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/ ' /' _ 7 ,K7 / I ■ - ' ■** ■*’ *-' ■• “ . »■ a; >1 I The Clinton Chronicle. Ginton, S. C~. Thiirsday, May 10, 1934 The WEDDING MARCH MURDER Bf MONTE IRRREn now is to <I;srov'er who priK*urt*<l tha’ ! rovitlvor.” “non't f>v«*rkM*k FlHchor.*' Ivtor oaei ‘Who was the da.^ Fletcher?" ^ ^ . A. whT bad he not^ ased It ^hen at- ! did chnn’P her atorr Our I tost h/‘t ! tnTt:ed to h’ru, on the phone, tacked? C*r a;;ain. sn^amini: that he had tried tto 05«e his ttin and had l*een t<*o slow. why had the ala.ver taken‘such {tre- tioned. ‘Thai tellow may know' nior* caations to l^nceal It? What story i than he’s sayinc. Come to think of did'Albe weai»on have to tell that the it, he wa« very careful atK»ut mention CHAPTER Vn ■) Kilday’s Caae “Ttut that’s impossible, man." ex claimed Serpeant Kilday impatiently. “The pun Itelonped to the murderer," |(eljst inquire*?. Peter picked the revolver from t’::e desk and examined It crittcally. Would this, like every other trail they had discovered in this curious case end in a blind alley? He whistle«K Miiie!essv ly. How could Jim F'canklin. stahtied through the heart, have oonreale*! the weapon in the rectory garden. N*f«.re T«turnlnp to the study to dieT~<H»vi- slayer wished to hide? It was F'rnnk- lin's own pun. His possession of it could scarcely reveal the identitj of the assailant. He thought' of the thumb-print, but dismissefl It with a shnia. n»e munlerer had had no difli- culty in wip.np-the prints of his fin- per.s 'roni the hilt of the knife. No. that was not tlie answer. “What do, you ntake of It. inp Franklin’s callers. I questioned hi'm on the subject." ' Kilday imffed his stogy thouphtfully "How about Ni«i'k Iloyce? He was intimate with F'rar.klin. and proTtahly woman here that It was Cardigan" qaestionlnp now. “The wouian?'" The^tfervant stated’ bl.inkly. “What woman? I don’t re call any woman visitor." “Perhai»s It iwnsjChoo Choo Train." Peter c»»ntiniie.1. ignoring the man’s r^ jdy. '“She came here often, didn't sfttr _ . F'letcher hesitated, ap’parently search one of his Intimate friends. No one else could have had access to it The gun must have been taken within the past few da.vs—preferably yesterday. If the crime had been planned far in advance. I find it hard to believe that the mur'derer would jhave chosen the church as the scene for his crime. It seems clear that no one could have taken it without Fletcher’s' knowledge, and we find him reluctant to talk. He nlghf. But he was the only person who could "have taken it from thcr^ and your^ point is fhat «some one else procured the g’jn without his knowl edge. That being true, it chuldn’t (hare been there. He must have kept .it at his apartment,*C-ardlpan." ’ That seemed to be the logical answer. Then Fletcher must have seen the pun before, must have recognized it. but refused to admit it. Who was h£ pro- '-.f; in his aj.arrmerit Aften. Hr met Frank- i inp his mind. “1 can’t be sure," he ! liii there, befr.re they went to the j sai.l. -.^he, m-.-iy have fieen here’ that i had no motive, so it^must have been | tectinp? How was the ser\ant in- some one for whom he has a feeling of volved in the mun^ef'”of^hi^njai'ter. church. What w.as to prevent him Jrom Kliiipinp the revolver tn Iqs jrfK'ket Serge:int?" tlie nov- Why should the guilty per<*»n have taken the |»rernution fo hide his virrim’s gun?" “lH.«r«i;’t make sense." profiled Kil- d.ay. chewing' savagely on Ifcis cigar. “If I had kille*! a man who was carr.r- *•." a gun. I d have left the gun alone. Tken. if I ever wifk caught I could f !ea«l Self-defense " i “How Is thi.« for a theory ?" Peter then?" >r the wiiman jn blue." Peter re turned to tlic -stlfiject «»f the m.vsteri oits.._;j|io.^.in nho.se idenfif.v continued to baTTle them. “According to I>au I'.iillis, slie was in love with FYanki lin. and he had tieen Indiscreet where she was cf»ncerne«l. to sav the least. day. .'she did come here every once in i a wliile." j Kilday snorted. “Every once In a j while! Why she was here nearly | every day. wasn’t she?’’ “So. sir." The man glanced first at j the detective, then at Cardigan, un- i certainly. “That is the truth," he vol j unteered. “Of course I know you \ gentWjnen are aware .of Mr. Frank lin’s '•ah—" he gr**ped for a word— ir- ously.' that w as lKii^ossIhle. The fCTCt- -rniunteered, "II Jim,. FrajnJkH ver had been con'oaled by tlie nr '- had the gun In his r»oss**ssion. he cer derer. certainly. Peter rev«»lved the tainly would have defended himself question in his mind n#**t!o»d;paI with It. wouldn't he? He wotddn’t have iHad Franlfttn carHed-tbe-js^upon-. carried a wejijH.n^o his we<lding if he his wedding, fearing trouble? If ^AMBUNG 'f^NO M^YORK •^nueuKDMv B It isn’t (inreasonuhle to assume that^ 1 she hnt! access to hjs apartment. And we i ....k . ! I , .1 . . —conn^tlon. with the actress, hut know that she was In the studv a short . ... . . ' . ... i. o ^ the same, she did not come here nine before bis death. Perhaps she s i' . v.. * mi i .V w . . 7. often as-rnu might expect. Tiiev 1! T., ‘ I .Mr. Franklin visited her' 1 to nVirry another woman. | He j - reached^for his haL “Bring the gun. ; . . . , , , hadn't expw*te«f (langof. ^TliHt bemg- f-SeTifefHttt---Let’aha.ve_ a talk with thiS( - * place? true, why di<!n’t be sho*>t his assail- man ^letcher. 'We'!! never find ouf ,.;|^kea -n^4. — ant the minute he was attacke<i? i how that gun got into the rectory ‘ ^ m f . * , “rf\ we gnml that he was armed. < garden, sitting here." then we admit he was exi»ecting Pending settlement of Franklin’s af- tnuilde. But l:**y«‘e heard notliiiig— j fair.si his apartment was being kept ni»i«ar<*ntly F'ntnklin never even cried ojien. and they found the servant there. he nevtT had "Were you • wanting to have anotlier that rvv»dver.“ ^'hanging fashion.^ iiavc >|»clle<i the <leath of one indu.<try after am»ther one that may revive*! by t-he cur rent trend to long hair and curS -witciiev. There’s i>ne f rm 'n New York *hat has iudd a .stuck of human hair in --tof age for vea;>. Tu* v value “But hang it. man. It was F^ranklin’s **wn gtin!" exi>*»stulated the detec tive. “There’s no d*‘uf*t «*f that.” T'ardigan agree*!, “but i*e«»ple have Iwen known to Ti*»rT*iw guns l*»*?**re, f»bvl*»nsly. the guilty r»»Ts*»n was taking ev**ry [ire- «^uti*»n !•• nuireal his identity. If s*-»*ms that he fr<t j*1ann***l to Inirrow his vi«*ttm’s gun f*>r the oc*-aslon. .After hi' arrival in tlie stndv. iio\v**v»T. h*- sn<r ‘ A^^^rn.'iihy’s Ma;:;r«*r It at a m Ilion •iuhar'! tiie X*w Y«TTk ?igh*--^-t-ttg-T- va.'tiy—lui- jMovfi dii!;ng the 'iim*n* •> 'n* r,,. ' (>*■ ;ri< 'nuind .\Iat‘ha*r;;,i i ,«* Tilt y It-av*- >»: a 'wiAh" -e .Ini' H ian<i of .Manha’tan. .And h.inriiiig aiiK*! g hi' tr'*j'hi**s on wji’i The kn:'*- w::<: the mon* isil**iif ne -rviji two; ^tt-'T]*' «let**rmin»*d to - n—re .J «-f the re\*»h*T. Tliis ■ 1 ■•I. * I.e .•I*.- r ! !• ^ rtu* r**v*»h«*r it«*side y. t certniniy, it was- a CL^rry nr.miid. ns : tru-tiily. For som»‘ rent t<» us. lie •! d ’or a jd«*'*' idea of w !ia* i- ; n *his IsTami, no rwrr day call Ik ni'*i < ftmpr* f.' t and i**stful. , .Add ' 1) yi>ui list ef !«*nT mg n:qu**' u «»• «triiy tia- r**n? ng **f apa*'- men*.' 1 ly .'iiow .ng m«>v *^g p.C' hut al'o pi "VlUg Ik'W aiiia.;:i iigiy ■ yitur fir 111*' <'!f;i' * \\ i Ik* i»y mear- *! th«* .' irii ; iKct***. '*•»»»;*‘OK-' 1 cj»be : • -» "light t Ik 1 iii"!U**'**iI’fia W i.l k(K*k**fc! ;*■?■ < **ut er ren' rg agent : arc doing. I h *• of tie- New V > - light eompann s aI>o *>ffer' a free '•••- \ ice to llu’irv sui>scrtl>ei> to pi>tve the amount of light y«m' have in you- home and whether *»r m»t e i.- a*:*- quale for th*' |»urj>o.'e.' y*>u U>e it. New York -th«‘ m*Hlern me*f<*|H»!i'' -And yet it ha> m arly “.tHMi mCe> •■f dirt and i :rid*-r 'Itte’s. If he >tan*l> : ami .'ta m*' n 'he w m- *Jow of ail e\i' Ill>'\e ♦Ilf'' >h«tp f»i» long h*' may 1 K* a .'t Vie J> *a'e. An*i hi.' Ill**’ho*!. «'f cu'j» - *. tiVu't i" ‘.:n*ler cover , f«ir «it*tii>* *i ale.y ng a IS an offen.M- t fjat ctu a na.'y. yU- p.i at*'- >ho't con.'c u*n*‘t;»^ ami long m» lUor.c' for ! ?.« lino *>f iii'e>'e> rmy’ ’• lake n eVe»y detail of a .tre>s amt tueft cttrrfl-away to make a drawing The draw ng to a hn a' manufacturer who !>«>'' any thing froni.$lu up. an*i the>dres>e> come out in qiian'tities a few da}> laf- tr- a copy^' oru^ lterhap>. oy a fa mous F'reneh .'lyi .-t. at a tenth >«f ihc 'price <»f the original. i»< *ii»-.iyery noiiM r<.nnecf him witii rf* 'tain i!,a?L sle«*jl<l tfi*‘ owioTsliip ■*** t-he wea4»*»Ti t*e »ra<‘*vl. Th«T**for#*, U»- rtiro^-:;!*-! f',* g ;!! in til*' gar«b*n." ! ’Then h*»w alxMit tlie thumb print? f**> y««u fh.'nk we’ll still Im* aide fo fraee him by "I h.tve n r *lou!*t« " dr^-hared. “Why sh ' d he ha'e h-ff n thumb bnnt **ii tie- r»*v**I\*-r. wb*ri he t*Kik the (•re«*auf ••1 re wip«‘ off th«* knife, ih.- reo..'i ^t sat smbhmiy f^ ‘'’w:'.r'? in h ' •■hsir. “by toH.rge. S. rg»*5inf. t' -i*’> It' frtb'SJi he want*‘d t i.tl that thuuih |.r1lit: Hlive you t.-iken the fii.ger-priuts •>f the d*‘ad • •• ntan r * We alw.ays lake them, during the t.i* I *-aI examinati*»n." n*idie<l the de- fet'five. “«;e get them. qui«-k." P••ter sprang to his feet and I'egan a rt'stles.s pacing t f the ll**«»r. “Fill Iteginhiiig fo get if row. That thumb-print l*elongs to .1 :a F'raikUn. and If was ina<le after I. s death. The mur*l**r«‘r. taking ev.-vT i>reeauti<*n t*v c«»ii*-eal hi.s own ide'iiiry. i»ivss*'l Ids victim’s thumb 2-.-.o't the !.;irn'l a*l.*-r the rriim*. s*» t* ,t if we ever f<»und the w**:itMin. it • • ,’■! Iea*l ii> **i!ly t*» tlie *l*‘ad man. V. ry * ;e\er. t*»«5. siol if it wasn’t f*»r y*»ur prayto'e of finger printing *h‘ad i-ren we might have s«*ar<he«l all our Ibtesk f*»r the p«*s>e>si«*r *»f that jyrint." N^-rgv-ant Kibtav h:i't*‘ii**d in svuirch of the |*h*4*»grapliie re<-«ir*ls wliich In- * lude*l the finger prints *»f tlie slain man. The novelist ha*I' Inum corre«*t. The thumh-pr nt f*»und *>n the rev*d- ver l•afTe^ tailie'I exactly with that of Jim F'rank^rn. : ndr' ^r?" tw Tfitjuired;: "We want to a.sk you a few mor# questions. F'letcher." Peter tried, with ouf Kucces.s. to penetrate the man’i suave niask. He'only loctked politely Interested. "I ladii’ve you told us that Nick I Ibiyce and I bin Bullis were Mr. F’raiiklin’s o/ly visitors here yester day.” the noveli.st c**ntlnued.A “A’on are sure tliat’s right?’’ “Np. sir. tli;it isn’t riglit." F'bdcher sld»‘st*‘pp*Ml tlie trfip. “Mr. l{*iyce -••am*’. aft**r luiwli. and ai’cmipani*-*! .Mr. F'ratiklin to the chundi .Mr. Bullis rfi*q>hfo,r.rf repeaTedty, hitf he never • anie h*‘re. The y«>ung Mr. t'arniody wa.s the-iitlo'r caBor. A'ou mi.siinder stood me. sir. alMUif that." Pet* r i)o<li|» •!. “My misTi|lke. F’letrh •‘f. fio Mr Boyce .and Mr t'amodr— wore Hn- only vis:i*»rs v**st<Tdav. Think “Then perhaps she could have i^ome here yi*ster*lav. rr the day before. I without your k'lpw'edge." • “pos.sihly.- F'letcher siinigg***!. “But I it doi'sn't sound idausilde. sir. I was flii fi>e time. I tliink I sljould hav-e^khwir Itrlf sHe hM ftbOTT'hi'TtR:^ symfiathy or regard—some one he Is willing to fake some risk to shield. Who could that be?" “.Another wopian. eh?" Kilday paused on the steps. “A-lformer mistress, that the servant likea ‘fe'tFer than he did Choo Choo." “That sv>ynds reasonaiile," Peter agreed. *,“Or else It was ' a new mi.stresg. Franklin never had the. rep utation of being exceptionally constant In hli l|Ove8." », “Getting back to your woman In blue." muttered the sergeant between drafts on his stogy. They had halted on the front steps of the apartment. “Everything leads back to her. But then, what about young .'>T>^3rs? What do you think of my theory concern ing him now?" T y our questfonf-y^ an-sweg It.’’ * Peter declared wearily. “I’ll admit Tlie more h** revolved the question in his mind, tlie more certain Peter be came that the woman in blue w'as the key to the crime, and thait F'letclier. If he could be made to talk, cotud reveal carcfiflly. I mu.'t lie sure.’ Peter s;it asTri*le of a chair, facing the man. His lean brown fingers 1"!' , 1 .1 t . 1. 1 . falne*! If an*l dnimiiied a tatt*»o against his knee, in time to his racing thoughts. F'or the moment he seemed to have forgotten * the man he was questioning. “Who el.se had a 'cer t«* this place, F'letcher?" he deman'ii**!. ' “I—1 bei:; your jiardon. sir?" The qui'stlon evidently had caught the ser vant off halance. lie wiped the palms of his hand.' with his hamlkerclilef. fobling the limm *ar**fully lu'fiore re tiiniing It Id his p*M k«_‘L But Ite Jmd h*‘ard th** qu»-'t;«'n. <*le.Mrlv <*rioMgh, for a*Ter a long lT!t**r'al <if Jo*sHTif ion. lo* answered “If f1i**re irre any ittlu*r keys. sir. I d<tn’t know \viio has them.” “Tli**r»* have'Imsui a tiiiml»er of other n*»rneii In Frahkirn’s'lir*^ Fider con tinue*! evenlv. “.A great nianv, before you’ve built op a ver.v convincing case against him. Ip has just one flaw. Wliat could he have t.een doing with Jim Franklin’s revolver? They weren’t Intimate friends. How could he have obtained p**ssession of it?" ’’That Tsn*t- sd- thlnk. t’allis Sir’’ey prrjItaMy oh- ! passed ft^ on fo him. I agree with you on one point. I don’t think the Mow That killed F'ranklin c*>uld have l»een delivered hy a woman. But that d**esn’t let this girl cut—nor the woman in blue, either, if they were two flifferent p**rsons. If,we can only prove this girl f>;issed that gun on to f ’■I’m quit** sure that «'orr*Md. sir If tlo-r**’ ha<! Unm any other visitors, I should h:i\e knowyi It. I was here all tlie time." 1 'I'lie novelist was api»an*ntly en- grttssed in the lighting of a cigarette, hilt his eyes ncv*-r waver**d from the mah'jS fa*-*‘ "H**\v about the *lay be fore?’’ Ill* sli**j at tiim sii*ld»*T)ly. “I u> you rei-all what visit*»rs Franklin lia<l that <Iay?’’ i Til** man hesitate*!. “Th**r** haAe t.****n .so many things liapp«‘nitig. Mr. <’ar*!lg:in. I *b»irt r***all anything iin- I usual alHtiit that day. if that’s wliut ;-y*»u ni**an." , , “But there was n«*thing unusual IJ ^ alwuif vlsit**rs calling here to s«*e Mr. F'ranklin. was there?" "»di. no. sir. ftul unless there were s«uiiethii)g unusual alM»ut it. I coubln’t say exactly who called on any certain day.” t-. • "t’onie. ctriue. F'letcher.". Kilday in terrii|»te<l iin|»ufieiit]y. “That's only- two *lay8 a.g**. You wouldn’t have to have the niem**ry of an elephant to r«»tii«Ufii»«‘r'Tf7tTt. ’’ “No. sir. of o**urse net." But still tlo‘ '♦‘r\aiit faltere*!. - "Then what an* y«>» trying to hide?" deman«b*«J the «letectlve hruskJy. “Fni n*>t trying to hide anything, sir.—t-bare^»ne-fit»thing—" , Peter Interrupted him. "Perhaps it's n«>thing that you have done, but soiiietliing comvrning Mr. F'ranklin, t‘h*M*“T^?ioo. :in*l probaiily some Hllice, l!<»w l**rig has it b**«>u since one *>f fJu'K** «*»!*o*n \isit**i| your master li(‘re, F'li'tcher'*’’ *'' Siicars. we’ll have a case fiinned on him that will convince any jury. “But the Duly man wlio can lielp us find her is F'l«*t«lier. and lie won't fall;.", added the sergeiint grimly. “Tin-re’s one oih**r, cljam***.’’ rardl- gan ilisagr****! with him. “The fellow was positiv** lie’*! n**ver seen tin* n* volver i*efi»re. If h*' was telling ns iLe triitii. qH»rii;HiS Franklin kept it nt his ofli**e. Bet’s go am! s**<*.^ ' Milo lumbar ndmlffe*! f.h<*m fo his But the Girl Could Not Remember Ever Having Seen the Gun. private nrtice wiih*>iit,,(1*‘laY: “f~hope- h«*r l<Ieiitity. He couhi not share KiJ«lny's conviction rliat the case against \Vel»ster Si»**ar8 lack*-d only .^uL-ui!ii;atjug„i}ro<jf. _ "1 >i I, I rinkliirbw'n a gre**n I'atlillac .'tplan?" ua.s the lust qin*stion lie' aske*l of luirihar before They left. luinhar r**iili**d that Ik* did not. - ‘‘.lust like e\t*ry other trail \v(*’ve -b44g--Kil<la.v. ciimplain*>(l. as they head ed back to his ofth-e. “A blimj alley. I);m Bullis aiul F*letcher are tlie only yon gentlemen lune some (»r'Vgress to r**|Mi>rt.” he Itegaii. a(ier seatlfig them. **f ttrrTrk-;"-fhc K**r\anf rejilied slowly. - o-^iAceonling to the pai>ers, it’s begin- Re t 'hai ies FA I)unn w rote rwcnliy that theie art* 'ithtHHi |>rv«c»H*r> :n t'he United States ;*»t>king ft*r iol*>: churche.' u!iai>.t‘ to Kt-ep fuii-t aie 1<ea**-s *>n;y one set UtrB- ,V\. iial a Cent; aM w 6f , smaU pr:nts. w hiefi T think w ere m.a*1e the < hurch Life In.'at ante company of* by a wr»m?in, ■|vr*ff'ntffy'"t^ New York which o|>eiate> for the hen- bhie- “That also identifies an*»ther set of f.r.ger-|*nnts In the study." <b*«*lared Kibiay. “Tl.ey had alreatly l»een matclied w'5th th s tliumh-i»rmt. It uni«lentifie*l—the efit of the clergy and lav W'*rk.ens of the P rotestant Fp.scopal churv'n an*I their famihe.-. The rejHtrt .'h*>w> a |>er cen' :n- crea««e in in'^’amv ami iVI i»er *-en* increase in annuit.e' f..r *r.e f:’‘'P qAiarlei’ of ovef the >.n;:ia’- i>e- nod of la>' year. 'Th:- f gurc' x-em contrailictoi v *^be woman In hhie," agree*! the no\»-!i»t. “Just b*‘eaiis«* we *h*ti't know who she is. we *’an't overJ«**'k her. It’s j •j'r‘»e l•l<lS.^^^V this fifth s«*t of prints i Way uj) a’ ti,e corr.e* *<5 K*>>adway and 2'*4th sireft stand.' ’he ■•n >• re maining farm buii*! rg «>f the e gh- teenth century .n .Manha’.’an. I* :> Hyckman. hc u.-e. .ere*'-ed «>- \A .h.ani Hyckman in IT**' an*! now ..x i a> a museum. w^ ma*fe by her " K’t!d.»r ehuek'ed S**ftly. “Now it *!-*-'U't s-' ba*l." he sal*! "AA'hcn p»d^»' ifM’.’f ri;i»*h fh*‘ one - r - *»-*•'ver I'll a*i'n t I l»«'g:in to :ve slip;* ”g *tut fr»>m nn ■-I > I'-g' k it fits |4ett*'r P. I*. -.O There are some iiueer occupations in New York. Tnere’s one’man over on fjexingtun avenue , who ha.' the mu^; complete file of .scrap book:- in town. When an artist want.' an authentic picture of a costume, an animal, or a gadget of some kind, if he canT f:nd one in his own f.le of ^crap^. he can be pretty sure he can rent .: there. k* ». ' rirrg netweea mm an*i iio* Wmk the stre^ of the T.nie> t>quare . , ... w J- . ; cirt. e!ie might have done it diatnct for just a little while and jrou art sure to run into a crowd watch- iai! the mechanical ma^ He’s a real maa, dreaeed .in tin soldier costume,’ ataadin# aad moving in tin sold^ fashion. His eyes are so coatroUed that for minutes at a time there’s aary - a blink. He works oa contract, one attractinf cuatomers to a hor- alMa^, the neat to a cut-rate ^oia or peffaapa one of thoae T’»:»' M liK'l.v htmclf t r»-v,T woui*! h;i\c PKiughf of j ' ' Fr.r t;’> print *>n tlic ; I .. ,.j. ,.,1 ..'.v t»us tlini h** * ’ »• P in t!ic gurden ■ .' nr '-•-re * ’ a tn-M :»r.»uii<l the ronrn, t».-J/i.<l hi.' b:j<*k. hiij ■ **•! in tho.uglii ".At .nny ’H-gun si v ly. “tliis gives us ;• .ire to start. If we find the ’ 3.»man wh** had the *»p*M»r • r>Tn-*ve Franklin’s revolver r- im it sh«mld help." [ F* like *'hoo <'h**o." nilis*'*! “She had aert'ss to I s roo:M' *»r. If we ran |*n>ve there v •' u-m rb’rg lietweea him and the Shiide* Tint may be what she's trying to I,■*■.»•.'■ “She tred to fMwtect Rylie «’!rm*H|\ first." Ivter pointed out. ‘tw s'e* | x-ems io he protecting Webster Stmurs. ^ ll**« <l*ies that eonnect up v 'th the mn?" “Suppuae." the detective veiuur**' **tkat she gave Rylie the gin U> ’ * vonid he the. one she'd try t** pr«*t«K-i i Bat ater. If she dlscovere*! t.'i.vi he ' R aa to youn-' «■•*<• rs a?s*’r • - i; .:f. * r rut 'r» • ♦r lu Klhl ;r. "Then What Are You Trying to Hide?" ) rafteoTMaCa tiMt Io the s^raat that y«»u think had liest remain ui> known." His l«»iie w’as kindir “X*»w I was F'raitkiin’s friend. t**o. Fletcher If there is s**iiie in*-i*ieiit that shoiibl n'uiain a s**cret. I *an pr**niise .v*»i> that neither of us is anxious to inak* it known, provitled. of course, that It lias n*ithins to do with his 4bviih. Bin you must let us be the Jii*ige of that Fletclier shnisjri*rf. His face n* tnained an imiKtsisive mask, l*ehin*’ which I'ttrdigan’s keen ghihie failtNl i< •enetrate. “I’m sorry' y*>u misnmle^ -to<Hl me. sir., There’s n*>tlifiy.g |o «-*»» •eal. It’s otil.v that I <^**n t re«'nU III''* •vh** came here that day.*’ •*. “Was Riillis here?" Kib'a.v d« 'naiKled. ^in-«tr.—nis...mtw‘rf that "fhat Mr. Fratik'ln was very much In love with Miss Train,, sir. I don’t be lieve rh**r»f haw l»«‘e.n any other \v«>mpn he has r.in**! f**r. r*'<**ntly. except," he ad*ie*i a|«>logeticalIy. "Miss (’jir- mi4*lv. of c«*urx*" Tlie n«»velisi puffed llioughtfully .on his cigarette and studie*! the man he- f«»re him fhrmigh the fwile cloini of ex pelled srfioke. “You're very careful how you word It. Fletclier.” lie oli- served. “I notice .vou say nothing ahout any women who may have been in love with Mr. F'Ynnklln., regardless ; of how he felt in the matter. It isn’t always easy to break off a love affair with a woman, even for a person of •Jim Franklin’s accomplishments along that line. Perhaps there has been a j wontan answering this description who has c:ille«l here rect'ntly?" ' “N*»t—not that I can recall. Mr. r.a nil’grin." t "lli*w alMiiit phone calls?j Ha.s any woman b«vn calling lie^ jroiieatedly, in the past few days?" "There have l*een ninny calls, of course.’’ F'letcher faltere*!. “But I couhln'l tell y«»u who they were fnmi. Miss Train, yes. and Mb** F’^trmody. ~ If there have lM*en others, I couldn't say who they were." * “Bill there were others?" * ' “I**>sslhly. I really couldn’t answer yes or no." Th^ man’s manner had grown less reUictiilit aow. .4 "Have .von ever seen this before. ! Fletcher?" In his palm ranligan ex tended the revolver found In the rec tory ganlen. The servant'made no move to touch ; It. "No. Kir. 1 don’t know nutch almut , guns," "But ihis’‘one'T»elbhfired - lln ’ Surely you’ve seen It before.” "I didn’t know he had a gun. air. I had never seen it. I think there must be some rilst.ake." ‘ “ “He pr**bahly kept it in a drawer In the be*lro*im. or In |ils desk." Peter stiggesie*!. "If be •‘UlLX-SbbUM have-known It. Mr ♦’ardi-jan." the man Insisted. "Fve never seen ll b**fore. I’m sure tliere's h*H'n .some mistake," Peter ri*se abrujitly "TliatN all. I thlffk " he sal*t But he paused with one han*l *m the door, for a final ques- I tlon. “AA'ho h.as lieen here since ^yes ter*1:i> evening? Anyone?" > I “Nti sir. N«it since you left last night" "He’s not telling us all he knows." I gr»>\\ le«1 Kibiay after the door had . *>]ose*l liehind them * t Xl’m sure of that." the novelist agree*!. “But why? ! don’t think F'leti-her had anything to do with ■ F'ranklln’s mrinler. After all. he’s only a servant. Where would the mo- j five be?" } “1 couldn’t see a motive Tor W^h -fttug-to. lo*i|ik lik*^ a political crime. If Tim was killtnl over this magistrjite in vestlgatii*n. then the g«*vernor—’’ I "He .wasn’t." SerirearP KiMay iriter- rui>f**'l him bluntly. "I d<>rrt tliiiik l' I>an Bullis h'**’ anything to do with It excofit. iM»ssil*!.v. to shi*‘I*l the w*unan in the case. He jiroliahTy has to do that. h.***aux* that woman o\«‘rlK*ard I his conversati*»n with I'ranklin. If he identifies her. she can tell what she knows.' nn«l It’s pr**hahly plenty. But we think niaylte we can find the wom an W’itlmiit any help from Bullis." “t4oo«l. .As I told you yesterday. If thcK-’s any way I can lielji you—’’ “There Is. Mr. Dunbar. We want you to identify the re\’*»lver that Mr. F'ranklin kept In his desk drawer." Milo Dunbar toe*k the weapon Kil day extended, and examlnefl It care fully. “Fm afraid I can't he of mucli help on that sctire. Sergeant. I didn't, even know- .liiu lia*l a gun." "He iMtiight that two years ago." Kibiay |M>inte*l to the s«*rinl nurnlmr stami‘ed *>n the weapon. “A\*'e keep the regi.stfatlon of all guns sold. There c-irff i‘e any d*»uht alw^uit that he[ff^ his. We’re anxl<v.is to find wliere he kept it." “Of course." Dunbar agreed. “Jim could have kept a d*»zen gurisi jn his •office without my knowledge. Perhaps- hls 8e«*retary c*>uld help us. I’ll see." Before he could touch the button on his desk. 1‘eter Interrupted him. "Not two w’lio cati iib'titnyrirriFWirrmaTi'-for— us. .but neither one of them will talk." '“AVe’II find her." Peter reas.siired him. "We’ve got to find her. It seems to me that, one way or anotlier. she sup|tli«**l tlie motive for tliis crime." Kilday sfo[ii»ed and lauglieii aloud. “Why dbln't I fliiiik of tliat lK*fure?" he H.tlved. an*t''tlien., tiof waiting for tiie (jui-stion Peter’s ll|)s. continue*!. "Tliaf s*>*lan jiarked in fnmt of Si>ears’ last riiglil was a f'adillac ami 'it be longed to t'allis Sliipley. 'Did you no- tlee its color? Was It green?” “No go*>d.’’ declared Peter. "I had thought of that, but unless Bullis was deliberately trying to throw us off the track, the woman in blue couhi not have be«*n Gallis Sliliiley. A’ou forget she never left the church at that time. She returned to the front. She was one of the bridesmaids an*l was in the church when the crime was discovered, only a few minutes later.” The sergeant meditated on this. “Tliat's right, of course. But did Bullis tell us the truth? Was tliere a green ra«lillac at nil? We have rea son to believe he Isn’t anxious for the woman in blue to Ik? found because she couiil reveal what passe*! between him and F'ranklin during that inter view. That being true, that may be a detail out of his own imagination, sim ply to throw us off pe tfaci.” “That’s possible of course," Peter admitted. Kilday retunie*! to his former theory of the crime. "After all," he declared with much earnestness. Pwho do we know tri**d to stop this wedding? Webster Spears. Rylie Carinody, too. I « yet.’” he cautioned. "I want to know iomethffig about his a^retary, first-j or^ourseV hut ■hi;'*’.c'tlr^r‘wa^’InsH la she young-attractive? , Ambrose Carmody The attorney shrugged. “Passably . vestibule of the so. I hadn t noticed. Ill call her, and ; jhat fact Is pretty well es- let you Jinlge for yourself , tablished. Both Itoctor Ahernnthv and - rUonX-lclL- her who we are.” the i novelist cauthmeil. “Make some ex cuse to talk to her. without mention ing the revolver. It Is barely imsslhle she may be the la*fy In blue we are looking for. She certainly would have had an excellent opp«irtunity to re- Nlck Royce tajked with Franklin after the senior Tarmody left the study. Choo Choo Train was the last person we know of that saw F'ranklin alive. ROyce saw her step into the study with him. a few’ minutes before the -crime was committed. And vet It move the weapon if it was kejit in his doesn’t sc'em pos.'iMe that she could ' '■ I have deliw>red the ileath blow .Adde*! The girl w as calie*!. ■rTr’‘~f7njnrtr we^'^ ,the Tnct w hi. li she. lierseK. point*'*! *iut. Slie was known “J wish you’*I get '■me .Mr. Franklin’s tile of iinan.'weced mail.Miss Wil^m," said Dunbjir. “I shall need it. In straightening out his affairs.” “\’i’»t the girl In blue, olivlously." de claretl Canligan.-aiter she had left. Miss AVil.s*>n w a« aMraefive. and in her early twenties, hut was decide*lly a bnihette. "\*»t unless she wore a wig." Kild.ay 8d«le*1. Peter sh«mk his head. "Not with her col*>riiig.” he declared positively. “She conldn’t get away with ft. Call her h.‘i«'k. Mr. Dunbar. I^et's ask her about the revolver." But the girl could not remember ever having seen the gun. although ahe was familiar with Franklin’s affairs. ster Spears at first." declared the sef^T-and had frequent access to his desk, geaiit. Then he shook his shoulders j “When he is out of the etty,^ she ex- wecirilv “This case Is giving me the 1 plaliieil. “it Is often necessary for me willies." he r*»mplalne*J. “I’ll he stis to find pa|>ers In his desk. I’m sure i l»e«-tirg .v*»u. next. Well, wliar do yon | I would have n«ttioet1 It, If the gun bad j rhink now? Ther^ were no new leads . lieen there. It wasn’t." ' to be his mistress and she knew U*)y<*e had soon b*'r enti*r that mun w’it'i him. If d*>esn’t s«*om reasonable t*» ht'lievp that she w’mild have cornmittf'd the crime iin*ler these' circumstances. Slie was too, openly Inviting sn. plclon to be contemplating a crime. •- "I>oct*tr Aberna.’hy was in the church. We know that. Thini**! Bullis had a motive, hiit^he evidently had left bef«)re .Ambrose Carmody- was adniit- to the study. Of CfUirse,” the de-^ tective admitted, “he might have re turned later, hnt I hardly think so. He, too. had walked In there openly, and every one knew he and Franklin were enemies. That wasn't the way he would havi* gone ah*mt It If he "had ^ had Franklin’s revolver In his pocket and was idanning.a murder. I. SLEEPER RESTORED Wkatcsw thfi. rMMOD wmm, she never seen Mr. Rrilils. althnugh I’* there, and I’ve got to see-the district attorney right after 't4»nch. If I don’t | have Sttffieflliing. It’ll be just too had.’ “And vet," the novelist a ns were' , slowly, “we know that the munlerer ' • arrie*1 Franklin’s revolver to the •-hurrh yt'sterday afternoon. That is ^•wrtalii. Tlie. aliii|»leMt sort oi Jogie “How a!*ont the safe?" Seaboarfl annoiinces the sleeper to "Only Mr. Franklin and .Mr. Dun from Richnontl snd Washington bar had access to the private section ith'at was temporarily discontinued *'<Hivtn<w« its t&dl ll mutt DaYV'fiCili' V of the safe. It might h.'ive iM'eu there without my knowledge, of course," site admitted. . "He might have kept it in IRr pii rate drawer there.” Dunbar volun -fon -ekamlneri Iasi has.been restored on Trains 5 and 6. See any Ticliet Agent for reservations, or write, W. L. McMORRIS,' •-r Aset, Phaaeager -Traffie M gp„—- SAL RY., Atlanta, Ga. \