The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-03-16
CHAPTER XIV
The Murderer sneaka

ne murderer Speak5.
Who turned on the lights do not
know. AS soon as they flashed on. we
looked at each other inquiringly. our
eyes filed with fear. Who had cried
out in terror and broken tie circle?
BARLEY motioned TO us to sit down
again. and took his stand back of the
table. He seemed To me 10 be very
weary. and his eyes rested on us
sadly. as If he were reluctant to pro-
coed further. II was not until we
moved resflessly under his intent gaze
that he said. 81 am not going 10 make
any comment on what we have Just
seen" He paused for second. then
added impressively. But think
ought to tell you that | know who
killed both Slyke and Briifeur."
There was murlnur of astonsh-
ment. Currie looked AT me appeal
Ingly but knew no more than he.
Roche whispered TO Black. and they
exchanged looks Of hewilderment.
BARLEY still hesitated. as If 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 no clues
and admit that | have never seen a
ease in which there were so few.
There is no doubt. however. that he
was murdered. though II Is difficult !
10 say what the motive was In the |
case Of Brlffeur It was very simple"
simpler p Roche gasped.
''YeS. simple. There was but one
reason and one way. and even one
person thai could have killed him."
This statement was too much for
Roche; he shook his heard in disbe-
lief.
'Let's consider Mr.. Sykes death
for moment" Bartley continued
After the party was over. Slyke
asked Mr.. Lawrence to stay behind
They had drink. then Lawrence
went home. But we found three
glasses. shown e that someone besides
Lawrence had drunk with Siyke Let
is say this thru person killed Slyke.
Understand me: | do not believe that.
, hen he came. he had any intention
II killing hm-that came later. We
viii assume that Slyke and this third
,erson went upon the balcony. for
What reason ! cannot say. but | am
ure thai Slyke was the one thai sug
esfed going there. No murderer
would have selected II. voluntarily
$ place in which 10 kill his victim.'
10 f..t. Il ,l,n |
nued: after Slyke had been killed
he thought occurred To the murderer
hat Ii was possible 10 make his death
)ok like suicide. He undressed the
ndy in the room above the bedroom.
nd later carried his clothing down
airs. placing II on a chair beside
ne bed. Buf he overlooked stock
u that had fallen IN the floor behind
re door of the room above. Crimi- 1,
ais, no matter how shrewd. always c.
axe some mistake that betrays q
lem; this person drew the bed -
Othes up around Sykes neck IF k
, had not done that. | DOUBT II we ts
ould ever have suspected that Slyke
as murdered The shot took effect T.
once. II would have been impos- IN
bic FOR him TO have drawn the bed ~
pthes up around his own neck. and
aced his hands by his side before
died"
The doctors voice sounded per-
exed as he said. "But. Mr.. Barley.
is l.. all rather fne-spun theory"
II expected that someone would say
ai." Bartley smiled. 1T is more
IN OH unsupported theory. How
pr. let us proceed. The murderer ca
mt down TO the living room and :
lught back with him two cards, (
ich he threw on the floor of the Y
IN where the glasses were. If it's .
ng suicide was questioned. then :
finding Of the cards would throw :
;picion on the members Of the card :
'ty.~
ITO BE coNTINUEDJ