Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-16

rode Hannibal toward the barn, but
he paid it no heed. He tied his horse
IN the hay-scented dusk and then
marched grimly across the frozen Earth
of the back yard to the kitchen door.
s-aAs he knocked he yanked the cut
rAgeous cap from his head and cramm6o
II into his pocket.
Chief walker opened the portal and
erected him with false cordially.
well, well" he hawied. "the sleuth
himself! Still on the tran with his one
good eyel Come In"
The trooper grinned bleakly and
3noeyed. He read amusement into the
xmile with which Esther welcomed him
and ducked his bare head with NUT
tered acknowledgment Ell Meek, seated
With one foot braced against the stove,
shiny black knee cIasped by his
rnarled hands, stared at him over his
shoulder with a malicious glitter IN his
small gray eyes The little girl, Molly,
eyed him with grave disappointment.
Hello" she said. Where's your
hat?"
planned loudly and shot an approval
seeeking glance at Esther. She smiled
broadly and then checked herself
scaastened attitude. In his strange lack
or condolences and gayety. that made
her voice gentle when she spoke.
We're i1uddled in the kitchen, Mr..
Cameron, because dad let the furnace
IRE 20 out last night The robbers
sAxcited him so that he forgot 1t.
Nov, Of courze." Walker corrected
sniartiy, they took this rockies gun
and clothes away from him, but they
f don't know whether We can call EN-
ESzrr.z.f.nrx mt -
Z. you wouldn't" Cameron retorted
suuickly, anger suddenly clarifying his
naFnd, and turning 70 Eli: The ser
reant told me 70 look over that car
fxain, Mr.. Meek. Can see it?"
IL Appreciation of the insult had dawned
gradually on the police chief. He
kSeowied and started TO speak, but
- Dads getting TO know that car by
heart" she said with a forced light
less. so far, he's shown 1t TO Sergt.
DELANEY and Mr.. Lyon and Chief
walker and now TO you"
NE mr.. Lyof?" the trooper asked, puz-
Nxied.
he came out" she explained, Ito
see IL we could take his sister in for
= few days. She used TO stay here. and
Its quiet"
mi Meek scowled furtively. nursed
his sharp knee tighter. and, addressing
the smouldering Walker. resumed what
WAS evidently an interrupted converse
Etton.
"They-or this here Jap, or whoever
done it. didn't steal nothing of'n Mr..
Etrake?"
Walker shook his head.
"Now," the old man pursued In
atensely, I'D Of thought II he'd had all
these here jewels, the feller what killed
1n4m-"
THE Jap killed him" the police chief
interrupted. Revenge or something.
III ind out yet, too"
Cameron raised hts eyebrows osten-
cautiously and looked out Of the window
with a patronizing smile on his lips.
walker, marking him, was not pleased,
IL "Weil?" he challenged.
"Tilen why" Cameron asked smoothly
did the men who drove that car sand
bag me and shoot at Delaney"
Walker shrugged heavy shoulders.
Now I'll ask one" he said patron
fzangiy. How could whoever drove that
car have got into the Strake apart
snent without any one seeing him
And, furthermore, suppose he leaked
Ia and out through a keyhole or some
thing and did shoot mr.. StFake, whj
should they make extra trouble foi
themselves by shooting at Delaney, no
10 mention Eobbing you OF your ma
and gun and blouse? NO. SIR, this ca
out here belongs 10 run-runners OF
something like that"
WAS there rum aboard herr" Cam
eron asked, but Walker, ignoring him
had moved over beside Esther and wal
leaning against the table and talkini
10 her Ia low voice. j..
THAT Jap had no more TO do VIII
killing Sirake than Molly here did,
Cameron said loudly 10 the room II
general
Walked flushed as he raised his heat
and then grinned with feigned toler
snce.
"Oh, 90 find your hat before yol
esari after murderers," ne babe VIII
an ostentatious laugh, and announced
IN Esther: old n Troop Is certain.
going downhili They need nurse
maid with every patrol now" =,
He laughed thunderousiy and VI
leek's shoulders shook.
- Their mirth turned camerons fac
white, bat he spoke quite quietly, hi
Land on the door.
why not Te-enlist. then, Walker"
He slammed the portal behind hin
end tEsmpsd across the yard 70 whsE'