The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-06-03
Chapter 32
WHERE IS CAROLINE?

WHERE Is 0AhOLINE!
 Mrs. Parados shut her eyes as Flique stopped. I found myself drawing a breath of relief. Flique lived for the dramatic, believe.
 Kirk retrieved his hat, which he had dropped and Samuels touched a match to his cigar, which had gone out several minutes before.
 When Mrs. Parados opened her eyes their calmness astonished me. Miss Jahries at that instant came to Mrs. Parados' side and took her hand, and I realized that they had met on the level of a common ex- perience
 "The pendant is mine" Mrs. Parados said quietly. Dan gave it to me. It was the unbearable hu- initiation, as you said. It made me crazy. I did rush down the outside stair. And he clutched at the pendant and broke off the tag. But I did not kill him. He was standing in the window and he fell back into the room before l got to him.
 Someone had shot him. I don't know who it was. But was terri fled It had been in my heart to do him an injury, to kill him, if I could, perhaps, and lost my head completely. That was why l didn't announce what had hap pened Afterwards, when my first terror had passed, I realized what I ought to have dcne. It was too late then.
 Everybody knew how I hated Dan, and I could not speak with out throwing suspicion on myself. I stamped the pendant into the soil beneath the coprosma. I didn't know what else to do with it. When I got upstairs again I looked back and saw MT. Annersley slip into the library and shut the patio win dow behind him. I thought he had shot Dan, but you say he couldn't have. There, I have told you every thing. You don't believe me, of course"
 I didn't know whether we did CT not. At first, had been sure that Mrs. Parados was guilty Now l wasn't so sure. Too many ele- ments had to be taken into con- sideration. The weapon, for in- stance.
 Then there was Grainger's death. If she had killed Parados, she had killed Grainger, but Flique had not said anything about that. Flique would give us our cue, but F'ligue, as usual, was taking his time about it.
 Well, what's the answer?" Sam uels demanded impatiently.
 F'lique had been mediating.
 Madame has told us her little mystery" he said briskly. Clearly, she did not kill monsieur, her hus- band"
 "You do believe me!' Mrs. Para dos sobbed thankfully, clasping her hands.
 T believe that madame did not fire those shots Flique said cold Iy. But must I remind her that he-um-indirect responsibility is hers?"
 You refer to those advertise ments?" Samuels asked sharply.
 "Mais oui. Did they not bring M. Parados and that poor Grainger to their deaths?"
 You know that?" shouted Sam uels. You are sure?"
 Would I have said so, if it were not SOP" Flique inquired, twirling his mustache.
 Are you telling me that ieI Balafre and Bee killed Parados and Grainger9p Samuels swept on. eHow do you know? Do you know? Gan you prove it? Do you know where they are? Can you take me to them?"
 Flique lifted his plump hands in protest. T inplore favor, mon ami. Grant me half an hour. Then shall tell you what you desire to know"
 Samuels gave him a long look eAll right" he muttered. T hope you are not bluffing."
 Monsieur shall have the glory, Flique said, lowing.
 Flique's attitude struck me as being unnecessary and deliberate ly confusing. He had implied that le Balafre and Bee had killed Par ados and Grainger, but he had not actually said so; moreover. the evil dence he had declared to be sig nificant-his living tissue"-did not annear to connect them with eith- CT crime.
 ' 0n the other hand his evidence did not appear to duplicate anyone slse thought that Samuels was .nowine A good deal of patience. F1ioue must have divined what vas going on in my mind. for ne