158 Man and Shark 



James Smith in vain, for no man was ever convicted of the slaying, and 

 no court of law ever learned the true story of how and why James Smith 

 was killed. 



But those who have studied the incredible case have raised the question 

 of whether Reginald Holmes was behind the murder. And, when the arm 

 fatefully appeared, mutely demanding justice, was it like a wraith clutching 

 at Holmes? He tried to still the torment in his soul by killing himself. But 

 it was not to be that easy. Murder had conjured up the arm, and, when 

 Holmes left his home on the night of his death, murder— a propitiating 

 murder— may have been what he sought. Perhaps he kept a tryst with 

 murder. 



No matter who actually killed the haunted Holmes, the arm from 

 the shark brought about his death just as surely as if its accusing hand 

 had pulled a trigger. 



