The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-06-28
CHAPTER XIV
The Murderer Speaks.

1
know. As soon as they flashed on. we
looked at each other inquiringly. our
eyes filled with fear. Who had cried
out In terror and broken the circiei
BARLEY motioned 10 us 10 sit down
/ again, and took his stand back OF the
table. He seemed 20 me 10 be very
weary, and his eyes rested on us
sadly. as II he were reluctant to pro
coed further. II was not until we
moved restlessly under his Intent gnze
that he said. II am not going 10 make
any comment ON what we have Just
seen" He paused for n second. then
added impressively. "But l think
ought TO tell you that l know who
killed both Slyke and Briffeur,"
There wns a murmur OF astonIsh-
ment. Currie looked mt me appeal
ingly, but / knew no more than he.
Roche whispered 10 Black. and they
exchanged looks OF bewilderment.
BARLEY sim hesitated, as II he were
very reluctant TO continue.
Il know that some OF you doubt II
we can prove that Mr.. Slyke was muir.
dered- You say there are nc clues.
and l admit that | have never seen
case In which there were so few.
There Is no doubt. however. that he
was murdered. though II II dlnicult
10 say what the motive was. In the
case OF Brifreur. II was very simple"
"Simplei" Roche gasped.
Yes, simple. There was but one
reason and one way. and even one
person, that could have killed him. 4
This statement was too much for
Roche; he shook his heard In disbe-
lief.
Let's consider Mr.. Sykes death
for moment" BARLEY continued
After the party was over. Slyke
asked Mr. Lawrence TO stay behind
and offered 10 sell him some whisky
They had q drink. then Lawrence
went home. But we found three
glasses. showing that someone besides
Lawrence had drunk with Ssyke. let
US say this third person killed slyke.
Understand me: DO not believe that
when he came. he had any intention
81 killing him--fhat came later We
will assume that Slyke and this third
person went upon the balcony. for
That reason ! cannot say, but ! am
sure that slyke was the one that sur
rested going there. No murderer
would have selected IL, voluntarily.
"a a place In which 10 kin his victim
lie paused for a second. then con
inued: after Siyke had been killed
he thought occurred 20 the murderer
hat II was possible 70 make his desth
ook like suicide. lie undressed The
'0cy in the room above the bedroom
nd later carried bis clothing down
tHlrs. plscing II on chair beside
be bed But he overlooked \ stock
az that had fallen on the floor behind
be door Of the room above crimi
ais. no matter how shrewd. always
lske some mistake that betruys
bems this person drew the bed
lothes up around Sykes neck u
= had not done that. ] doubt II w /
'ould ever have suspected that Siyks
as murdered. The shot took erec'
I once. II would have been impoe
BILE for him 70 have drawn the bed Z
Iotbes up around bis own neck. ans 4
laced his hands by his side befor. p
? died.
The doctors voice sounded pet
Iexed az be said. But Mr. BARLEY
~ T. eli rather lne-spun theory
7 expected that SOMEONE would "a
int" BARLEY smiled. 1t IL NOR,
an an unsupported theory. How
rer. let rs proceed The murJere
enf down to the living room an,
fought back with him two card
hicb he threw on the floor Of IN,
ON where the glasses were. n r.
ing suicide was questioned. the
. finding Of the cards would thro'
spicion on the members Of the car
Irty."
gro BE CONTINUED