aside on the table In front of him. Then he turned again to the witness. “Doctor, we are indebted to you for your valuable testimony, and, as you are a busy i man. wi will now excuse you. Let Dr. Jacobs Ie lie called.” As this gentleman, as well as the witness I™ vlfollowed him, merely corroborated the ^datein. nts of the others, and made it an ac cepted fad that the shelves had fallen upon o Isslx of the girl some time after the first aid hail liecn Inflicted. I will not attempt to 1 r eir testimony The question now aci nus whether they would eudeamr to fix the time at which the shelves fell by the evidence furnished by the clock. CHAPTER VIII. Important Evidence. T,' VIDENTLY not, for the next, words I heard were: “Miss Amelia Butterworth!” * As my examination before the Coroner only brought out the facts already related, I will not burden you with a detailed account of it. One portion alone may he of interest. I was lielng questioned in regard to the appearance of the couple I had seen entering the Van Rurnam mansion, when the Coroner asked If the young woman's step was light or If It be trayed hesitatlop. 1 replied: “No hesitation, she moved quickly, almost gaydy." "And he?" “Was more moderate, hut there is no slg nifiealion In that; he may have been older." “No theories, Miss Butterworth: it is facts we are after. Now, do you know that he was older?" "No, sir.” “Did you get any idea as to his age?" "The Impression ho made was that of being a young man.” “And his height?” “Was medium, and his figure slight and ele gant. He moved as a gentleman moves; of this I can speak with great positiveness.” “Do you think you could identify him, Miss Butterworth. if you should see him?” I hesitated, as I pereelved that the whole swaying mass eagerly awaited my reply. I even turned my head because I saw others doing so; but I regretted this when I found that I, as well as others was glancing toward the door tieyond which the Van Burnams were supposed to sit. To cover up the false move 1 had made—for I had no wish as yet to center suspicion upon anybody I turned my face qntekly hack to the crowd and declared in as emphatic a tone as I could command: “I have thought I could do so if I saw him under the same circumstances as those in which my first Impression was maflo. But lately I have begun to doubt even that. I should never dare to trust to ray memory In this regard." The Coroner looked disappointed, and so did the people around me. “It is a pity,” remarked the Coroner, “that you did not see more plainly. Now, how did these persons gnin an entrance into the house?” I answered in the most succinct way possible. I told them how he had used a door key In entering, of the length of time the man stayed Inside, and of Ids appearance on going away. I also related how I came to call a policeman to Investigate the* matter next day, and cor roborated the statements of this official as to the appearance of the deceased at time of dis covery. The inquiry now took a turn. The name of Miss Ferguson was called. Who was Miss Fer guson? It was a new name to most of us, and lier face when she rose only added to the gen eral curiosity. It was the plainest face Imag inable, yet It was neither a bad nor unintelli gent one. “What Is your full name, and where do you live?” asked the Coroner. ‘jMy name Is Susan Ferguson, and I live in Haddam, Connecticut,” was her reply, uttered in such soft and beautiful tones that every one was astonished. It was like a stream of limpid water flowing from a most unsightly looking rock. Excuse the metaphor; 1 do not often indulge. “Do you keep hoarders?” “1 do; a few, sir; such as my house will ac commodate.” “Whom have you tiad with you this sum. mer?" 1 know what her answer would be before she uttered it: so did a hundred others, but they showed their knowledge in a different way. I did not show mine at all. “I have had with me,” said she, “a Mr. and Mrs. Van Burnam from New York. Mr. How ard Van Burnam Is his full name, If yon wish me to tie explicit.” “Any one else?” A Mr. Hull, also from New York, and a young couple from Hartford. My honse accommo dates no more.” "How long have the first mentioned couple been with you?” "Three months. They came In June.” "Are they with you still?” “Virtually, sir. They have not moved their trunks; but neither of them Is in Haddam at present. Mrs. Van Burnaui came to New York last Monday morning, and in the afternoon her husband also left, presumably for New York. 1 have seen nothing of either of them since." (It was on Tuesday night the murder oc curred.) “Did either of them lake a trunk?” "No, sir." “A handbag?" "Yes: Mrs. Van Burn lm carried a hag, but it was a very small one.” “Large enough to hold a dress?” “Oh. no, sir.” “And Mr. Van Burnam?” "He carried an umbrella; 1 saw nothing else.” "Why did they not leave together? Did you hear any one say?” "Yes; 1 heard them say Mrs. Van Rurnam came against her husband's wishes. He did not want her to leave Haddam. hut she would and tic was none too pleased at it. Indeed they had words about it, and as both our rooms overlook the sumo veranda, 1 could not help hearing some of their talk." "Will you tell us what you heard?” “It does not seem right" (thus this honest woman s]mke), “but if it’s the law. I must not go against it. I heard him say these words: 'I have changed my mind. Louise. The more l think of it, the more disinclined 1 am to have you meddle in the matter. Resides, it will do no good. You will only add to the preudiee against you. and our life will become more unlicarable than it is now.'” "U£ what were they speaking?" He could. At which the Coroner motioned to an officer and a pile of clothing was brought forward from some mysterious corner and laid before the wit ness. Immediately expectation rose to a high pitch, for everyone recognized, or thought he did, the apparel which had been taken from the victim. The young man, who was of the alert, nervous type, took up the articles one by one and exam ined them closely. As he did so, the whole assembled crowd surged forward and llghtnlnglike glances from a hundred eyes followed his every movement and expression. “Arc they the same?” Inquired the Coroner. The witness did not hesitate. With one quick glance at the blue serge dress, Hack cape and battered hat, he answered in a firm tone: “They are.” And a clew was given at last to the dreadful mystery absorbing us. The deep-draw n sigh which swept through the room testified to the universal satisfaction: then our attention became fixed again, for the Coro ner, pointing to the undergarments accompany ing the articles already mentioned, demanded if they had been included in the order. There was as little hesitation in the reply given to this question ns to the former. He rec ognized each piece as having come from the establishment. "You will note." said he, “that they have never lioen washed and that the pencil marks are still on them.” “Very good.” observed the Coroner, “and you will note that one article there is torn down the back. Was it in that condition when sent?” “It was not. sir.” “All were in jierfoct order?" “Most assuredly, sir." "Very good, again. The jury will take cogni zance of this fact, which may lie useful to them in their future conclusions. And now, Mr. Calla han. do you notice anything lacking here from the list of articles forwarded by you?" “No. sir.” "Yet there is one very necessary adjunct to a woman’s outfit which is not to be found here." “Yes. sir. the shoes: but I am not surprised at that. We sent shoes, hut they were not satisfac tory and they were returned.” heads drew together very eagerly over it, and some whispers and a few knowing looks passed between them. Finally one of them spoke: “It Is written in a very odd hand. Do you call this a woman’s writing or a man’s?” “I have no opinion to give on the subject," re joined the witness. “It is intelligible writing, and that is all that crimes within my province." I expected to see the man Clapp called next, but I was disappointed in this. The name ut tered was Henshaw, and the person who rose In answer to it was a tall, burly man with a Bhock of curly black hair. He was the clerk of the Hotel D , and we all forgot Clapp in our eagerness to hear what this man had to say. His testimony amounted to this: That a person by the name of Pope was reg istered on his books; that she came to his house on the 17th of September some time near noon. That she was not alone; that a person she called her husband accompanied her, and that they had been given a room, at her request, on the second floor overlooking Broadway. “Did you see the husband? Was it his hand writing we see in your register?” “No, sir. He came into the office, but he did not approach tli? desk. It was she who regis tered for them both, and who did all the busi- jness, in fact. I thought it queer, but took it for granted that he was ill, for he held his head very muon down and acted as If he felt disturbed or anxious.” “Did you notice him closely? Would you he able to identify him ou sight?” “No, sir. I should not. He looked like a hun. dred other men I see every day: medium in height and build, with brown hair and brown mustache. Not noticeable ii any way. sir, ex cept for his hang-dog air and evident desire not to be noticed." “But you saw him later?” “No, sir. After he went to his room he stayed there, and no one saw him. I did not even see him when he left the house. His wife paid the bill and he did not come into the office.” “But you saw her well; you would know her again?” “Perhaps, sir: but I doubt it. She wore a thick veil when she came in, and, though I “Ah, I see. Oflicer. show the witness the shoes that were taken from the deceased.” This was done, and when Mr. Callahan had examined them the Coroner Inquired if they came from his store. He replied no. Whereupon they wore held up to the Jury and attention called to the fact that, while rather new than old, they gave signs of having been worn more than once; which was not true of anything else taken from the victim. This matter settled, the Coroner proceeded with his questions. “Who carried the articles ordered to the ad dress given?” “A man In onr employ named Clapp." “Did he bring back the amount of the bill?” “Yes, sir; less the five dollars charged for the shoes.” “What was the amount, may I ask?” “Here Is our cash book, sir. The amount re ceived from Mrs. James Pope, Hotel D , on the 17th of September, Is, as you see, seventy- five dollars and fifty-eight cents.” “Let the jury see the book; also the order.” They ^-ere then handed to the jury, and If ever I wished myself in anyone’s shoes, save my own very substantial Mips, it was a? that mo ment. I did so want a peep at that order. It seemed to interest the jury also, for their say that this is what we want,’ he declared might remember her voice, I have no reootlee- tlon of her features, for I did not see them." "You can gtve a description of her dress, though; surely you must have looked long enough at a woman who wrote her own and her husband’s names In your register for you to re member her clothes.” “Yes, for they were very simple. She had on what is called a gossamer, which covered her from head to toe, and on her head a hat wrapped all about with a blue veil.” “So that she might have worn any dress un der that gossamer?" “Yes. sir." ”And any hat under that veil?” “Any one that was large enough, str." “Very good. Now. did you see her hands?" “Not to remember them.” “Did she have gloves on?” “I can not say. I did not stand and watch her, sir.” “That is a pity. But you say you heard bar voice?"’ “Yes, sir.” “Was it a lady’s voice? Was her tone refined and her language good?” “They were, str.” “When did they leave? How long did they remain in your house?” "They left in the evening; after tea, I should say." “How? On foot or In a carriage?” “In a carriage; one of the hacks that stand In front of the door.” “Did they bring any baggage with them!" “No, sir.” “Did they take any away?" i “The lady carried a pared," "What kind of a parcel?" “A brown-paper parcel, like Clothing done up.* “And the gentleman?" “I did not see him” “Was she dressed tha same in going aa in coming?” “To all appearances, except b«T hat. That was smaller.” “She had the gossamer on atm, thaf "Yes, sir." ** “And a veil?” “Yes, sir." “Only that the hat tt covered wi "Yes, sir.’ "And now, how did you account to for the parcel and the change of hat?** "I didn’t account for them. I didn’t anything about them at the time; but since I have had the subject brought to my mind I find It easy enough. She had a package deliv ered to her while she was in our honse, or rather packages; they were quite numerous, I believe." “Can yon recall the circumstances of their delivery?” “Yes, s ! r; the man who brought the packages said that they had not been paid for, so I ah lowed him to carry them to Mrs. James Pope'* room. When he went away he had but on# small parcel with him; the rest he had left” "And this is all you can tell us about thl« singular couple? Had they do meals In your house 7’ “No, sir; the gentleman—or I suppose I should say the lady, sir, for the order was given In her voice—sent for two dozen oysters and a bottle of ale, which were furnished to them In their rooms: but they didn't come to the dining room.” “Is the boy here who carried up those articles?” “He Is, sir.” “And the chambermaid who at tended to their rooms?” “Yes, sir.” “Then yon may answer this question, and we will excuse you. How was the gentleman dressed when yon saw him?” “In a linen duster and a felt hat.” "Let the Jury remember that And now let us hear from Richard Clapp. Is Richard Clapp In the room?" “I am, sir,” answered a cheery voice: and a lively young man with a shrewd eye and a wide-awake manner popped up from behind a portly woman on a side seat and rapidly came forward. He was asked several questions before the lending one which we all expected; but I will not record them here. The question which brought tha re ply most eagerly anticipated was this: “Do yon remember being sent to the Hotel D with several packages for a Mra. James Pope ? ’’ “I do, sir.” “Did you deliver them in person? Did ywe see the lady?” A peculiar look crossed his face and we all leaned forward. But his answer brought a shock of disappointment with it “No, I didn't air. She wouldn't M m b. She bade me lay the things down by (be d*» and wait In the rear ball till the oeilefl mer “And you did this?" “Yes, sir." “But you kept your eye on th* do**, ^ course?” “Naturally, sir. ” “And saw- ” "A hand steal out and take in the tbtnga* “A woman’s hand?” “No, a man’s. I saw the white cuff." “And how long was It before they called you?” "Fifteen minutes, I should say. I heard a voice cry, ‘Here,’ and seeing their door open. I went toward It. But by the time I reached it it was shut again, and I only heard the lady say that all the articles tint the shoes were satlsfac tory, and would I thrust the Mil in under the door. I did so, and they were some minutes counting out the change, but presently the door opened slightly, and I saw a man’s hand holding out the money, which was correct to the cent ‘You need not receipt the hill,’ cried the lady from somewhere in the room. ‘Give him the shoos and let him go.’ So I received the shoes in the same mysterious way I had the money, and, seeing no reason for waiting longer, pocket, ed the bills and returned to the store.” He was followed by the chambermaid, wfi ■ testified that she was in the room once while they were there; that she saw them both thn.. hut did not catch a glimpse of their faces; Mr. Pope was standing In the window almost en tirely shielded by the cnrtnlns, and Mrs. Pop" was busy hanging up something In the ward robe. The gentleman had on his duster and tic- lady her gossamer; It was but a few minutes after their arrival. Questioned In regard to the state of the room after they left It, she said that there was a lot of brown paper lying about, marked B. Altman, hut nothing else that did not belong there. (To Be Continued Next Sunday.) Copyright, 18B7, by Ann* K Rohlfii. Publish””, It. F Putnam’a Sons, New York and London. I opened the register and took from it the head of a broken hatpin. ‘I should Why, what did this mean? We had all ex pected a very different description. "It wall made fashionably, and the sleeves— well, it is impossible to describe the sleeves. She wore no wrap, which seemed foolish to me, for we have very sudden changes sometimes in September.” "A plaid dress' And did you notice her hat?” “Oh, I have seen the hat often. It was of every conceivable color. It would have been called bad taste at one time, but nowadays—" The pause was significant. More than one man In the room chuckled, but the women kept a discreet silence. "Would you know that hat if you saw tt?” “1 should think I would.” The emphasis wus that of n countrywoman, HDd amused some people, notwithstanding the melodious tone in which it was uttered. But it did not amuse me; my thoughts had own flown to the hat which Mr. Gryce had found In the third room of Mr. Van Burnam’s house, and which was of every color of the rainbow. Tl:c discovery that Sirs. Van Burnam had lietn differently dress.d on that day from tr.e young woman found dead in the Van Burnam parlors hud acted as a shock upon most of the spectators. They Were just beginning to recover from it when Miss Ferguson sat down. The Coroner was the only one who had not seemed* at a loss. Why, we were soon destined to know. CHAPT ER IX. The Order Clerk. A LADY* well known in New York society was the next person summoned. She was a friend of the Van Rurnam family, and had known Howard from childhood. She had not liked his marriage: indeed, she rather partici pated in the family feeling against 1t. but when young Mrs. Rurnam came to her house on the preceding Monday and liegged the privilege of remaining with tier for one night, site had not had the heart to refuse her. Mrs. Van Rurnam had therefore slept in her house on Monday night. Questioned in regard to that lady's appear ance and manner, she answered that her guest was unnaturally cheerful, laughing much and showing a great vivacity: that she gave no rea son for her good spirits, nor did she mention her own affairs in any way—rather took pains not to dii so. “How long did she stay?” "Till the % next morning.” “And how was she dressed?’’ "I do not know." “What did she say?” “Oh, she uttered a torrent of words that had less sense In them tlmn feeling. She wanted to go, sin- would go, she had not changed her mind, and considered that her impulses were as well worth following ns his cool Judgment, she cried, ’knowing me as you do, and lining and meant them should lie a change, even if It were for the worse. Rut she did not believe It would he for the worse. Was she not pretty? Was she not very pretty when in distress and looking up thus? And I heard her fall on her knees, a movement which called out a grunt from her husband, but whether this was an expression of approval or disapproval I can not say. A silence followed, during which i caught the sound of his steady tramping up and down the room. Then she spoke again in a petulant way, ‘It may seem foolish to you,’ she cried, 'knowing me as you do. and being used to seeing me in all my moods. Rut to him it will lie a surprise, and I will so manage it that it will effect all we want, and more, too, perhaps. I—I have a geains for some things, Howard, and my better angel tells me I shall succeed.’ ” “And what did he reply to that?” “That the name of her better angel was Van ity; that his father would see through her blan dishments ; that he forbade her to prosecute her schemes: and mnclj more to the same effect. To all of which she answered by a vigorous stamp of her foot, and the declaration that she was going to do what she thought best in spite of alt opposition: that it was a lover, and not a tyrant, that she had married, and that if he did not know what was good for himself, she did, and that when lie received an intimation from his father that the breach In the family was closed, then he would acknowledge that if she had no fortune and no connections, she had at least a plentiful supply of wit. T’pon which he remarked: 'A poor qualification when it verges upon folly!’ which seemed to close the conver sation, for I heard no more till the sound of her skirts rustling past my door assured me she had carried tier point and was leaving the house, lint this was not done without great discom fiture to her husband, if one may Judge from the few brief but emphatic words that escaped him liefore he closed his own door and followed her down the hall.” "Do you remember those words?” “They were swear words, sir; I am sorry to say it. but he certainly cursed her and his own folly. Y'et I always thought he loved her.” “Did you see her after she passed your door?” "Yes, sir; on the walk outside,” “Was she then on the way to the train?" “Yes, sir.” “Carrying the bag of which you have spoken ?” “Yes, sir: another proof of the state of feeling between them, for he was very considerate in his treatment of ladles, and T never saw him do anything ungallant before.” “Y’oii say you watched her as she went down the walk?” "Yes, sir: it is human nature, sir; I have no other excuse to offer.” It was an apology I myself might have made. I conceived a liking for this homely, matter-of- fact woman. "Did you note her dress?’’ “Yes, sir; that is human nature also, or rather woman's nature.” "Particularly, madam; so that you can de scribe it to the jury before you?” “I think so.” "Will you. then, he good enough to tell us what sort of a dress Mrs. Van Burnam wore when she loft your house for the city?’ "It was a black and white plaid slik, very rich ” “Just as Miss Ferguson lias described.” "Did she bring her handbag to your house?" “Y’es, and left it there. We found it 1n her room after she was gone.” "Indeed ! And how do yon account for that?” “.She was preoccupied. I saw It In her cheer fulness. which was forced and not always well timed.” “And where is that bag now?” * “Mr. Van Rurnam lias it. We kept it for a day, and as she did not call for it sent it down to the office on Wednesday morning.’’ "Before you had heard of the murder?” “Oh, yes, beforp I had heard anything about the murder. “As she was your guest, you probbaly accom panied her to the door?” “I did, sir.” "Did you notice her hands? Can you say what was the color of her gloves?” “I do not think she wore any gloves on leav ing; it was very warm, and she held them in her hand. I remembered this, for I noticed the sparkle of her rings as she turned to say good- 1 bye.” "Ah. you saw her rings!” "Distinctly.’’ “So that when she left you she was dressed In a black and white plaid silk, had a large hat covered with flowers on her head and wore rings ?” “Yes, sir.” And with these words ringing In the ears of the jury the witness sat down. YVliat was coming? Something Important, or the Coroner would not look so satisfied or the faces of the officials about him so expectant. X waited with great but subdued eagerness for the testimony of the next witness, who was a young man by the name of Callahan. He was the order clerk at Altman’s. As he acknowledged this, T seemed to have some faint premonition of what was coming. His evidence was short, hut very much to the point. On the 17th of September, as could he verified by the books, the firm had received an order for a woman’s complete outfit, to he sent C. O. D. to Mrs. James Pope at the Hotel D -, on Broadway. Sizes and measures and some particulars were stated, and as the order bore the words “In haste” underlined upon it, several clerks had assisted him in finding this order, which, when filled, had been sent by special messenger to the place designated. Had be this order with him? He had. And could he identify the arti cles sent to fill it?