Page:Burton Stevenson--The marathon mystery.djvu/216

192 “I do not know positively,” said Delroy, a little impatiently. “I merely suspect so.”

“Iss Mr. Drysdale still in his room?”

“Yes, I suppose so. I haven’t seen him since he went up to it.”

“Mr. Tremaine was wit’ you at t’e time Mr. Graham burst in and announced t’e murder?”

“Yes, we were in the hall talking together.”

“What time was it?”

“Nearly one o’clock, I should say.”

“T’ank you,” and Heffelbower turned back to make a more detailed examination of the body. “Doctor Wise,” he asked, after a moment, “from which direction should you say t’ese blows were struck?”

“From directly in front,” answered the doctor promptly.

“But I see he has a pistol at his belt. Why did he not tefend himself? Why should he allow himself to be beaten down?”

“That question also occurred to me,” observed Delroy. “Mr. Tremaine suggested that it was because Graham thought his murderer a friend and anticipated no assault. So he allowed him to approach unchallenged, and was wholly unprepared for the treacherous attack.”

The coroner looked at Tremaine again with a glance in which suspicion had changed to admiration.

“T’at iss, indeed, a very probable explanation,” he said. “In fact, I haven’t t’e least doubt it iss t’e true one. Graham would not have allowed a stranger to approach him; but if he had come on, Graham would have prepared for t’e attack and would have given a