the pier yonder. We thought it only common humanity to bring him in, since there might have been a spark of life left.”
“Oh, of course,” agreed the coroner, instantly, visibly impressed by Delroy’s presence. “T’at was right. Who found t’e body?”
“His son, there,” and Delroy indicated young Graham by a gesture.
The coroner turned toward him; it was easy to see that he had a high opinion of his own ability as a cross-examiner and detector of crime. He wasn’t actually smiling, but his round face was shining with satisfaction. Babylon and the neighbouring villages are quiet places, and this was Heffelbower’s first important case since his election. He would show his constituents how wise their choice had been.
“My dear sir,” he began, evidently proud of his command of language, the result of many years of saloon debates, and speaking with distressing care but with a racial inability to conquer the “th,” “I know such a recital will be painful to you—most painful—but I must hear from you just how t’e discovery was made. You will naturally be more anxious t’an anyone to bring to justice t’e scoundrel who committed t’is crime, so please give us all t’e details possible. T’en I will know how to proceed.”
From the moment of his entrance, Tremaine had been contemplating the coroner with half-closed eyes; now, he turned back to the window with a little contemptuous smile.
“I’ll tell everything I know, sir,” said William, coming forward eagerly. “I went up t’ th’ house about
