The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-02-02

l
AS wanted TO interview Lawrence
next. the editor accompanied me II
his car to point out the building wher'
Lawrence had his Office. Here he lief
me. saying that If | would call at hi
Office In about an hour. he would have
the back files of the newspaper
wanted ready for me-"
Lawrence's office was on the second
floor of brick building. and his dooI
bore the sign Law Office" At q
desk. reading a newspaper. was q man
Of about forty-fve. with very thin
nervous face. He threw down the
paper and eyed me questioningly-
When told him that Slyke was dead
and that had come to learn about
his interview with him. he moved I'M
easily In his chair; but when | added
that we believed that Slyke had been
murdered, and that as far as we knew
he was the last person to see him
alive, he was absolutely unnerved. l
could see that. until mentioned the
word murder. he had thought that
Slyke had committed suicide For a
second / wondered If. after all. he had
not had something TO do with the
crime.
Taking chair by his side, l said.
you were the last person. so far as
we can discover, to see bir. Slyke
alive. We know that you stayed for
few moments only. and that he him
self asked that you remain. AS you
were the last one to see him alive, we
are much Interested in what you can
tell US of how he acted. Did he seem
nervous or upset?'
My question did not make the man
by my side any easier. He answered
quickly, in high-pitched voice that
broke several times. Il did stay; but
the other men will tell you that was
going home with them until Slyke
asked me to wait moment. I had
no idea beforehand what he wanted.
I wish to God I had gone with the |
rest. Some id fool will say | killed |
him."
1t was just what some people would |
say. when it became public that the
again after Lawrence's departure. But
for myself, I could not connect guilt
with the thin. nervous figure beside
me-
"What did he want to see you
lbout?" l asked.
Lawrence flushed. then half grinned.
is he answered, '1Ie asked me If
wanted to buy some Scotch whisky"
"Buy some whisky?" | repeated In
yes II seems foolish. doesn't iti
Tut that's what he wanted TO see me
bout. He said he hal lots more than
e needed and that he could let me
ave five cases"
| said nothing. trying to digest this
stonishing information had been
'ondering what 1t was that Slyke
anted to,see Lawrence about, and
ad even made several guesses; but
ever in my widest Imagination had
supposed that it was about whisky
could understand why Lawrence
lould want to buy II. for good whis
' is hard to get: but why Slyke. pre-
lmed to he a rich man. should want
sell five cases was beyond my com
'ehension.
He saw my surprise and said. 1T
,eS seem stran~e. I was surprised
yself. / had heard that he had LOT
booze; but we were not the closes
friends. and nowadays a man lets
: liquor go only TO his pals. III
IN who will let you have five case,
whisky is a-pretty good friend"
smiled M his answer. He was
int. People with imported liquor
re not giving II away And what
IS more. few men of Sykes position
re selling their private stock.
lie told me-" Lawrence continued
mt he had great deal more than
could use. and that he would sell
some for one hundred dollars
'e. That's pretty cheap for i'm
ted stuff"
And then you left him?" | aste,
Yes. He told me he was rot go
to bed yet. Said someone was
ming in about half-past one.
lere was a new piece of evidence.
Ike. then, had not gone to ed after
vrence left, but had waited up for
he other visitor. Ii was curious.
say the least One o'clock in the In
ming Is not a usual hour for re- Ia
ing callers. los
Have you any idea who II WASP" -
No." he said. shaking his head, 81 n
emit the least idea. AS was M
ting to go he said. Stay awhile i EE'
expecting a man about two. and t&
e to wait up for him That's all NJ
now about it," ri
was not much of a clue. still it E3l
better than nothing. Ii did estab- ~
the fact that theie had been EN-
cone else with Slyke that night. Y
is. If he were telling the truth.
burning question in my mind was. "a
was that second person? Was he
one who had killed Slylie? The a
! seemed to favor 1t. Lawrence w..
little further information to give -
He said that Slyke had not been
cially nervous, nor had he acted
man afraid of anything. =
rose 10 go, but, paused at new 81