Speaker 1: A crack shot. Professor Fordney was hunting in the Rockies
when informed of a tragedy at one of the camps.
Thinking he might be of some help, he went over, and,
after introducing himself, Butler, the victim's companion, told him of
the accident. When Marshall hadn't returned to camp at nine
o'clock last night, I was a bit worried because he
didn't know these mountains. There wasn't a star out, and
it was dark and moonless, so I decided to look
around for him. Were five miles from anyone, you know.
Putting more wood on the fire, I set out. After
searching for an hour, I was coming up the slope
of a ravine when I saw a pair of eyes
shining out at me in the dark, calling twice and
getting no answer. I fired, thinking it was a mountain lion.
Imagined my horror when I reached the spot, struck a
match and saw I had nearly blown the head off Marshall.
A terrible experience. I carried his body back to camp
and then walked to the nearest house to report the accident.
How far from camp did you find Marshall, asked Fordney,
about a quarter mile. I see your right hand as bandaged.
How do you manage to shoot with it? Oh? I
use either hand? Mind if I look at the gun,
not at all, said Butler, handing it over. Hm European,
make I see had it long? No, it's rather new.
Why did you deliberately murder? Marshall, demanded Fordney abruptly, For
that's what you did. How did the professor know Butler
had murdered his companion? It was a dark, starless, moonless night.
The nearest habitation was five miles. The eyes of no
animal ever shine in the dark unless there is a
light by which they can be reflected, and a man's
eyes never shine under any circumstances. Therefore, Butler could not
possibly have seen any eyes shining at him in the dark.
It was clearly murder, and thy deep eyes amid the
gloom shine like jewels in a shroud, Long Fellow, and
of a crack shot by H. A. Ripley