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

cup OF tea and go 10 pea. Inere was q Sullle
on his face, which was rather like ripe crab
apple He was getting the key to the cipher.
But then he usually did
Matthew Kelton had one passion-puzzles.
Having made a neat fortune for himself by
inventing some new chemicals, he was able in
middle age to retire and devote his life to his
fayorite pastirne. Any sort of riddle held a
fascination for him; but what interested him
most was the deepest, strangest riddle OF all
the riddle of human behavior.
The clock in the corner OF his prim old
fashioned study struck midnight He bent his
white head the maze of symbols and
hieroglyphics that made up the cryptogram
Then his telephone rang. With certain mild
impatience he went to answer 1t.
This is Evan Turner" said the voice at the
other end of the wire.
Hello. Evan Something wrong? Your
voice is tense"
Can you come to the house of Guy Oakley
that big ugly place Dark River road
at once?"
I'm rather busy. What for?"
Because" said Turner they've just found
the body of Lewis Cope there-and mes been
murdered-shot."
ANY idea who did it?"
The man at the other end of the wire hesi-
tated. Before Turner could answer Matthew
Kelton said: They're accusing Guy Oakley.
Isn't that the Situation?"
eyes"
'Does he admit it?"
''No"
Has ne an allOl?"
Again Turner heSitated mo. Not con-
elusive one, anyhow"
Doesn't sound like Oakley" said Matthew
Kelton. "Still, you never can tell. Repressed
men explode sometimes Well, what do you
want me to do?"
Drive over here Immediately"
'But why, Evan? I'm deep in q real puzzle.
see no puzzle in the killing Of Cope. The
bitter hate of Oakley for Cope and Cope for
Oakley, has become classic, like the friend
ship of Damon and Pythias. When two strong
men hate like that, something Is bound TO
happen. Apparently, now it has"
my duty is to do everything possibly can
TO save Guy Oakley" said Turner. That's
why I'm turning to you You might see some
thing the police would miss You'd be doing
me great favor, Matthew, to come over"
Simple vulgar murders fail to interest me
much. It's worse than stupid-its in bad taste"
said Matthew Kelton. He thought moment.
"You say that Guy Oakley has no real alibi?"
"In be frank with you, Matthew. He hasn't.
A jury would laugh at his story, and hang him
without leaving the box"
Hmm. Now that is interesting In fact,
scent the elements Of a puzzle. III be right
overt"
THE residence of Guy Oakley, the banker,
- was a vast and gloomy mildly Victorian house
on the edge Of an extensive pine wood Matthew
Kelton was shown into large somber drawing
ROOM full Of black walnut furniture. group
of men had gathered there-Oakley, Evan
Turner Police Capt. Lamotte, DR.. usher. They
bowed toward Matthew Kelton as he came in.
Evening, Mr.. Kelton," the police captain
said. "a bad business. I'm afraid"
Crime always Is, captain. Wen?"
"Come into the library with me, Matthew.
I'll give you the facts" Evan Turner said.
Matthew Kelton followed the lawyer into an
austere, book-lned room.
"Oaklev is client" said the LAWYER. ST
don't dodge the fact that the evidence Is dead
against him. He hated Cope, and Cope hated
him. It's an old story, and not pretty one."
"a woman?"
ayes"
go on"
"They were sworn enemies Their hatred was
almost religion with them. I'm not going to
keep any important fact from you, Matthew"
quite right"
"Only a week ago had dinner with Guy
Oakley in this very house. I've been his at
torney for years. but I've never been close
friend. I doubt If he has any,"
Strong, silent men are apt not to-"
well, the cocktails warmed up Oakley, made
him communicative-for him. We were talking
along about nothing in particular when sud-
denly he burst out "That cur Copel I saw
him today, looking at me with those evil green
eyes of his. TIL never be happy-or safe
while he's in the world. I'd kill him, II
thought could get away with It'll"
at told Oakley he was fool to talk like
that-to me, anybody. He Gained down,
and said he didn't mean it, But he did,
Matthew"
mo doubt. Well, what then?"
"Here is what happened tonight: Oakley had
dinner alone. He had four cocktails, half
bottle Of Sauterne and highbaN. SO Reeves,
his butler testified. Liquor, as know. always
made him sullen, even savage He was in