"And often-times, to win us to our barm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths; Win
us with honest trifles, to betray us In deepest consequence."
IN the midst of the universal gloom thus awakened there came a sharp ring at the bell.
Instantly all eyes turned toward the parlor door, just as it slowly opened, and the officer
who had been sent off so mysteriously by the coroner an hour before entered, in company
with a young man, whose sleek appearance, intelligent eye, and general air of
trustworthiness, seemed to proclaim him to be, what in fact he was, the confidential clerk
of a responsible mercantile house.
Advancing without apparent embarrassment, though each and every eye in the room was
fixed upon him with lively curiosity, he made a slight bow to the coroner.
"You have sent for a man from Bohn & Co.," he said.
Strong and immediate excitement. Bohn & Co. was the well-known pistol and
ammunition store of ---- Broadway.
"Yes, sir," returned the coroner. "We have here a bullet, which we must ask you to
examine, You are fully acquainted with all matters connected with your business?"
The young man, merely elevating an expressive eyebrow, took the bullet carelessly in his
hand.
"Can you tell us from what make of pistol that was delivered?"
The young man rolled it slowly round between his thumb and forefinger, and then laid it
down. "It is a No. 32 ball, usually sold with the small pistol made by Smith & Wesson."
"A small pistol!" exclaimed the butler, jumping up from his seat. "Master used to keep a
little pistol in his stand drawer. I have often seen it. We all knew about it."
Great and irrepressible excitement, especially among the servants. "That's so!" I heard a
heavy voice exclaim. "I saw it once myself--master was cleaning it." It was the cook who
spoke.
"In his stand drawer?" the coroner inquired.
"Yes, sir; at the head of his bed."
