The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-16

I left the door unlocked. If nothing
had happened, you would have gone
Immediately to the laboratory and
you would have taken the cylinder
from the clips to lock it in its &C
cuStomed place in the safe.
You, in that case, would have
been the one to die. The person
who set the death trap, if a trap
were set, knew your habit of keep
ing the laboratory locked and seized
the opportunity when he found it
open. He may have been waiting
and watching for such an opportun-
ity"
"Oh, impoSsible!" WILDER pro-
tested, that would mean some
member of my own household or
guests"
Not necessarily. 1t was warm
summer night and most of the
doors and windows were open An
intruder could have gained entrance
to the house easily, but your house
hold and guests must come under
friendly suspicion, at least, If we
are to consider every possibility.
I'm the test of this theory every
person here last night must be con-
sidered potential murderer, even
myself and Joe, until he is elimi-
mated, either by full proof of his
innocence or the discovery of the
guilty person"
I'VE must trace so far as we can
the movements of every one who
was here" he went on. I'VE can
safely narrow down the inquiry at
first to those who were familiar
with the house, who knew about
your invention and experiments, and
how this room was guarded"
That's just why I say your sin
ister suspicious are far-fetched,"
WILDER interjected. They are so
few who come in that category and
it. is preposterous to suspect any OF
them-myself, Sheila, Mr.. Smedley.
Andy, Clara, yourself that's all. I
think that line of inquiry may be
dropped at once as leading no
where. I also think 1t eliminates
the whole theory of attempted
murder"
Possibly" Sheridan agreed. "but
you forget that some one threw that
switch. He is the * in this prob
lem which can not be solved until
he is identified"
ooh, be reasonable, Frank" Smed-
ley broke in, surely you don't sus-
pect Mr.. WILDER of trying to kill
himself: you didn't do 1t yourself;
you're not ass enough to think /
did it: Clara's whole behavior shows
clearly she had nothing to do with
it; it IS ridiculous even to think OF
Sheila in such connection and as
for Andy. he makes a poor picture
of the cold FLOODED, calculating vii
lain you have drawn in the soaring
fight of your imagination.
81 agree with Mr. WILDER; you're
on the wrong track; come down to
earth. You'll have to look much
farther afield for your mysterious
Mr.. X"
Nov, don't get excited" Sheridan
replied, placatingly mo accusa-
tons are being made. This is only
conjectural, process of running
down every possible trail. I want to
be open-minded to every possibility,
that is all.
Lets pass that phase and con-
slider the others who were here last
night. Mrs. Rogers and her daugh-
ter, and Shiela's other friends, the
Misses Whipple, Anderson and
Sheldon safely may be checked off.
The caterers men are an unknown
quantity; I must look them up
carefully. That leaves only Enderby
and Westervelt."
And Dicky." Smedley added sar-
castically. There's your deep-eyed
Yillain!"
' And Dicky," Sheridan repeated
without smile. Il won't forget
him. What do you know about
Enderby and Westervelt?" he asked.
turning to WILDER. Are you sure
they were bona fide representatives
of the Demorel Company"
WILDER laughted. Il never saw
either of them until they arrived at
my office yesterday. But they pre-
Sented a letter of introduction from
an official of the Demorel Company,
with whom I had been in CORE
Spondence.
7 referred to matters which had
discussed with no one other than
the Demorel Company official. I
think that establishes their identity
and standing very well. But even
were they sostors, what would
they hav4 gain by my death?
This iIiquSit-6n is leading nowhere"
he concluded impatiently.
THE motive, the motivei That's
the stumbling block" said Sheridan.