The Case of Jennie Brice

n Englishman, and I had got into the habit of having a cup in the afternoon, with a cracker or a bit of bread. But they refused. Mr. Howell sa

n your nerves, just send for me." He went down the stairs and stepped into the boat. "Remember, Holcombe," he called, "e

d of relying on the testimony of the smoke," Mr.

o the front door, and sitti

"If he doesn't find a body to fit the clues, he'

the 'n' is torn off-evidently only part of a word. Hornet, Hornin

d in the depths of that muddy flood. I got on my wraps again, and Mr. Holcombe rowed me out. Peter plunged into the water to follow,

boat in charge of a boy there. And we walked to the police station. On the way Mr. Holcombe questioned me closely about the eve

g my own lines. Not that I have anything against the police; they've done some splendid work. But this case takes imagination, and the pol

the visits of the patrol wagon are one of those familiar sights that no amount of repetition enabled any of us to treat with contempt, I was uncomfortable until I remembered that my grandf

uched me on the arm. It

d better not mention the piece of paper that you found behin

" I agreed,

nce, having stopped at my house more than

st coffee and doughnuts in the city of Allegheny? Well, what's the troub

said. "I'm-I'm worried, Mr. Sergeant. I think a woma

and drew up his chair

with his eyes half closed, and his finger

and went into an inner roo

d tell that to the chief,

noon, to the sergeant, to the chief of police, and t

he chief made not

ne of them did, but they all knew of Jennie Bri

," the chief said to

was not in the cast that week, but should have reported that morning (Monday) to rehearse the nex

u are sure about the clock, Mrs. Pitman?" he asked.

s,

t find it on the parlor mant

uncovered now.

adley has go

s,

fellow, and keep him until either the woman is found or a body. The river is f

er husband said, I had no idea; she had a lot of clothes, and dressed a good bit. But I recalled that I had seen, l

at the time you mention," he said, "she ought not to be hard to find. There

he-do you think she is in

way, as he says she did. But if she hasn't-He probably took the body with him when he said he was getting medicin

the t

himself, shaving.

the k

is shoulders

good knife spoiled open

ippers? And

year in flood-time, and are found floating around the streets, to make all the old-clothesmen i

replied a little sharply. I had no sense of humor that day.

That's a very nice little point, that onyx clock. He m

ast five and dusk was coming on. I got a boat and was rowed directly home. Peter was not at the foot of the st

y Lauder's in a phonograph resembles it. And voices have always done for me what odors do for some people, revived forgotten scenes and old memories. But the memory that the voice at the head of the stairs brought back was not very old, although I had forgott

rought his visitor to the flood district, and on getting her splashed with

roduced the girl. She was a pretty girl, slim and

" she said, holding out her hand. "Esp

Mr. Howell said, "and I promised to

r haughtiness, but Alma's dark blue eyes with black lashes, and Alma's nose. Alma was always the beauty of the family. What with the day's

n!" he said. "Wh

nd in a moment and

ely. Too much tea the last day or two, and not e

all sympathy and sweetness. She actually asked me to go with her to a restaurant

said, "and I'm better now, anyhow, thank you.

ong the back hall

forgotten, Mr. Howell," I said. "On Su

es

very few

s

ll did not move, but I fancied he drew his breath in

to bed at three A.M. on Sunday

at time it was,"

t Lida called fro

she said. "He is shut

s room, although I had left the door closed and Peter in the hall. I let him out, and h

st!" he said. "H

Howell. He was all eyes for her: he made excuses to touch her hand or her arm-little caressing touches that made her color heighten. And with it all, there was a

n love with love. She was very young, as I had been. God help her, if, like me, she