Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1923-05-11


into the car, l remembered what the
reporter had told me about Sykes
trying to get someone on the tele-
phone, and ] repeated his story to
BARLEY. He said nothing for a mo-
ment then asked me to drive to the
telephone exchange He spent ten
minutes in the building; and, when he
came out, he seemed well pleased
with his visit but did not mention It's
result.
AS we drove along I told him the
boys story. When | had finished he
smiled. Il believe the chauffeur told
the boy the truth. He had been
drinking, but that is when man
otter speaks the truth"
| glanced at him to see if he were
in earnest, and he nodded. Yes, l
am serious. Briffeur had broken into
Sykes house. He never spoke Of
this crime but he thought a good deal
about it. When he got drunk his sub
conscious mind told the secret that he
was trying to hide. | believe that
what Briffeur said was the truth
about the robbery"
"But why should he try to rob
SlykeT' / asked.
beginning to make more or less con
nected whole but there are still some
gaps to be bridged."
Currie heard the car as it stopped
before the house and came out to
greet BARLEY. AS Mrs. Currie was
in town, we did not change for dinner.
During the meal the murder was not
mentioned. BARLEY went to his room
Immediately afterward. l sat with Cur
rie for a while, smoking; then | ex-
cuSed myself. / was eager to learn
what BARLEY had discovered in New
York. l found him in his room.
stretched out in big armchair, one
leg thrown over its arm, his pipe in
his mouth. AS l watched him I
thought how little one would suppose
that he was engaged in solving two
mystifying murders. He looked up
as / entered, smiled and went back
to his reading.
How did your trip come OFF," l
asked
"Wen, Pelt," he drawled as he
placed his long yellow-covered book
on the floor, "ArentinO certainly knew
the criminal life of his day"
His remark had, of course, to do
with the book that he had been read
ing, and nothing with my question.
Seeing my disappointment, he
laughed 'The trip wasn't of much
importance. The man did buy the
whisky from Slyke. He had bought
all that was in the vault but had
only removed one truck load when he
was caught. He paid $4,000 for it
that afternoon, and left on the seven
o'clock train for New York. His alibi
! is perfect; he knows nothing about
the murder The alibi of the men on
the truck also is perfect. They did
day after Sykes death. They dealt
only with one man."
"One man?" I echoed. "WhoW
He watched my face for a moment,
then replied simply, "Briffeur :"
] had half expected that answer. 1t
made the chauffeur's story that Slyke
owed him money seem reasonable. 1t
even limited that the chauffeur had
tried to blackmail Slyke, and made
| Blacks theory that Briffeur had
killed Slyke seem not unreasonable
"The men on the truck" BARLEY
continued, "did not know Briffeur's
name; but their description of the
man who unlocked the door of the
vault for them fitted Briffeur"
But" l ventured.
But what?" he cOuntered.
THAT connects Slyke and Briffeur"
He was silent for a moment, his
! face grave Then he said slowly,
"Yes, Pelt, it does If the chauffeur
had not been killed himself, he would
be suspected of causing Sykes death.
But there is one thing"
And what is thatY / asked ca
gerly.
"Briffeur said some one else was
! implicated in that robbery. What L
want to know is, who was that other
man" He paused, then added:
| There is no doubt, Pelt that Slyke
| had been selling whisky for some
time Where he got it, and who was
| in on it with him, we don't know.
Maybe tonight we can find out"
\ Currfes voice called from below
that the car was waiting to take US
to Sykes house, and we rose. AS
started for the door, BARLEY handed
me a package and gave me playful
shove.
Don't drop them" he laughed.
l gave him disgusted look. But
these are the States"
$50 nhey are, but they may talk for
us tonight"
And with that absurd suggestion in
my ears, / went down the stairs to
Join Currie.
CHAPTER XIII