Philo Gubb's Greatest Case

Mr. Gubb unfolded the paper and read the item under the headlines with
the most intense interest. Foul play meant the possibility of an
opportunity to put to use once more the precepts of the Course of Twelve
Lessons, and with them fresh in his mind Detective Gubb was eager to
undertake the solution of any mystery the Riverbank could furnish. This
was the article:--

'Just as we go to press we receive word through Policeman Michael O'Toole
that the well-known mussel-dredger and boatman, Samuel Fliggis (Long
Sam), while dredging for mussels last night just below the bridge,
recovered the body of Henry Smitz, late of this place.

'Mr. Smitz had been missing for three days and his wife had been greatly
worried. Mr. Brownson, of the Brownson Packing Company, by whom he was
employed, admitted that Mr. Smitz had been missing for several days.

'The body was found sewed in a sack. Foul play is suspected.'

"I should think foul play would be suspected," exclaimed Philo Gubb, "if
a man was sewed into a bag and deposited into the Mississippi River until
dead."

He propped the paper against the foot of the cot bed and was still
reading when someone knocked on his door. He wrapped his bathrobe
carefully about him and opened the door. A young woman with tear-dimmed
eyes stood in the doorway.

"Mr. P. Gubb?" she asked. "I'm sorry to disturb you so early in the
morning, Mr. Gubb, but I couldn't sleep all night. I came on a matter of
business, as you might say. There's a couple of things I want you to do."

"Paper-hanging or deteckating?" asked P. Gubb.

"Both," said the young woman. "My name is Smitz--Emily Smitz. My
husband--"

"I'm aware of the knowledge of your loss, ma'am," said the paperhanger
detective gently.

"Lots of people know of it," said Mrs. Smitz. "I guess everybody knows of
it--I told the police to try to find Henry, so it is no secret. And I
want you to come up as soon as you get dressed, and paper my bedroom."

Mr. Gubb looked at the young woman as if he thought she had gone insane
under the burden of her woe.