rest of the houses are brick--which was unoccupied until two days ago,
when it was rented furnished. I live just across the street and hence I
notice these things--casually of course, as one does. I watched the cab
with languid interest; saw the driver descend from the box, which seemed
a bit peculiar; but when, instead of going to the door of the cab, he
went up the front steps and into the house--the door of which he opened
with a key that he took from his pocket--my curiosity was aroused. A
moment later, a man in evening dress came leisurely out and sauntered to
the carriage. It seemed to me he was interested in looking around him,
and at the houses opposite, rather than at the cab. He remained at the
cab, presumably in talk with those within, for several minutes.
Presently the door clicked and a woman stepped out, followed by a man.
The woman disappeared into the house. The two men drew in so close to
the cab that they were hidden from me; when they reappeared, they were
carrying a woman--or her body--between them. They hurriedly crossed the
sidewalk mounted the steps, and the house-door closed behind them
instantly. The noise of the door seemed to arouse the horse, doubtless
he took it for the door of the cab, and he started slowly up the street
toward Massachusetts Avenue. After walking a short distance, and in
front of a vacant lot near the corner, he halted--obviously he realized
that no one was holding the lines, and he was waiting for his driver to
return. Just then one of the men put his head out of the doorway, saw
that the horse was no longer before the house, and dodged quickly back.
I waited for further developments from the house. None came, except that
in one of the rooms a light was made, but it was behind closed shades.
Pretty soon the horse calmly lay down in the shafts, stretched out, and
apparently went to sleep. Disturbed by the occurrence, and debating what
I ought to do, I sat a while longer; and I must have dozed again, for
when I awoke the house was dark, and a man, a strange man, I think, was
standing beside the cab, and the horse was up. The man was gathering the