His countenance assuming a deeply chastened expression, the frontiersman declared: “Why, you are right as rain, Cap’n. I wish I may be shot if this business ain’t riled me up hotter’n a copperhead in July.” Turning towards me, he thrust out his right hand and said: “Put’er there, pard. I’m plumb sorry for behavin’ in such an ornery style. You ‘n’ me is in this together for the long haul!”

“I accept your gesture of contrition with the generosity of spirit it so clearly deserves,” I answered as I clasped his outstretched hand.

“So,” said Crockett, after releasing my hand from his grip. “How do you cipher the situation, Poe?”

“I would be better able to reply to your query had I the slightest conception as to what the situation is” I replied.

“Why, Cap’n,” exclaimed Crockett. “Ain’t you told Poe what’s took place here?”

“Permit me to do so without further delay,” said Captain Russell as he turned to address me. “This poor—indeed, pitiable—dwelling, Mr. Poe, is the apartment of an elderly gentleman named Alexander Montague, who has lived alone for many years since the death of his wife. According to his nearest neighbor—a most kind-hearted woman named Purviance—Montague suffers from both a debilitating case of atrophie arthritis and an extreme deterioration of vision which has rendered him nearly blind. As a result, he has been compelled, for many years, to rely on the good offices of Mrs. Purviance, who—for the mere pittance he is able to pay her—comes by each day around noontime to attend to certain of his most basic needs.”

“Like emptyin’ that there piss-pot,” Crockett interjected, thrusting a thumb toward the article in question.

“Precisely so,” said Captain Russell. “Upon making her customary visit earlier today,” he continued, “Mrs. Purviance was amazed to find that Montague—who rarely, if ever, ventures from his bedchamber—was not present in the room. This in itself was a most unaccountable circumstance. It was not, however, until she looked in the parlor that she made the discovery which sent her hurrying to my office in alarm.”

“To what discovery do you refer, Captain?” I inquired with a frown.

“Ain’t you set eyes on it yet?” asked Crockett in surprise.

“I have viewed no other portion of this apartment than the room in which we are presently standing.”

“Why, no wonder you was so all-fired dumb-foundered when I laid into you in such a cantankerous style,” Crockett exclaimed “Come on!” Grabbing the oil lamp that stood on the table, he led me from the room and across the little hallway, with Captain Russell and his subordinate bringing up the rear.