South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-04


abandoned and locked room OF bis home,
the Cedars CIrcumstan.ial ev e &c
points 10 the guilt OF Bobby. who Is IN.
able 10 establish an abb as result OF
life" In New York, spent In company
Of Parades, from Panama. and Marie, a
Spanish woman. he awAkes In de-
serted shack near the Cedars and goes
Katherine. and Graham, a friend. Al
agree that mystery surrounds the death
Of the old man, who was one or many
Blackburns to die In same manner.
Strange signs invariably mark tie occa-
siOE Of a death in the room.
The sun was up when they reach
ed the Cedars. Katherine had gone
TO her room. The coroner had left.
Robinson and Graham had built
fresh fire in the hall They sat
there, talking.
Where you been?" Robinson de-
manded. Wed about decided the
spooks had done for you"
The detective outlined their fail
ure The district attorney listened
with a frown. AT the end he arose
and without saying anything, walk
ed TO the telephone. When he re-
turned he appeared better satisfied.
Mr.. Paredes," he said. will have
to DE a slick article 20 make a clean
getaway. And I'm bringing an
other man to keep reporters out.
They'll know from Howells' murder
that Mr.. Blackburn didn't die a
natural death. If reporters get in
don't talk to them. l don't want
that damned foreigner reading in
the papers what's going on here.
I'd give my job to have him in that
chair for five minutes now
Graham cleared his throat
4 scarcely know how TO suggest
this, since il is sufficiently clear,
because Of Howells' suspicious, that
you have Mr.. Blackburn under close
observation. But he has a fair idea
of Paroles habits, his haunts, and
his friends in New York. He might
be able to learn things the police
couldn't. I've one or two matters
to take me to town. 1 would make
myself personally responsible for
his return"
The district attorney interrupted.
81 see what you mean. Wait a
minute
He clasped his hands and rolled
his fat thumbs one around the
other. The little eyes. surrounded
by puffy flesh. became enigmatic.
All at once he glanced up with a
genial smile.
why not? I haven't said any
thing about holding Mr.. Blackburn
as more than a witness"
His tone chilled Bobby as thor
oughly as a direct accusation would
have done.
And" Robinson went on, ''the
sooner you go the better. The soon
er you get back the better"
Graham was visibly puzzled by
this prompt acquiescence. He start
ed for the stairs, but the district at
torney waved him aside.
Goats and hats are downstairs
No need wasting time"
Graham turned to Doctor Groom
You'll tell Miss Perrine, Doctor %
The doctor showed that he un-
derstood the warning Graham wish
ed 10 convey.
The district attorney made a point
! of walking TO the stable to see them
off. Graham gestured angrily as
they drove away.
It's plain as the nose on your
| face. was too anxious 10 test then
| attitude toward you. Bobby. He
Of the house. He'll have severa
hours during which to turn the place
| upside down, to give Katherine the
| third degree. And we can't &c
back. Wen have to see il through
Why should he give me a chance
| to slip away?" Bobby asked.
But before long he realized thar
Robinson was taking no chances. A
1 the junction OF the road from
Smithtown a car picked them VI
and clung to their heels all the wa,
to the city.
"Rawlins must have telephoned.'
Graham said. while we went TO tn,
stable. They're still playing Ho
wells game. They'll give you plent,
OF rope"
He drove straight to Bobby
apartment. The elevator man veri
fed their suspicious. Robinson ha,
teIephoned the New York police 70
a search. A familiar type of met
ropOlitan detective met them in tn,
hall outside Bobby's door.
I'm through. gentlemen" n,
1 greeted them impudently.
Graham faced him in burst o
temper.
The city may have to pay 70
/ this outra ge.''
The man grinned.
Il should get gray hairs abou
that"
He went on downstairs. The,
entered the partment 70 find con
fusion in each room. Bureau draw
ers had been turned upside down
The desk had been examined wit
reckless thorOughness. Graham
was frankly worried.
Il wonder if he found anything
II he did you won't get out o
town"
What could he hnd?' Bobby ask
ed.
"Tf the court was planted " Cra