The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-26
"You did not, then, know Mrs.


claimer. "Not that am aware .
anything to her discredit,. but
know nothing about her at ALL"
what can you tell me of tn
other tenants here?" Craig asked
Griswold licked his thin lips avid
ly as though over choice morsel o
gossip. "The young man Ladd h'a
frequently called upon Mrs. Van
and at least once / have seen Mis-
Shaw issuing from her apartment
From Mrs. Vane's, you mean :?
Barry interposed quickly. "Whe,
was that? About three. weeks ago :?
Three days ago!" corrected Girls
void with emphasis. IL am postiv,
it was Tuesday, becauseM am rarel,
late at getting to my office, but o,
the previous night 1 had suffered a,
attack of indigestion which kept n,
awake and it was quite 10 o'clock il
the morning when came down
stairs and saw the Shaw girl com
ing out of the apartment on tht
floor below. l did not see Mrs
Nane."
CHAPTER w
Craig was SO visibly dumfoundet
at the unexpected contradiction 81
Miss Shaw's testimony that his fel.
low sergeant continued in command
of the situation.
you mean, Mr.. Griswold, that
Miss Shaw had been alone in Mrs
Vane's studio Tuesday morning 90
he asked in the different tone which
to those who knew him portended an
important point in the examination
OF witness.
by no means!" Griswold stirred
irritably in his chair THAT scrub
woman was there. Mrs. McGrath.
who looks after some of the apart
ments in the house.
You're a widower, understand
Mr.. Griswold?" asked Craig.
my wife's been dead for fourteen
years, if it's any of your bus iness."
snapped the other.
Il understand that you deny. hav-
ing heard the shot" began Craig.
Il have stated that Il did not. |
was asleep until that Professor
Semyonov clamored at my door"
You did not come down immedi-
ately, Mr.. Griswold." Barry made
his second point quietly. "What
finally decided you to appear upon
the scene of the murder at all ?"
Il did not reply to that banging
upon my door because / fancied it
might be some practical joke of that
young man on the second floor, Cor
don Ladd, although l have never
exchanged a word with him."
1t was self-evident that nothing
further could be gotten from him. In
the hall outside the officer ap,,
preached.
The lady on the top floor, she's
been down twice asking for YOU" ne
observed impartially to the two. Il
didn't think you'd want to be dis
turbed in there, but it seems there's
something she forgot to tell you
awhile back"
AT that moment the pale, bobbed
head of Miss Shaw appeared over
the banisters two flights above and
seeing them, she came hastily and
silently down.
Il don't want to waste YOUR time"
she began trifle breathlessly "but
something escaped my memory and |
told you an unintentional falsehood.
Inc matter is quite trivial and ir-
relevant, but l do not care to have
the least misunderstanding about
this. When told you that | had
not entered Mrs. Vane's studio since
my call upon her until tonight it was
not strictly true, although l held no
communication with her. A few,
days ago was passing her door;
she was out, but Mrs. McGrath was
cleaning in there and l asked if II
might take peep at the portrait.
That's all right, Miss Shaw"
Honest relief shone in Craig's eyes.
its as we'll that you did tell US and
II anything else comes to your mind,
no matter how unimportant it NAV
seem to you, just call up police head.
quarters and ask for me. Sergeant
Craig, or for Sergeant Barry here.
Well see that you're kept out of it
as much as we can"
"TRank you, I'm sure that YOU
will, sergeant" she responded with
a nod that although still dignified.
was almost cordial. Goodnight"
She vanished up the stair and as
che two sergeants continued down.
ward Craig remarked confidentially
20 his companion.
Amt women funny? Did you see
now her manner changed all of a |
sudden when she thought she had
got herself in wrong? Twas no.
hing, that visit of hers to the Vane
studio after all, but it's a
good thing she told .us after Girls.
void mentioned it, for we might
have gone off on some wrong track
entirely. Do we get after young
Mr.. Ladd now?"
YES" Barry replied as thew
passed the tragically vacant rooms
II the dead woman. "If he know
Mrs. Vane, as Griswold saws. we
'ught to get something worth while
It last"
Gordon Ladd was anticipating
heir coming with an eagerness
Which he made no attempt to con-
cal.
You're headquarters men. aren't
'ou?" he demanded. "For heaven'x
axe, come in and tell me if you've
ound out anything! Those chaps
rom the local precinct are dubs.
nu m almost mad over this thing!
llgnt TINS way; you'll find cigars
no things on that stand"
You knew Mrs. Vane, Mr.. Ladd q
was more a statement than a
uestion as Barry seated himself.
; knew herr" Good Lord. ~"
he young man controlled himself
visible effort and added lame
=: "YeS have knoyr T.. \