Evening star., 1928-11-16

~ I'D you put up any money on
Peter threw his hat into
the nearest armchair and
leaned forward to examine
the top Of the desk, but the familiar
nickel was not in evidence.
mo" said DR.. Cavanaugh. THE
sporting element would be lacking, un-
less elaborated a system OF ODDS. Ia
hate to have you on my trail, young
manor perhaps this is what you call
being on my trail already?"
The doctors clear brown eyes smiled
with warm friendliness into Peters as
he pulled forward a chair.
"Oh, no. I've just got into the habit
of consulting you. I hope I'm not max
ing a nuisance of mySelf."
"Tve no doubt you hope 1t. But even
IL you were a nuisance, you would re-
gretfully persist"
IT suppose would" Peter admitted.
"Well. then, If it's any comfort TO
YOU, I'm really not particularly busy at
the moment, and you may help your
self to the cigars. It's rather lucky Tor
me that I've retired from active prac-
tice-you might not leave me much
opportunity to collecta from my patti
entS."
I'm glad I'm not bothering too
avfully." Peter said cheerfully, ignor-
ing the box of cigars which DR.. Cav
anaugh extended and pulling forth his
inevitable crushed package of cigarettes.
Because, you see, do feel sort OF re-
.sponsible for this babe in the woods
I turned over to the police"
DR.. Cavanaugh smiled ever so
slightly. -, hin, .s
babe in the woods? he inquired.
"They do not" Peter said emphati-
cally. "As a matter Of fact, I'm sur
prised at him myself. Honestly, l teit
as If I were throwing him to the
wolves. It had to be done, OF course,
but didn't think they'd need to pe
half as violent as they probably would
be, on general principles, to get every
thing out of him. And yet there ne
sits and says absolutely nothing.
They're questioned him in relays, "a
hours at a stretch. They've planted
man in the same cell with him to gain
his confidence. They've done every
thing but light a bonfire under MIN,
and they're getting annoyed"
'You seem rather pleased about IT,
the doctor observed non-committally.
II can't help being proud OF his grit:
IT'S a perfectly useless line to take, and
tin only make it harder for him In the
end. The district attorney has got 10
the point where he's out for blood. Why,
they even hold before his eyes copy OF
the Herald with headlines about Shella S
murder and made him stare at II ior
hours-'Butcher' Joe crumpleo unoer
that stunt two years ago: you remember
and he Just sits there, looking as II he
were somewhere else.
.sTt isn't as If he were an old hand, a
12-vear-old child could have done better
at covering his tracks. He really needs
a guardian, and since found him, l
sort of feel that I'm it. At least want
him to have a fair show. He isn't the
ordinary criminal type at all.
Among all the things we don't know
about Sheila O'Shay's murderer, DR.:
Cayanaugh murmured between putfs OF
his cigar, I'VE do know this one thing
that he wasn't an ordinary criminal"
well. it's funny thing" Peter said,
his brow wrtnkled in a puzzled frown.
81 went romping out after this man, on
suspicion Of his being the O'Shay
wonan's murderer. If he's guilty.
want him to be convicted. In fact. !
shall be extremely relieved and grateful
If he turns out to be the guilty party.
Hes the most promising suspect
that's turned I'D so far. And yeti had
to hire a lawyer for him, out of my own
pocket. He didn't even have the sense
TO ask for one There's sort of inno-
cence about him-I don't mean limo:
cence of this particular crime, but OF
the world end all its works.
1T couldn't see him or anybody drift
straight Gown the rapids to the big
crash without even grasping what 1t was
all about. My wires are all crossed