Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-03

Bobby stepped FORWARD. Inc SHARP
leyes, surrounded by puffy flesh,
studied him aggressively. Bobby
forced himself TO meet that unfriend-
lily gaze. Would Robinson accuse
him now, before he had gone into
the case for himself7 At least he
could prove nothing. After mo-
ment the man turned away.
"Who. Is thisT" he asked, indicat.
Ing Graham.
"A very good friend--my lawyer.
Mr.. Graham" Bobby answered.
Robinson walked over to Paroles.
Another lawyer" he sneered.
Another friend" Paroles answer
ed easily.
Robinson glanced at Katherine.
"Of course you are Miss Perrine.
Good. Coroner, these are all that
were In the front part of the house
when you were here beforc?"
1.-THE same lot" the coroner
sQueaked.
There are three servants, q man
and two women" Robinson went on.
Account for them, Rawlins. and see
what they have to say Come up
stairs when you're thru. All right,
coroner"
But he paused at the foot of the
steps.
"For the present no one will leave
the house without my permission. II
you care to come upstairs with me,
Mr.. Blackburn, you might be use-
full"
Bobby shrank from the thought of
returning to the old room even with
this determined company. He didn't
hesitate, however, for Robinson's
purpose was clear. He wanted Bobby
where he could watch him. Graham
prepared to accompany them.
IF you need me-" the doctor said.
II looked at the body"
ooh, yes" Robinson sneered. I'D
like to know exactly what time you
found the body"
Graham flushed, but Katherine an
swered easily:
About half-past two-the hour at
which Mr.. Blackburn was killed"
"And l." Robinson sneered, was
aroused at three thirty. An hour
during which the police were left out
Of the easel" '''
1--WE thought 1T wise to get ply
stefan first of ALL" Graham said.
"You knew Howells never had a
chance. You knew he had been muir
dered the moment you looked at
him." Robinson burst out.
I'VE acted for the best" Graham
,, answered.
His manner impressed silence on
Katherine and Bobby.
"Werl see about that later" Rob-
inson said with clear threat. If
1t doesn't Inconvenience you too
much we'll go up now"
In the upper hall he snatched the
candle from the table.
(which way?"
Katherine nodded to the old cor
ridor and slipped to her room Rob-
inson stepped forward with the cor
oner at his heels. Bobby, Graham,
and the doctor followed. Inside the
narrow, choking passage Bobby saw
the district attorney hesitate.
whats the natter" the doctor
rumbled.
The district attorney went on with
out answering. He glanced at the
broken lock.
,, $50 you had to smash your way
in?" a.
| He walked to the bed and looked
down at How lis.
Poor devil he naArmured., How
ellis wasn't tn man to aaget caught
unawares. It's beyond me how any
one could have come close enough
to make that wound without putting
him on his guard
Its beyond us, as 1t was beyond
him." Graham answered, how any
one got into the room at all"
In response to Robinson's ques-
covery of both murders. Robinson
pondered for some time.
"Then you and Mr.. Blackburn
were asleep" he said. Miss Per-
rine aroused you. This foreigner
Paroles was awake and dressed and
/, in the lower hall"
II think he was in the court as we
went by the stair WE'LL" Graham COR
rected him.
| II shall want to talk to your for
eigner," Robinson said. He shivered.
| This room is like charnel house.
Why did Howells want to sleep
here?"
II don't think he intended to
Sleep" Graham said. "From the
J start Howells was bound to solve
the mystery OF the entrance of the
room. He came here, hoping that
the criminal would make just such
an attempt as he did. He was con-
fident he could take care of himself,
get his man, and clear up the last
details Of the case" -.
Robinson looked straight at Bobby.
"Then Howells knew the criminal
was in the house"
"Howells. dare say" Graham
said, "telegraphed you something of
his suspicious"
! Robinson nodded.
HE was on the wrong line" Gra-
ham argued, "or he wouldn't have
been so easily overcome. You can
see for yourself. Locked doors, a
wound that suggests the assailant
was close to him, yet he must have
been awake and watchful; and If
there had been a physical attack be-
fore the sharp instrument was driv-
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