The Dolores star., 1922-10-06
Old Ribtree'.
Dog
BY HUBERT RAY
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

''i'eu mystery. Only one
man knew who had killed Ribtree. and
.hh' was James, because James had
Killed him himself
h'ptree and James lived In a town
VI hfty thousand inhabitants inst
large enough TO escape that nrving
"iilch makes murder So unsafe
III Nliihges. The two men had ALWAYS
peeh enemies, under the guise of friend
snip. james had especially wanted
hibtree's girl, Ada Lachaussee
james had made no elaborate plans
lie had figured out that spontaneous
murder Is the safest. He went TO RIb-
iee mouse one night when he knew
lie would be alone, walked straight In
10 'he study, and shot Ribtree through
the heart, and went away. Now he
lad Ribtree's girl, Ada Lachaussee.
detective Aston had questioned
james very closely the next morning
Happily James was able to prove that
he had been in bed all the dav
before, with grippe. His old house.
keeper, Mrs. Cannon, confirmed this
statement Being quite deaf, she had
not heard James open his window and
descend; being in bed when James
returned, she had not heard his KEY
In the front door.
Aua Lachaussee, moved by James
protestations of sympathy had trans
ferred her affections to him. Three
months after the murder. James moved
to Ribbleiield, and next week they
were to be married.
James knew that Aston suspected
him, ana lie was worried. Aston was
the sort OF detective who, with little
imagination, possessed the pertinaclty
Of bulldog. A bulldog? That was
the fly In the ointment. Ribtree had
had bulldog-BOnes.
Bones and James had always been
good friends. But Bones was an un-
canny dog. 1t was not until James
had shot Ribtree that he perceived
Bones lying in front of the gas log.
Bones got up, shifted at his dead mas
ter, and jumped up at James for
caress. The memory of it made
James blood run cold.
AN'Al hhs p'llt' ihi mt JiIil'S Ill
the street and tried to follow him
home Bones did not know where
James lived; but every time James
took stroll in the direction of Rib
trees house, he met Bones. Each
time he met him nearer and nearer
his own house. He knew that Bones
was slowly running him down.
James, seated in his new house In
Ribblefield. heard Il scratching at the
door. The sweat started to his fore
head. He rose and opened 1t, and
Bones came in wagged his tail, and
lay down ut his feet.
For the first time James felt his i'm
pending doom. The sweat streamed
down his forehead. He did not know
what to do.
He kicked the dog furiously, and
Bones gave yelp, and then jumped
up at him for caress again. There
was something devilish in the bull
dogs deliberate design. 1t was as If
Bones had set himself to run him
down, to furnish the one proof that
could connect him with the murder.
Bones must die. James formed that
determination as he watched the bull
dog crouching at his feet, looking up
at him with an expression of devotion
on its face. He must get his pistol,
shoot it, dispose of the body before
morning.
A policeman passed, stamping heav-
accom-
panied by man whom James, looking
into the darkness, could not recognize.
But a horrible fear came to him that
this man was Aston.
AS the men passed James took the
bulldog by the collar dragged it to
the front door, and opened it. He was
determined to take Bones to lonely
place in the country, shoot him and
throw the body into ditch.
But as he opened the front door he
heard the pounding feet stop. lie
stopped. cold with terror. The po-
liceman and his companion were re-
turning. They walked back to the
gate of the garden, pushed 1t open,
and came up the path.
And James, standing silently upon
the step, his hand in Bones collar
knew that Nemesis was at hand.
The light from the street lamp tell
on the face of the second man. James
recognized Detective Aston.
81 want to see you" Aston said.
"You've cot me- James babbled.
"For Gods sake take me away. Yes
killed Ribtree, and I'm ready to go
TO the chair for him."
Aston stared at him in stupefactioh'
and n light broke over his face.
"Why, it's Mr.. James" he ex-
claimed. 81 didn't know you were Nv
ing here. Lucky l got that transfer
last week. You heard what he salu'
Mullins"
James looked at him piteous'y'
"What-what d'you mean?' he STAN
mered. "Didn't you-didn't YOU
Aston grinned. "only wanted TO
know II you'd got license for that
tvf I