The Jasper news., 1920-09-16

OF the wall safe, located similarly TO
the one IN the apartment above, was
standing wide open,
Quirkly sprang 70 inspect the room
corresponding to mine, room, Il will
be recalled, opening on the sitting
room. Here, too, was darkness, and
as turned on the lights, stood
aghast with horror.
On the floor, close up to the inner
wall, lay the contorted body OF a beau
tiful young woman. Bier eyes were
wide open and staring. One arm was
twisted under her, and the other hand
was clutching at the front Of her
bodice, where a blotch of CHASTITY red
indicated the path Of the shot that
Lid heard.
"It's Miss Lutan," said Mr.. Wick's
voice behind me.
'She's been murdered I cried; "get
the police at once"
As bent over her to see II there
was any evidence Of life, i saw i'm
printed in her tender white throat the
marks of her assailant's brutal fingers.
Come" said. help me lift her on
to this couch, and then telephone at
once for a DOCTOR"
Mr.. Wick had been all the while
Standing there. staring ut the body as
IL stupefled by the tragedy, but he
obeyed my directions, and with him at
her feet and at her head we laid her
down on the couch, where proceeded
to loosen hec gown and to try by arti-
f1cial respiration to restore her blood
to circulation.
"Get the doctor at once" com
manded again, "and phone for the po-
lice."
"John," called out Mr.. Wick, "go
to the phone and tell Miss Kelly to
send for Doctor Hunt to come at once"
"Tell her to get the police, too."
insisted.
"And let the burglar escape while
we're doing It." objected Mr.. Wick.
"Come on, let's look through the apart
ment He may be hiding somewhere
STILL"
Together, while the boy was 'phon-
ing, we went from room to room, peer
Ing Into closets and under beds. There
was no one there and no traces Of the
murdereTs presence. Even the serv-
ants quarters were untenanted. Only
one thing happened that struck me as
peculiar. AS started up the hall to
search the bedrooms, looked back
and caught Mr.. Wick furtively closing
the wall safe. His action in surrepti-
tiOusly closing this without saying
anything to me made me suddenly sus- 4
piclops of him. / recalled that Detec-
tive German had put Mr.. Wick into his
circle Of suspects along with the bur-
glars wife. Could It be possible that
the superintendent of the building him.
Gelf was In connivance with the band
Of criminals who had been harassing
the Brndfords and me7 ] determined
to watch his every move.
There's no one here" / said. as we
completed our round Of the various
rooms. The murderer has made his
escape. Hasn't that boy 'phoned for
the police yetT'
Mr.. Wick seemed so averse to cnrry-
ing out my suggestion about the police
suspicion In my voice.
~ think had better ask Mr.. Kent
about It first" he said nervously.
"Who's Mr.. KentT / demanded.
My thoughts were so taken up with
the unexpected tragedy that the name
at first meant nothing to me. Sud-
denly remembered. 1t was TO the
apartment Of Mr.. Henry Kent that
Miss Kelly had 'phoned last night
when she was dining with me. re-
called, too, that German had charged
me to find out all could about him.
"Who's Mr.. Kent1" repeated
sharply. whats he got to do with itr'
"He's the owner of the building" ex.
planned Mr.. Wick. "He doesn't like
the Granddeck to be mentioned in the
papers. He says any notoriety is bad
for its excluslveness. don't believe
he'd want the police called In. In
fact, sir, I'm sure he wouldn't"
whether he wants 1t or not" said
firmly. ats got to be done. You can't |
keep murders out Of the paper. Either
you call the police right away or else
I WILL"
My threat forced him to telephone
against his win. ] could quite under |
stand his employers aversion to hav-
ing a crime in the Granddeck made
public. But there was no help for Il.
There had been a dastardly crime COM
mitted, and the police must be In
formed. Yet 1t was not to the police
that Mr.. Wick was telephoning. 1t
evidently was to Mr.. Kent's apartment
T.. kha hVlIdln0