Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-23
The Altenburg Case.
By GEORGE DYRE ELDRIDGE.
COPYRIGHT. GEORGE DYRE E1.DR1DGE
COPYRIGHT 1909, BY GEORGE DYRE E1DRIDGE


make a dozen mems regulations as first
class liars. When this thing is over to
lie like Phil Barber Will become pro-
verb of Lanceboro
"Well?'
Its altogether too complicated We
know that Altenburg had some dealings
with GrimbleshaW, we know that those
dealings concerned some overdue notes
| Grimhieshaw had given"
NO We don't know that" interrupted
Trafford. Don't let's put ii any stronger
than the facts.
We'll. We guess. ii that suits better for
this particular phase Of the business.
though the Lord knows we've been talk
ing about knowing things that we don't
know half so well. We guess that GER
tain overdue noses given by Grimbleshaw
had come into Altenburgs hands and
{, were the subject of the dealings between
the two. Grimbleshaw has a talk with
-Atenburs over the phone. and certainly
doesn't pay the notes. for Altenburg Is
going to call him up again. Before he
can do ii Altenburg is murdered. Grim
bleshaw discovers the murder and tells "A
cock bull story of being called ON the
telephone. He is called on the telephone.
but nobody knows from where. The call
suggests AtenburG. whom he is expect
ing will call him
Hold on interrupted Trafford lets
have the sorry present as few difficulties
as possible. Altenburg does call him and
tells him he wants that money. Grimble-
shaw sees his chance. tells him that ne
will bring it. goes and murders Alien
burg. That accounts naturally for the
telephone call. at least
by George. Trafford." exclaimed Fry,
enthusiastically. you've hit it, | don t
mind owning now that that telephone call
bothered me-.
ITS no use to own it now said Traf
ford. gravely. You should nave done it
before
1t was one of those rebukes. the very
force of which lies in their simplicity. 1t
not often that Trafford called his
when he did it was with words that star
tied by their difference to the ordinary
rebuke. To Fry it was staggering
blow.
Yes lie admitted. yes. you'd have
done it," 1t was the most abject of con-
LESSONS shat he had failed before his
master.
Well" said Trafford kindly and en-
couragingly. we've done some pretty tall
guessing. now lets get at some facts.
The only thing | can really get round
is Phil Barber
Another confession. Just now you dis
posed of him liar. Put him on the
stand and he'll go to states prison as
Grimbleshaw.s accomplice. and the prose-
cutting attorney won't have to half try.
There isn't a grain Of value to any
thing he says
Sometimes liar proves the most valu-
able of witnesses, declared Trafford.
What do you find valuable in this par
ticular liars lying?' asked Fry.
THAT he should think he had to invent
some startling reason for being fright
ened,' answered Trafford 1T shows that
he really was frightened. and the cause
invented shows that he was terribly
frightened.
.Humph'' grunted Fry. Il don't see
as it needs lie to prove that he was
scarf. an / don't see that the lie helps
us 4 bit to find out why he was scarf.
-.Ah. but it was too silly ever TO have
been invented by Grimbleshaw.
You're trying to shield that man,
said Fry, brusquely.
Yes said Trafford. against unjust
suspicion. AT time like this, somebody
has got to stand between public madness
and it's readiest victim. It's TOO early
for the courts. for that presupposes Off
cia accusation. when half the mischief s
already done beyond REMEDY. There's no
body to do it at this stage but the inves-
tiga;or. the county attorney. nomlnaiiy;
the detective in reality.
i've heard you say that before.
groWled Fry who was Il trifie bored.
Yes and you'll hear me say it again,
answered Trafford The state has no
more right To brand unJustly mans
reputation than it has in the same way
to take his property or his life. Men
who'd shudder at the thought of stealing
or killing for personal gain. viii stab
mans reputation without WlnklnS. mere
~ to gain for themselves public plaudits
OF the two kinds of criminal ! rather
take to the first
..All right" said Fry. who knew the
uselessness of argument when Trafford
once mounted his hobby. only don't shut
the door 50 tight that there hain't d
crack through which YOU can watch this
Grimbleshaw.
why
so that You can see that if he couldn t
have invented Phil BARRIERS story after
he heard it. he could make his tit to it
10 a t-y-ty. Barber told his first.
(To be continued tomorrow