ated, "it's a corpse!"

[Illustration: DISCOVERY OF DR. CRONIN'S BODY IN THE CATCH BASIN.]

[Illustration]

To tear off a portion of the heavy plank top of the basin was to the
three strong men but the work of a moment. The foul air and stench that
escaped caused their heads to swim and their faces to turn pale; but,
quivering with excitement, they bent over the edge and peered down into
its depths. What they saw filled them with horror. The basin contained
the nude body of a man. A large quantity of cotton batting had been
thrown over the corpse partly concealing it. A towel was tightly tied
around the neck. The head was bent forward upon the breast and was
entirely submerged.

The feet and legs were deep into the four feet of water. The body was
floating, the back and hips alone being above the surface. The three men
looked at each other. Strange to say, not one of them thought of
connecting the ghastly discovery with the missing doctor. It was evident
that it would be no easy matter to bring the body to the top of the
basin, and Rosch, hurrying to the grocery store of C. H. Noyes, a
little distance away, sent a telephone message to the police
headquarters of Lake View. In a little while the patrol wagon, with
Captain Wing and Officers Phillips and Malia, was on the scene. At first
sight it seemed as though it would be impossible to bring the corpse to
the top of the basin without being compelled to mutilate it, but finally
one of the party suggested that a horse blanket might be passed under
the stomach and the remains thus drawn up. This suggestion proved
practicable, and the blanket, having been pushed under the body with the
aid of the handle of a hoe, the men took the two ends and commenced to
lift it to the surface. Owing to the stiff and bent condition of the
body, however, it was found necessary at this point to remove the entire
top of the basin. A knot was then tied in the blanket, during which
operation the arms, released from their pressure, flew apart, and with a
little more exertion the ghastly load was entirely removed from its
prison of brick and laid upon the ground. As this was being done the
face, bloated and discolored, turned up toward the men.

"My God," exclaimed Captain Wing, "it is Dr. Cronin."

THE BODY AT THE MORGUE.

The little group stood dumbfounded as the ejaculation burst from the
officer's lips, and, for the first time, they realized the terrible
significance of their dis