The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-06-11
CHAPTER vill-contInusd.

here In the Granddeck few days. l
don't know much about him."
"And that's all you know about it7"
said the detective. turning TO me again.
I hesitated. Should | or should
not tell them OF the wall safe that
had seen Mr.. Wick closIng7 There was
no way could prove It. Undoubtedly
Wick would deny having done so. II
would be his word against mine AS
superintendent his word would I'M
doubtedly carry. decided 1t would
be best to withhold my information to
. more propltious time.
that's all know, except what Mr..
Wick has told you" ] said.
"very WE'LL" said the detective In
charge. ''You can 90 now, and you,
too. Doctor"
Mfr. Wick was escorting the doctor
to the door. The detectives had with
drawn to the room where the body lay
and were holding a whispered confer
ence. stepped quickly to the wall
safe. and making sure that was UNI
observed. tested the knob. II was Sc
cureiy fastened. congratulated my
self on having said nothing about IT,
Wick. felt certain. would deny hav-
ing shut II, and there was no proof
that II had been opened when we had
entered.
As returned 10 my own apartment
upstairs. nearing the top of the short
digit of steps between the floors
was astennded TO see female figure
fittting across the hall and entering
the Bradford apartment Though had
opportunity for only brief glimpse,
recognized ner at once. II was Claire
Bradford.
The door OF my apartment was
standing wide open. remembered that
as ! Ind run downstairs a few mo-
ments ago, | had neglected to close
Il after me, From the direction in
which she had come, II was plain that
Claire Bradford had been paying an
other surreptitious visit to my quar-
tiers. What could have been her pur-
poser There must have been some
strong impelling motive to make her
dare the perllous journey along the
window ledge, and now. at the Inn
minent risk Of discovery, to pay me
a second visit. began seriously to
doubt whether the explanation she
had offered me was the true one. was
beginning TO feel that there was more
than q possibility that she was again
In the clutches OF the INSCRIPTIONS
rascal who had once been her hus.
band
Greatly puzzled, made hasty sur
vey of the apartment. but could find
nothing that appeared to have been
disturbed, Going back to my own room
FASTENED TO place a handkerchief out
of my window as a signal to Barbara,
for knew she would be anxious to
know the meaning OF the sounds we
had heard below. In very few mo-
ments ! heard the tap of her riding
crop on my sill and hurried to answer.
what was TT" she asked In an
excited whisper.
Daisy Lutan, an actress, who lived
on the floor below, has been murdered
shot"
VINO uld TIT
Il don't know. Mr.. Wick and went
into the apartment together. There was
no one there"
How terriblel" she exclaimed.
1T is, indeed" I answered, .'but 1t
may help us"
"Wbht do yes aaaaaf''
with the police In the house max.
ing investigations. therell be no more
threats from the blackmaIlers for
while. They won't dare bother you
for the present.
do you really think so?" she ques-
TONED with little sigh of relief.
Tim sure OF It."
Have the police been called INT"
Eyes; two detectives are downstairs
now"
"rm glad" she said. ewith the de-
tectiyes here. they won't dare molest
us. viii they1"
"of course not" answered. els
your sister at homer"
YES" she answered. "Our guests
have Just gone. Mother has retired,
and Claire is in the living room writ.
ing a note. They heard nothing, so
did not tell them anything about It."
That was wise. They'll hear It soon
enough. Has your sister been In the
apartment all eveningT'
"She hasn't been out all day unless
she went out just to drop the letter
she was writing down the mail chute
In the hall. Why do you askr
Il was merely wondering IL there
was any way she could learn OF the
murder"
''How could she1 Isn't that too ter
rTble about Miss LutaG7 But / mustn't
talk any longer. Good night"
''Wait moment" cried. "There
are some things must discuss with
you before meet German. How about
meeting me at the Aston at eleven r.
~ can't promise. but I'll try. Good