The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-01-27
CHAPTER VII-Continued

I've nau some trouble with my car,
Gown the road" he said finally. He
glanced at Dale again. 81 came to
ask If / might telephone"
Did it require searchlight to find
the houseT Miss Cornelia asked sus-
piciously.
Look here" the young man blus.
tered, "why are you asking me all
these questions" He tapped his Gig
srette case with an irritated air.
whats your manner" Anderson
said sternly.
Observation-Disclosures Beresford,"
said the young man sulkily. IF you
doubt tive probably got a card
somewhere" He began to run
through his pockets.
whats your business" went on
the detective.
whats my business here?' queried
the young man, obviously fencing
with his interrogation.
"No-how do you earn your liv-
tng?" said Anderson sharply.
II DON'T" said the young man flip
PANTY. Il may have to begin now, If
that is of any interest to you. AS a
matter of fact, I've studied law, but"
The one word was enough to start
Lizzie Off on another trail of distrust.
HE may be lawyer" she quoted
20 herself sepulchrally, from the eve
ming newspaper article that had dealt
with the mysterious identity of the
Bat.
"And you came here to telephone
about your carr" persisted the detec-
tive.
Dale rose from her chair, with a
hopeless little sigh.
''Oh, don't you see-he's trying to
protect me-" she said YEARLY. She
turned to the young man. "It's no
use, Mr.. Beresford."
Beresford's air Of f1ippancy van
ished.
al see," he said. He turned to the
others, frankly. swell, the plain
truth isl didn't know the situation
and 1 thought I'd play safe for Miss
Ogden's sake"
Miss Cornelia moved over to her
niece, protectingly. She put a hand
on Dale's shoulder, to reassure her,
and turned to Anderson calmly.
''He doesn't know anything about
this" she said, indicating Beresford.
''He brought Mr.. Fleming here in his
car-that's ALL"
Anderson looked at Beresford for
confirmation.
"Is that true?'
Eyes," said Beresford. He started
to explain. 81 got tired of waiting
and so +"
The detective broke in CURLY.
"All right"
He took a step toward the alcove.
Now, doctor" He nodded at the
huddle beneath the raincoat. Beres-
ford followed his glance-and saw the
ominous heap for the first time.
whats that?" he said tersely. No
one answered him. The doctor was
already on his knees beside the BODY.
drawing the raincoat gently aside.
Beresford stared at the shape TINS
revealed with frightened eyes. The
color left his face.
That's not-Dick Fleming-is itYr
he said thickly.
Anderson slowly nodded his head
Beresford seemed unable to believe
his eyes.
eff you've looked over the ground, /"
said the doctor in low voice to An
derson, "I'll move the body where we
can have better light" His right
hand fluttered swiftly over Fleming,s
still, clenched fist-extracted from IL
torn corner of paper.
Still Beresford did not seem Tn he
able to take in what had happened.
He took another step toward the body
DO you mean to say that Dick
Fleming" he began. Anderson ST.
lenced him with an uplifted hand.
what have you got there. Doctor p,
he said in a still voice. q.
The doctor, still on his knees beside
the corpse, lifted his head.
"What do you mean?"
"You took something, just then, out
of Fleming's haid," said the detec-
tive.
II took nothing out Of his hand"
said the doctor firmly.
II warn you not to obstruct the
course of justice" he said, forcibly.
"Give it hereI"
The doctor rose, slowly, busting of
his knees. His eyes tried to meet An
derson's and failed. He produced a
torn corner of blueprint.
"Why, it's only scrap Of paper
nothing at ALL" he said, evasively.
Anderson looked at him meaningly.
Scraps of paper are sometimes very
important" he said, with a side glance
at Dale.
The doctor motioned nervously.
'As the corOner-if Mr.. Anderson Is
satisfied suggest that the body be
taken where / can make a thorough
examination" he said haltingly.
Once more Anderson bent over the
shell that had been Richard Fleming.
He turned the body half over-let it
sink back on its face. For a moment
he glanced at the corner of the blue
print in his hand-then at the doctor.
Then he stood aside.
"All right" he said laconically.
So Richard Fleming left the room
where he had been struck down so
suddenly and strangely-borne out by
Beresford, the doctor and Jack Bailey.
The little procession moved as swiftly
and softly as circumstances would per-
mit-Anderson followed its passage
with watchful eyes. For perhaps a
dozen ticks Of time, Dale was left un-
watched-and She made the most OF
her opportunity. ii s@fo
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