way, accounted for their
breathless condition upon reaching there. They had then inquired for
a train _from_ New York, and not _to_ that city, and upon being
informed that no further trains from that direction (as they
understood it) would arrive that night, they had indulged in an
extended personal altercation, each accusing the other of being the
cause of their detention. When the train did arrive, contrary to
their expectations, their ill feelings had not sufficiently subsided,
and they sat sullen and apart upon their journey to their places of
abode.

These facts, of course, dissipated the romantic theory that foreign
emissaries had been employed by the relatives of the deceased to put
him out of the way in order to secure his wealth; and so that
glittering edifice of speculation fell to the ground.

I did not have much faith in this story from the outset, but it is a
rule with me to follow every point in an investigation to a definite
and satisfactory conclusion, and this line of inquiry was diligently
pursued to the results mentioned. I therefore dismissed the matter
from further consideration.

Operatives were also detailed to visit the Crescent Saloon, where the
fair and voluptuous Clara presided and ministered to the bibulous
appetites of her numerous friends and admirers.

They succeeded in making the acquaintance of the young lady, and by a
liberal purchase of drinks, were successful in getting the fair but
frail damsel in a communicative mood. She related her previous
experience with Bucholz and confessed to entertaining at one time a
decided regard for him, which regard was, however, not unmixed with
fear. She also related several incidents, in which Bucholz, after
having gone to South Norwalk, had visited the saloon and had been
very lavish in spending his money.

"He was here," said the girl, "only a few days before the murder, and
he drank a great deal. He appeared to have plenty of money, and spent
more than fifty dollars here at one time. He seemed wild and excited,
and talked about the old man in a manner that frightened me. When I
heard about the murder from the young servant that used to work for
Mr. Schulte, I could not help thinking that Bucholz had something to
do with it. His eyes had a wild, wicked look when he spoke about the
old man's money, and I felt sure that he was robbing him during his
lifetime. When I heard that he was dead and had been murdered, I
could not help it, but I thoug