Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-04-17

chair? Don't you see how absurd IT
is that Carlos, Maria, or any one
else should have had hand In It?
There was nothing for them to gain
from his death. I've thought and
thought In such circles until am
almost convinced n the logic Of my
guilt"
He drew the curtain farther back
and gazed across the court Mt the
room where his grandfather lay
dead. One OF the two windows of
the room was a little raised. but the
blinds were closely drawn.
II dfd hate him." he unused
, There's that. Ever Since ] can re-
member he did things to make me
despise him. Have--bave you seen
him."
Graham nodded.
"Howells took me in. He looked
perfectly normal--not mark"
y don't want to see him." Bobby
said.
He drew back from the window,
pointing. The detective, Howells.
had strolled into the court. His
hands hung at his sides. They didn't
swing as he walked. His lips were
stretched in that thin, straight smile.
He paused by the fountain, glancing
for a moment anxiously downward.
Then he came on and entered the
house. =.
He'll be restless" Graham said.
until the coroner comes, and proves
or dsproves his theory of murder If
he questions you, you'd better say
not hing for the present. From his
point of view what you remember of
last night would be only damaging"
81 want him to leave me alone"
Bobby said. IF he doesn't arrest me
I won't have him bullying me-"
Jenkins knocked and entered. The
old butler was as white-faced as
Bobby, more tremulous.
1.-THE policeman, sir! He's asking
for YOU" >-
",rell him I don't wish to see him."
The detective. himself, stepped
from the obscurity of the hall, smilS
ing his queer smile.
"Ah. You are here. Mr. Blackburn!
I'd like word With YOU"
He turned to Graham and Jenkins.
"Alone, If you please"
Bobby mutely agreed, and Graham
and the butler went out. The de-
tective closed the door and leaned
against it. studying Bobby with his
narrow eyes.
Il don't suppose" he began, that
there's any use asking you about
your movements last night?"
None" Bobby answered jerkily,
unless you arrest me and take me
before those who ask questions with
authority"
The detectives smile wjdened..
mo matter. I didn't come to ar
que with you about that. I was
curious to know If you'd tried to SEQ
your grandfather's body"
Bobby shook his head.
was locked"
EYES," the detective answered, but
some people, 1t seems, have skilful
ways OF overcoming locks"
He moved to one side, placing his
hand on the door knob.
'I've come to open doors for YOU.
to give you the opportunity an affec-
Tomato grandson must crave,
Bobby hesitated, fighting back his
feeling of repulsion. his first instinct
to refuse. The detective might take
1t as an evidence against him. On
the other hand. If he went the man
would unquestionably try to tear
from a meeting between the living
and the dead some valuable confir-
nation Of his theory.
"Well?' the detective said. whats
the matter? Thought the least
could do was to give You a chance.
Wouldn't do it for everybody. Then
everybody hasn't your affectionate
nature"
Bobby advanced.
"For Gods sake. stop hooking me.
I'll go. since you wish"
The detective opened the door and
stood adside to let Bobby pass.
'''Daresay you know the room-the
way to it?" *
Bobby didn't answer. He went
along the corridor and into the main
hall where Katherine had met Silas
Blackburn last night. He fought
back his aversion and entered the
corridor of the old wing. He heard
the detective behind him. He was
aware of the mans narrow eyes
watching him with a malicious as
surance.
Bobby. with feeling of discom-
fort, sprung in part from the gloomy
passageway. paused before the door
his grandfather had had the unac-
countable whtm of entering last
night. The detective took key from
HIS pocket and inserted it in the lock.
Had some trouble repairing The
lock this morning" he said. THAT
fellow, Jenkins. entered with a heavy
hand--a good deal heavier than who
ever was here before him."
He opened the door.
"Queerest case I've ever SEEN" he
mumbled. "Step In, Mr.. Blackburn"
Because of the drawn blinds the
room was nearly as dark as the cor
ridpr. Bobby entered slowly. his
nerves taut. Against the farther wall
the bed was like an enormous
shadow, without form.
Stay where you al Q, !" tHs 3actsc-
tive warned, until / give you more
light. You know ! wouldn't want
,,Ou ~ to,cb auvfhipU hncansa tho