Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-27

of the ground. It went clean through him"
Let me see it, please"
The sergeant dropped small lead pellet into
Matthew Kelton's palm Kelton examined it
closely.
What do you make of it, captain?"
1T know a bit about guns. Hobby of mine,"
the police captain said. But this bullet is
something unusual Steel nose. Very long.
Like a small nail almost Too big for %
caliber. Too small for 80. can't tell what
sort of gun fired it. I'd say, though, that it
was fired =. close range and by steady hand"
Obviously" said Matthew Kelton, studying
the bullet Gums are a hobby of mine, too.
captain. Now, it's my opinion-an opinion
merely, you understand-that this bullet was
fired from Skomak pistol"
Never heard Of one" said the police captain.
Not many people in America have" said
Matthew Kelton, looking, not at the captain,
but at Guy Oakley. And that's fortunate,
too doubt If there are dozen weapons OF
this particular sort in the entire country. They
are the invention of a German and are, or
rather were, made in Czechoslovakia. The
police prohibited their manufacture after
about a hundred had been placed the mar
ket They are tiny, Single-shot pistols of Is
caliber, so small they can easily be carried in
q vest pocket.
1.-THE inventor, who had a Macabre sense Of
humor, called his pistol the murderess,' be-
cause it was so convenient for homicidally Inc
clined ladies to carry in a handbag. It looks
like a toy-but it was with such toy that
poor Cope was killed"
Abruptly Matthew Kelton said to Oakley.
"Do you own a Skomak pistol?"
The bankers jaw frightened. ct do"
Where is it?"
an the top drawer of my dresser"
Loaded
Eyes; keep it loaded"
did you have 1t tonight?"
ct did not"
when did you last see it?'
"I don't remember-exactly. got it from q
New York importing firm several months ago.
I practiced target shooting with it on several
occasions. 1t was rather inaccurate at more
than about twenty feet. loaded it, and put
1t in a small drawer of my dresser, and have
had no occasion to take it out since then"
"Then it should be there now"
eyes"
Loaded"
I'm certain of that"
what about your other pistol?"
THAT is an ordinary five-shot automatic
of a well known American make. 1t is in the
hip pocket of the gray suit hanging in my
closet"
"Sergt Lester" said Matthew Kelton, will
you please go up to Mr.. Oakley's room and
bring back both guns?"
Eyes, Mr. Kelton."
Lets see, now" said Matthew Kelton, was
Cope armed?"
mo" said Police Capt Lamotte. Here is
a list of the contents Of his pockets A gold
watch and chain, to one end of which is ate
tackled a cigarette lighter. leather wallet
containing nothing but some visiting cards and
$40 in bills. A white silk handkerchief, with his
initials, L. c., on it. A fiat pigskin cigarette
case containing four cigarettes. A small paper
bag containing what appears to be raw beef.
steak cut into cubes about the size of Jumps
of sugar."
"Wen, I'm dashedl" exclaimed Matthew KEEL.
ton, his eyes Frightening. There's some puzzle
here Let me look at this odd exhibit.
He peered into the paper bag.
Nov, Why" he said, should Cope carry o
bag of bits of meat In the pocket of his dinner
coat?"
you've got me there" said the police captain.
Anything else In his pOckets?"
''NO. Wait q bit Sergt. Lester did pick W