The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-05-28
"MacNair!" I cried. arhast.

"MacNair!" ! cried. aghASt.
why not? You told me he Is
known all over the country. You said
he solved nearly every case he UNDER
took"
"MacNair has retired" I objected.
He'd probably refuse to help U.S."
But he mightn't," Lucy pleaded.
we could ask him.
Her eloquent eyes pinned me down.
How could I tell her Of my unholy
fear that MacNair might add Jerry
to his tragic number of m%urderers?
INDIGESTION held me in torment and
then my faith renewed itself and
courage illuminated the blackness of
my soul.
Very we'll" I said. We'll ask
him.
Lucy flung her soft arms around
my neck and kissed me. "You dcar!"
she cried. Come onr Well 60 right
away"
My dear child! The man will
have been in his bed for hours. Look
at the time! Twelve o'clock! OFT to
bed with you"
She slipped to her feet and stood
facing me pityingly. hands on her
slender hips. You'd make q fine de-
tective! Don't you know they always
get on the ground at once? If you
don't come with me this minute,
Uncle John. I'll 60 alone!"
That settled it, of course. Mac
Nair's house is a shabby old stucco
place set in a lovely garden two
blocks below ours. He was having a
sur porch built on to it and we had
to pick u way through a tumble of
builders materials. Lucy rang the
bell and o we heard footsteps in
the hall. A light snapped on. the
door was flung open and Luther Mac
Nair stood before us. He was none
too pleased to see lis.
Hello. there" he growled, II was
just going to bed"
Il am sorry to disturb you at this
/, hour" I said apologetically. But the
reason of our call Is rather serious.
This is my niece, Lucy. Mr. MacNair,
! Lucy. We r dreadfully upset about
this tragic affair at the Ogdens'. The
| police seem to think Ogden's son,
Jerry, had something to do with It,"
Indeed"
Yes. My niece and young Jerry
arc greatly attached to each other.
AS a matter Of fact, they are en-
gagged"
Yes, yes!" he interrupted irritably.
But what's it got to do with me?"
Your reputation followed you here.
MI. MacNair," I said humbly. I'VE
came to consult YOU"
ITO consult me! I told you and
Deacon ! was out Of this sort OF
thing"
ITO be sure" I stammered. But
I thought-the matter Is so urgent
we hoped you might be persuaded
Wont you take hold Of 1t for US
Mr.. MacNair?" Lucy broke in plead
ingly. her dark eyes more eloquent
than ! had ever seer them.
He seemed to think rapidly for Z
moment.
Come inside" he said CURLY.
We followed him into q library and
he offered us chairs in front Of
fireplace with q red ember or tws
still glowing in the crate. Paper
sticks and q log soon started
cracking blaze and MacNair drew uY
. third chair. The reflection from
the fire softened his lean. hard face,
the swarthy skin, the high cheel
bones and slit Of 4 mouth. the deeI
penetrating eyes. As I studied tn
man. neither liking nor diSliking him
1t came over me that we had COM
to the right place. II any man o.
earth could put his finger on Ogden
murderer It was Luther Macl1air.
Copyright. 1919, Win. Morrow Co.
win the famous man.hunter Fix
the crime on Jerry? Lucy's 81.
perb confidence stands out against
the logical evidence. Continue
the story Tomorrow.