Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-17
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A'A less, but his heart sank: the bullet.
safely tucked in his pocket, which he
had dug out of the outer wall OF La
Montagne's apartment, was also of
thirty-two caliber. Could it be that
that also was merely a coincidence?
Shaking off his depression with an ef-
fort. he Joined the others about the
dining table Just as Mitchell asked:
Exactly where were you sitting on
Thursday night?'
Hayden and Maynard indicated their
seats, and the former added:
"Burnham sat there. almost with
his back to the window"
And Mr.. Palmer sat facing Mr..
Burnham." Mitchell laid his hand on
chair and looked from where he
stood across the room. Surely, Mr..
Palmer, you had good view of the
window; you must have caught a
glimpse of any one standing in the
window"
But wasn't facing the window"
protested Palmer II left the table
little before the shooting"
"Where did you go?" asked Mitchell.
"Over to the window" Palmer
joined the group about the table. "1t
was an overcast foggy night, and
did not see any one on the balcony. I
had just turned my back to the
window when the shot was fired at
Burnham."
Mitchell thought for a moment, then
walked over to the window and looked
out. The balcony in effect was an
Italian loggia. shaded with Venetian
blinds from the glare of the sun, and
ran the length of the living.room and
on past the French window opening
into the hall of Palmer's apartment.
The balcony was fairly wide and Pal
mer had fitted it up with wicker
lounging chairs, canvas couch, a
number of pretty mats and table.
Several artistic wicker bird.cage
swinging electric lamps added to the
attractiveneS of the cool little retreat.
"And none of you heard a sound?"
asked Mitchell.
I'VE heard no sound" Palmer had
suddenly become the spokesman. "The
man evidently used a Maxim silencer.
Thugs do, you know" he commented
as Mitchell raised his eyebrows.
''Yes, thugs do" admitted Mitchell.
But how about Captain La Mon.
tagne? Where does he come in?"
''FIe didn't come in" Palmer, as he
spoke, strolled over to the door and
into the reception hall. when
Burnham and 1 rushed out here we
found La Montague standing in the
corridor just outside my door. The
door was open as we'll as the hall
window opening on the balcony"
"I see." Mitchell jotted down sew.
eral notes in his memorandum book
and then dropped it in his pocket as
he turned to Maynard. Were you
the last person to come into the apart.
ment before the shooting?"
ITO the best of my knowledge
was" Maynard looked at his com
panions. THAT is right, Palmer, isn't
it?"
"Yes."
Mitchell opened the hall door and
examined the lock. Did you happen
to notice, Mr.. Maynard. if the door
was closed firmly behind you?"
II never noticed" admitted May
nard. "Siki closed the door; didn't"
The detective addressed Palmer. as
it your custom to leave the night latch
DOWN."
"Sometimes; not often"
Before closing the outer dool
Z Mitchell stepped into the corridor ant
surveyed it, after which he re-enteret
the apartment Have any of yol
taken up this matter with Captain Ii
Montagne?" he asked.
1--WE did" Palmer laid his hand oil
Maynard's shoulder. La Montagn'
told us he stopped only to inquire thu
way to Mrs. Van Ness's apartment
and that he saw a chauffeur leav
here a second before he arrived. ant
that he found the door partly OPEN
"Ah. indeed" Mitchell frowned il
indecision before he again spoke
4Have you taken any steps to prov
the truth Of his statement"
There was faint pause before May
nard spoke. 1--WE tried to locate tn
taxi-driver but without success"
TOO bad" Mitchelrs frown deep
ened. did Captain La Montague dc
scribe the mans appearance"
.only to state that he wore
ehauireur's outfit" Maynard hesitat
ed before adding, Captain La Nor
tagne said he did not obtain a goo
look at the mans face as he ran ava
from him and up the staircase"
.But can describe his looks,
broke In Palmer. He's the man W
saw on the next fioor-medium heigh
red hair and freckles. Mitchell" an
the detective took down the descrir
ton. "His first name Is Sam" adde
Palmer. HE drives for me quit
often and works for the Potoma
Garage"
Hold on" Maynard interrupted
his turn. 1--WE seen Sam and he d.
clares he did not stop here Thursda
night"
~,.., xxt..l.,t ,toraa .t Mavnar,