The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-13

full to have Mike on tap for day or
two. Now here's something else. Have
you read anything about this murder at
Fernhurst
Il saw something ABOUT it in the pa
pers."
His chief picked photograph up
Lourne, one Of Lloyd's assessors. n
here about It. He brought In this phn-
tograph. That's Mrs. Peck Recognize
Patton studied the picture with puz-
zle6 face. 1t was that of beautiful
woman in evening dress and much be-
jeweled. Suddenly r@eolIectiton came
She's come along some II this pIctur"
isn't any fake. It's five or six years
since l ran across her. and then she
handnt an n to her name; ,. II was
II thought you'd remember her. The
others tone was significant Well
she's been in the States some years, and
she was pretty friendly with Nike.
Il see. I shouldn't wonder if you're
right. sir. II he was involved In this
murder business it would explain why
he was so scared when VIC got him.
I'll look into this.
You might make a few inquiries. l
think. We've had request from the
county police 10 send man down.
You'd better 70. IS you've been handling
Mike.
Paxton took his, departure. twisting
his mustache meditatipely.
He was in no hurry 10 get down 20
Frenhurst. II Mike had really had a
hand in the murder The first step would
be TO trace his recent relations to Mrs.
Peck" and that could be more readily
carried through in London than any
where else. In the criminal record Of
81 - &, h., data tJ.n hat
library ut the British Museum Is to the
student. he found an ancient photograph
Of Khaki Annie. This, with the one the
superintendent had handed him and a
! short description Of the girl. he sent to
be reproduced and circulated through
out London.
Then he slipped down by the under
ground to the city, where the firm OF
assessors acting for Lloyd's met him
with something like Elce. -,
Excellent men. the country police,
said Lournr. n Young man OF 80. who
had himself unravcled many insurance
frauds. loyal and energetic and all That
sort Of thing. don't you know. but they
haven't the experience when it comes TO
q really big problem. On my soul. had
! the greatest difficulty in persuadins
them to arrest the woman. though II
was plain az Il pikcstaff that the "hoie
,, of the furniture had been drenchcd with
petrol. We shall feel safer with Yard
man on the case"
whats her explanation" asked Pax
ton. ayr
Lourne elevated his eyebrows. My
dear man. she's got none. It's a trarne-
F, I'D from the word go. She's got this poor
pigeon. Peck. anil rushed him OFF TO the
registry office. then round to the lnsur-
! ance companies then down to the coun-
try. and next thing we hear Is this. Like
so many incendiarieS she "rerdld the
petrol that's all. OF course It's pos
! sible that she doped the man before
hand though If she did poison him
! there's no chance Of proving it. There 3
| not enough left OF him for that"
no need to prove that observer
Paxton. IF she set fire to the place
and he died through hat ,1;S yGmEe got al
yes. I know that. But things are
| bit weak you know. We Gun only say
that petrol was used and that she had
strong motive to do away with her hus-
band. And she's just the kind OF woman
| 10 impress jury--frngile. pale. pathctic
! looking ande great actress. You should
have seen her when she was arrested.
Paxton met his eyes with r. CLINT OF
| amusement The truth Is. you're think
| ing that unless there's u conviction your
clients lose 10000. You've got no views
Of abstract justice in this case.
Lourne unabashed. IT'S on abstract
| justice that you come in. She's quite de-
! termined if she Is q good-looker. She as
| god as said that this was plant Of the
! insurance companies and that they
would suffer for it. that don't believe
she's guilty. It's deliberately planned
/ cnidblooded murder, II ever there was
| one In this world
Yes. it begins to lok like that"
agreed the inspector. II shall be go
| ing down to Frenhurst in on hour or
| two. but there's lone little thing I'll get