A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY
The portières were pulled aside.
"Excellency, breakfast is served," and the servant bowed deferentially
toward a figure standing in the bow window. As the announcement reached
his ears in the musical language of his native tongue, the Japanese
Ambassador turned from the window and hastened into the dining room.
A small pile of letters lay beside his plate, and he opened and read
them as he leisurely ate his breakfast. Tossing aside the last note, he
picked up the morning _Herald_, and his eyes glanced casually over the
page then stopped, arrested by a three-column heading:
SENATOR CAREW DEAD
A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY
Murder or Suicide?
The Ambassador pushed aside his plate and read the smaller type with
growing interest.
"During the cloudburst of last night, when the heavens themselves
seemed to threaten Washington, a most mysterious crime was committed
in the fashionable Northwest. United States Senator James Carew,
of Maryland, one of the most distinguished and influential men in
political and official circles, was found dead in his carriage early
this morning.
"Much mystery surrounds the case. The tragedy was not discovered until
the arrival of the carriage at the Carew residence. Miss Carew, whom
her uncle was escorting home from a dance, was completely prostrated
from shock, and had to be carried to her room.
"Owing to the lateness of the hour, with the paper already in
press, only a few meager details could be learned by the special
representative of the _Herald_.
"Senator Carew was found by his butler, Joshua Daingerfield, huddled in
a corner of the back seat of the carriage. Dr. Penfield, the coroner,
was hastily summoned, as well as detectives from headquarters. While
awaiting their arrival, the policeman on the beat had the horses
unharnessed and taken to the stable, and left the carriage under the
porte-cochère.
"On the arrival of the coroner and the detectives the body was removed
from the carriage to the Senator's room in the Carew mansion. Dr.
Penfield discovered that death was apparently due to a stab from a
small, upright, desk bill file which had been thrust into the body
with such force that the heavy, leaded round base was pressed tightly
against the clothes. The sharp point had penetrated to the heart, and
death must have been instantaneous. The weapon in the wound prevented
any outward hemorrhage, and Senator Carew bled internally.
"These startling details but add interest to what promises to prove a
mystery unique in the annals of crime.
"Senator Carew and his family have resided here for many years, and
have been prominently identified with official and residential society.
The old Carew mansion on Massachusetts Avenue east of Fourteenth Street
has been noted for its lavish hospitality. It was erected by Senator
Carew's father, General Van Ness Carew, shortly before the commencement
of the Civil War, and the foundations and walls were of such unwonted
thickness that General Carew was pestered with inquiries as to whether
he was not building a fortress!
"The inmates of the Senator's household are his widowed sister, Mrs.
George Winthrop, her stepson, Philip Winthrop; and her niece, Miss
Cynthia Carew, daughter of the late Philip Carew, a younger brother of
Senator Carew.
"Mrs. Winthrop is well-known in Washington, having kept house for her
brother since the death of his wife in 1881. Miss Cynthia Carew made
her début last December at a memorable ball which her aunt and uncle
gave for her. Since then Miss Carew has received much attention, and is
regarded as one of the most popular of the winter's débutantes.
"Philip Winthrop has spent most of his life in Washington, and, since
his graduation from Princeton, has been acting as private secretary for
Senator Carew. He is a member of the Alibi, the Chevy Chase, and the
Riding and Hunt Clubs, and is popular with his associates.
"A fearless leader, an upright American, Senator Carew has served his
country well, first as representative, then as senator. Possessing
the confidence and friendship of the President as he did, it was
frequently prophesied that he would be the power behind the throne in
deciding many of the important issues now confronting the country.
His inexplicable death is therefore a severe blow to many besides his
immediate family.
"The known facts at present point to murder or suicide. The negro
driver, Sam Hamilton, has been arrested pending a closer examination."
The Ambassador regarded the printed lines long and thoughtfully. Then
his foot pressed the electric button concealed in the carpet under
the table. The bell had hardly ceased to buzz before the well-trained
servant was by his side.
"Send for my motor," came the brief order.
"It is already at the door, Excellency."
The Ambassador tossed his napkin on the table, pushed back his chair,
and rose. "My hat and coat," he directed, walking into the hall.
In a few minutes he stepped out into the vestibule and filled his lungs
with the delicious breeze that fanned his cheeks. No trace of the heavy
storm of the night before was in the air. The sky was blue, and the
May sunshine lit up the budding trees and shrubs. The touch of spring
and new-born life was everywhere. The Ambassador snapped off a spray
of honeysuckle which grew along the fence protecting his parking from
his neighbor's, and tucked the spray in his buttonhole as he entered
the waiting motor. "Drive to the club," he directed briefly, as the car
moved off.