, Jonas, Charles, their son, and the latter's wife, Annie, were
at home at the time. The latter was a domestic servant in the employ of
a prominent family on Michigan avenue; but--by another peculiar
coincidence--this happened to be her "day off," the first she had taken
for several weeks. Jonas Carlson answered the door, and the stranger
inquired if he (Carlson) was the owner of the cottage on the front lot.
Receiving an answer in the affirmative, he expressed a desire to rent
it. Carlson secured the keys, and the two men went down to the cottage,
entering by the rear door. The would-be tenant gave a cursory glance
over the interior, and, remarking that there were six rooms, just the
number that he required, asked what the rent would be. Carlson named the
sum of twelve dollars monthly, to be paid in advance, but the stranger
demurred and expressed the opinion that eleven dollars was quite enough.
Finding, however, that Carlson was unwilling to lower his figure a
single dime, the man at last remarked: "All right, I'll take it and give
you the money now." The landlord and his new tenant then returned to the
former's cottage, when the latter paid over the first month's rent.
Charles Carlson wrote the receipt, and while this was being done the man
remarked that he worked in the city, that he was one of three brothers,
that his sister was coming from Baltimore to keep house for them, and
that it might be several days and perhaps a week before they could move
in. He also added that he had ordered some furniture, and that it would
arrive in a few days. When asked his name he replied "Frank Williams,"
and the receipt was made out accordingly. Meanwhile, the three Carlsons
had ample opportunity to "size up" the individual who was soon to be
their neighbor, and his features were impressed on their memories. Annie
Carlson and her husband especially noticed a peculiar way he had of
glancing around, as well as a kind of sinister expression of his mouth.
Having secured the receipt and the keys the man went away. On the third
day following, about seven o'clock in the evening, a few articles of
furniture were delivered at the cottage. Young Carlson strolled over to
the place, and saw "Frank Williams," assisted by a man he described as
dark, short and slender, together with the expressman, carrying in the
goods. He passed the time of day with the expressman and found that the
latter was a Swede. Weeks passed without any sign of activity o