Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-08


pathics were naturally on the side of his
victims, She could always be depended
on to say the right thing
"Wcll. I won't dctain you any long
cr.' Paul observed, rising. But what
was your own personal opinion. Colonel
Tcdyard, of the controversy your
daughter had started? Did YOU agree
with her that Mrs. IIartshornc had
been accepted too readily without ere
dcntials?"
Il was on the fence. too. like Mrs
Cowlcs. The colonel laughed 1T
did strike me. when Trix spoke. that
we had all been pretty easy. but
never suspected that there was any
thing actually wrong with the little
woman: don't know what to think
even now. Her financial affairs were
straight as a string and she didn't seem
the kind TO get mixed up in n personal
scandal. I hope you'll let us know
when YOU discover anything"
Paul went straight to headquarters
and sought an interview with his chief,
during which he told of the discovery
of the second bullet aud all that it
implied.
Il examined those windows in the
conservatory very carefully" he added.
None of the pancS of glass had been
replaced RECENTLY. but the catch was
comparatively simple, aud window
pole stood in Il corner. In spite of
the colonel's orders that the windows
-lpIl lI In ,,l,l,I
been simple matter for any of the
guests TO have opened one if he or she
felt inclined for more air.
How about the outsider demanded
the Chief. 'Could they have been
opened from there"
No. The sash could not have been
reached, in the first place After re-
plying TO your telephone call. | went
oV"r the ground thoroughly. Tlr win
doWs open on n narrow strip of gar
den and are about ten feet from the
ground. with a ledge running along the
entire length four feet below the level
of the windows. upon which q reason
ably active person might easily climb
from the steps at the end that lead IN
to the sealed door.
There was access TO the garden
through the tradosman gate, which I
ascertained was left open on the night
of the dance for the employees of the
caterer"
But look here" Chief Burke ex-
postuated, "Nourc taking lot for
What makes YOU so certain
that neither Beatrice Lcdyard nor
Swarthmore did the ShoOting?"
Paul made a gesture of impatience.
Because each of them suspects the
other, though on her part she wouldn't
admit it in so many words and Swarth-
more only broke down and betrayed
what he thought when | led him to be-
lieve that she had virtually confessed
10 the murder. Then he skipped. as |
expected him to. but | had already
notified the federal authorities and I've
no doubt they'll round him up for the
dirty work he has been doing on gov
ernment contracts"
Then we're no nearer the finish of
this case than when we started :" the
chief lamented You've eliminated
some more deadwood but we don't
huoN tHlHS ABOUT tue woman or her
paSt---'
Just a moment" Paul interrupted
quietly. DO you remember the affair
up in Riverboro about four years ago.
when the principal bank there was
wrecked by its president and he was !
sent to Atlanta?'
Sure, responded the chief promptly. |
'Nenas Prall, his name was The truth /
came out just before the war started
and he beat it, but they caught him in
New York trying TO book passage for
some nonextradition port But what
has he got to do with it?' "
"If they had an alarm out for him
his description may be on file in the
records here" Paul remarked. ignoring
the question. Ask one of the boys to
look it up, will you. chiefE'
His superior complied and when the
clerk had departed upon his errand re
turned to the attack.
What are you driving at anyway? /
Where does he come in on the Harts-
horne AFFAIR."
II don't know that he does" Paul /
admitted frankly is just chance .
shot. but I mean TO satisfy myself
about it. He has just been let out .
m suspended sentence. you know, and
We got a hunch that the news wasn't !
pleasing to Mrs. Hartshornc. If n
'an discover some link which connects
hem in the past it may open up new
inc of investigation,
The clerk reappeared and laid a com
telegraphic in its brevity,
before the Chief,
There you are. The latter glanced .
ovcr the document and handed it TO
lis subordinate.
Age. fifty four " Paul read.
Height. five, feet ten, Weight. $50. /
light blue eyes, slightly near sighted.
10 glasses. Smooth face. thick gray .
rair Quiet. conservative dresser
Well, chief, | guess that's all I need.
IN leaving town for a few days; don't /
know how long | shall be away, but /
I'll keep in touch with you. Anyway,
IN look in on you again before | go. - :
With this Chief Burke was rcuc
antly forced to be content and Paul .
ook his departure.
CONTINUED TOMORROW