Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-06

NJ
watched. He had an idea
that Cox had been pretty
carefully guarded, and that they
hoped to catch himself on his way
home. still ignorant of what had
occurred.
Anyhow, he had to take that
chance. His hat was on the table in
the hall; he LEFT his overcoat, as an
impediment to what might turn out
to be quick ACTON. and went back to
the kitchen. With his hand on the
outer door, however, he remembered
the dog.
Might as we'll raise an alarm and
be done with it, he reflected grimly.
But out that way he would have
to go, if he went at all, and the dog
was quiet, for the time. The kitchen
was dark, and he opened the door
cautiously and slid through it. Almost
instantly he felt the creature beside
him, rubbing against him. He leaned
down and patted it's head.
"Quiet, old boy" he whispered.
"Downr'
He could feel it snuffing at his
heels as he crossed the brick-paved
yard. He did not go out by the gate
into the alley, but, Ginning himself
to the top Of the fence at the side,
dropped lightly into the next yard.
From there he judged 1t would be
safe to inspect the alley, and, if it
was clear, to get away by. that route.
But, with his disappearance the dog
began to yelp, and then to make
small, futile leaps at the fence.
Above the dogs desperate yelps and
leaps he heard the other gate into
the alley quickly open. Somebody
ran in. And the dog, like finger.
pointing, was now wailing and
scratching at the boards. AS War.
rington reached the next fence and
vaulted 1t he heard the gate slam
again and knew that the chase was on.
The advantage was to the man
running along the alley. He had only
to move from gate to gate, looking
in. The alley was lighted and the
yards offered no hiding places. They
were small rect9 ngIes of brick paving,
on which abutted kitchen doors and
windows. Warrington, to cover the
same ground, had to climb a fence
each time.
After the fourth fence he was
breathing hard. and, at the fifth.
he came to an impasse. He had
reached the corner house, and it was
surrounded by high brick wall. Of
fering no flnger-hold whatever.
In another minute the gate would
open.
There was a door. slightly ajar, at
the rear of the house beside him,
and he did the only thing he could
think of-ran up the steps, through
the door, and closed it behind him.
The kitchen was empty. but some one
was moving in the pantry. He had
only settled his tie and taken off his
hat when an elderly cook entered.
He smiled at her.
f"Sorry," he said. 81 knocked. but
Iobodyaanswered. My dog got away
a few minutes ago, and I thought
he came into your yard"
s"Haven't seen him." said the WON
an, cycling him.
Hes strange in this neighbor-
hood" he told her, listening intently.
q just got him today"
s"Well. what do you want me to do
about it?" she demanded. I'm too
busy to stop and cry"
TO signify her lack Of interest she
went to the stove, and. with her back
turned, Warrington managed to turn
the key in the door behind him. He
was just in time: footsteps ran across
the yard and began to climb the
steps.
He looked about him. The door
there should lead to the hall. He
measured the distance with his eye,
and, as a peremptory knock sounded
on the kitchen door, and the woman
grumblingly turned to answer. he
opened it and slipped through.
He was in a closet. OF the de-
tective's questions and the woman's
answers he heard little. The UNI.
reality Of his situation dazed him.
II he had committed a murder he
oh .,S1{
clearly than by this whole absurd
performance.
And all that in the drawing Of a
breath or two.
He was right here when you
knocked" the woman was saying.
II didn't even hear him go. He
locked the door too"
He's run through the house.
Which door," The officers hand was
actually on the knob of the closet,
but the cook had opened another door
and was peering through it.
IF he did, he's gone for sure"
She followed the officer. as he ran
forward. and Warrington heard them
in the front Of the house. Very quiet
1y, he made his exit into the yard
again and out the rear gate.
He doubled on his tracks, going
back to the Bayne house and SO out
into a cross-street farther down. Not
until he had put a halfdozen blocks
between himself and the search did
he stop and take his bearings.
He had torn one trouser-knee open
and skinned both Of his hands badly.
In addition, his collar and shirt We're
disreputable beyond words, and he
had lost his hat.
Hatless, then. dirty and torn. he
made his way toward the Cox apart.
ment, taking back streets, avoiding
.ssAsssss