Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-12

: permanence against age filled him; he
] arose abruptly.
"I'Il talk with the girl" he an.
search her. Get Phipps here for fin
gerprints. Where is the girl?'
Next floor back
Names Elsie, isn't it?'
yes"
Inspector Garrow's heavy, measured
tread upon the stairs sounded through
the still house.
THE girl stood backed against the
l. dresser, head up, in defiance OF
Detective Dawson, who had installed
| himself comfortably in a chair.
Inspector Garrows eyes took a
quick inventory of the room, scarcely
resting upon the girl. His hands were
deep in the pockets of his coat. He
got a general impression of her: Dark,
shing1ed hair-he wondered how Pete
Magnan had liked that-fur-lined
wrap, a fringe of her silver dress be-
meath the blue brocade of the wrap,
silver slippers.
His eyes also took in the extension
| telephone hidden beneath the fiaring
skirts of a French doll. Better kill
| little time, he thought. Just to give
her a suggestion of that inexorable
patience with which the law worked.
He moved unconcernedly to the tele-
phone, ignoring her, asked for head
quarters.
Coakley had caught her, he said to
himself, on the first blow-up of nerves;
| there would be another along pres
emily. She would wear herself out
standing there.
Inspector Garrow talking. Any an
swer on that western call? No? Let
me know the minute you have it."
He gave the operator the number of
the Magnan telephone, hung up and
confronted the girl, his eyes ranging
over her sharply.
He had intended to speak first, but
she surprised him by demanding
abruptly, you are in charge here?"
YES"
by what right do you men come
into my room?" Her voice quavered,
and the inspector wondered whether
it was wrath or the impending blow
up.
by the right of the police to ex-
anime witnesses"
I've already told all / know"
His eyes returned to meet hers, and
he paused for a moment before he
answered, That was very obliging of
you"
The suggestion of humor in his tone
caused her a sharp intake of breath.
He added quickly, That's what we
want of-witnesses! To tell all they
know! You expected your father
would be up, waiting for you, when
you returned?"
"Yes-I had disobeyed him."
You were prepared for it, them"
'Of course
"How old are your"
What difference can that make?"
How old are you?" There was no
change in Inspector Garrows tone.
Twenty"
Don't you think your father was
right in not wanting you to go around
dancing clubs?"
Her gaze shifted from his eyes, fas.
tened itself on the opposite wall. She
lodded in answer to his question.
Why did you disobey him?"
Because" she responded, resent.
ment in her voice, che was always
suspecting me Of doing things /
shouldn't when hadn't done anything
at ALL 4eas..
Inspector Garrow knew there was a
world of truth in that answer Pete
Magnan was incapable of faith in any
one.
II hoped he would let me go away"
volunteered the girl; ''let me live in
Denver. I have friends there"
How did you feel toward your
father" he asked. did you love
him.
Her eyes closed tightly and her head
gave an almost imperceptible shake
II hated him. she said bitterly.
I'D better warn you that any state
ment you may make may be used
against you.
Against me?"
Eyes"
Her shoulders moved slightly in a
shrug.
why did you hate your father"
I'D rather not tell that"
Inspector Garrow thought. "We'n
come back to it later" He asked:
when did you receive that anony.
nous letter."
1.-TWO days ago.
What did it say?"
THAT my father made his money
dishonesty"
what else?"
Her face set tensely and she glared
over his shoulder across the room.
Inspector Garrow's voice rose stern
ly: What else?'
Elsie Magnan tainted. as though
some invisible cord which had been
holding her up was cut, and lay at his
feet. colorful and pathetic heap. He
bent over her, instinctively making
sure the faint was real and not pre-
tended. q
Dawson" he ordered, "beat it down
and see if that matrofl's come. Get
her up here" AS he lifted the girls
limp body to the bed he exclaimed
miserably, half aloud: ooh, gee. I've
gotta be just as hard as my job.'
HE heard the matron's scurrying
feet and turned from the room.
"Fainted,' he explained. Bring her
to. Search her. Let her get some
sleep if she can"
He went downstairs, found Coakley
How do you figure it," asked the
detective.
II don't jump at conclusions" "
snapped the inspector.
The telephone was ringing.
| Smith at headquarters, sir" came
the voice. reporting on the Chicago
| call. Dirk OfByrne left Chicago yes
! terday morning on the Metropolitan
| Express. eight-thirty. He was seen at
| the station. That brings him into
| New York this morning at nine-thirty-
| five"
! For a moment Inspector Garrow's
shoulders sagged. Dirk O'Byrne on
the train while the shooting took
place! What better alibi than that?
/ Anyhow, l want him picked up.
said Garrow Send two men up the
line to meet the train. At Trenton,
! probably That's not a regular stop.
| Get orders through the train dis
| patcher to have the Metropolitan stop
! fhara For fbapa pripo O'Ryrn6 to nv