The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-05-22

at me steadily and earnestly.
 Lets drop in and see Professor Johns" I suggested suddenly. "Tha old fort should be full of interest.
 Professor Johns" She stopped and drowned Don't you think he! eccentric2"
 well, he ought to be-" I laughed He's lived alone long enough.'
 "Yes, that must be it. am not sure I like queer people"
 What about antique dealers?" inquired in an injured tone.
 That tender derisiveness was ir her eyes as she looked up. My heart jumped.
 They can't help themselves, ] |, suppose, and-they can be i'm proved Oh, come on!" | Professor Johns hailed up from 1.-the tower of the fort To our sur prise he came out with a seagull in his arms and blood on his lean white hands.
 Good morning, my friends" he greeted us. This is another of my friends. He hurt one of his wings land have been factoring him" "Is his wing broken?" I inquired No. The bruise is rather deep though. But I washed it and hell be all right in day or two."
 .'The poor thingl" Caroline ex- claimed.
 1 You have an interesting place here, professor" I said. 1 His response was instantaneous
 And I love every crumbling brick of it" he declared with his Illuminating smile. Come, you must see it.
 "The tower has been restored, Caroline exclaimed animatedly. Tt , is a dream of place. Isn't that ivy beautiful?"
 MT. Parados had to make the place habitable for me-" Professor Johns explained, But he wouldn't touch the walls. Every year the warm rains crumble away little more of the original adobe" He led us into the compound of the fort, which was about 150 feet square. The walls, some two feet thick, had been ten feet high at one time. Great gaps weresbroken in them In the center of the compound was goldfish pond, around it a vegetable garden still occupied by odds and ends of the fall planting.
 Lettuce for the rabbits" Profess sor Johns chuckled. AS we poked around the com- poundA Aturning up an old milestone, a primitive wagon wheel, a broken olla, Johns dwelt on the history of the fort.
 Think of it my friendsI A man building himself fort against the coming of a nationl Shall we have look at the tower?" As we came around to the front of the fort a stentorian hail from the other side Of the cove attracted our attention. Kirk was waving to us.
 You are wanted over here" he roared. All of you. Get a move on!.
 More questions" I said, looking anxiously at Caroline, T suppose we'd better gor,
 Dear me-" Professor Johns pro- tested. T thought had told them everything I know. I so much wanted to get back to my book. Have the police any idea yet who shot MT. Parados?'' snS
 Their ideas embrace about every body on the island" I said. Hum We S Samuels' latest suspect"
 The ordeal turned out to be not nearly so unpleasant as we had ex- pected. Douglas Ross, the district attorney, and Dr. Steen, the coro- ner, were the principal officers of the new arrivals. Dr. Steen was a negative sort of person, but Ross was incisive. He did most of the questioning. Johns and were disposed of first and we managed to remain in the room while the others were examined. Each of us was required to give an impression of fingerprints.
 Nothing of moment turned up until Grainger, who had been left until last, was brought in. Ross made no impression on the mans austere gravity until he suddenly said:
 Why. did you drop that rose into the wastepaper basket?"
 T didn't"
 Grainger's lips were frightened.
 Don't lie. Why did you do it?"
 T didnt!"
 Grainger's eyes smoldered angri- ly as he stubborniy repeated his denial.
 "No?" Ross inquired. Why did your master slash you across the cheek?"
 Grainger's hands knotted con- ....rs....,., ssTvt,orasr O red-hapdad