New Britain herald., 1930-10-10

IeHllelu HeSlldleu, tyelllS neF sharply; suddenly he spoke with stern abruptness. When did you last see MT. Jack Winslow?"
 Yesterday afternoon, just after his return from the city"
 You brought Miss Chase in with you?" he inquired, and as she bow ed her head afirmatively: That is all, Miss Kline;" but the nurse fingered on the platform and he glanced at her sharply. "Wen?"
 My patient is very delicate. May I stay here with herr"
 He nodded. Yes" gruffly, and Miss Kline hurriedly followed the morgue master into the anteroom. A second later they returned, push ing Elsa along in wheel chair.
 Contrary to custom, Coroner Pen- field did not commence his examina- tion with the more or less stereotyp- ed questions.
 Miss Chase" he began, "are you engaged 10 Mir. Jack Winslow?"
 T am.' she replied, with a catch in her throat.
 You have known Mr. Winslow and his family for some time?"
 During the past year, yes"
 And are you on good terms with all of them?"
 Certainly, or l would not remain as their guest Her quiet dignity and her unusual type Of beauty were making their impression, even on Coroner Penfeld.
 What part of the country are you from, Miss Chaser" he demanded.
 New England"
 Boston, in fact?"
 She shook her head. "The Glasses come from Cornish, New Hamp- shire-'
 But you have lived in Boston, i" with an insistence that brooked no denial. And there you knew pr. Kane"
 T did not" she cried. "I never met him until Monday night
 "So?" Coroner Penfield.s s smile was skeptical. And how long did it take him to make his examination ?"
 Not so long" Elsa acknowledged. "Dr. Kane was very thorough" for the first time her voice trembled; ; very encouraging, for he held out strong hopes for my ultimate re- covery by the removal of the pres sure on my spine"
 You would be the gainer then had Dr. Kane lived" Penfield sug- gested swiftly.
 Yes"
 And are the loser through his murder?"
 What is that you say" she ask ed. 'Dr. Kane murdered? Oh, it is not possible.'
 Murdered" went on Penfield, his voice deepening, while visiting old friends and murdered within eight hours of his arrival in Washington. Of those eight hours, Miss Chase, he spent the greater time with you" Elsas blue eyes were raised and stared steadfastly into his. She listened as if hypnotized. You have just stated that his medical exam- ination took not so long, initiating her tone. Then what occupied the rest of his time with you?"
 We were talking" About what?"
 My engagement to Jack" Elsa became more conscious of the close atmosphere of the overloaded room, it made her head swim. "Dr. Kane | knew Jack well when he was at Harvard and he told me many anec- dotes of Jacks athletic career there and of his remarkable success in chemistry"
 l "Chemstry." Penfield echoed the word with triumphant emphasis, "So | Jack Winslow is skilled chemist :; we'll, what business is he engaged in now?"
 | "He-he-" Elsa, bewildered by Penficld's rapidly mounting excite ment and his repeated questions. stammered in her speech. "Dr, Kane was lamenting that Jack hasn't put his knowledge of chemistry to prac- ! tical use"
 He hasn't," Penfeld rested both l hands on the platform against which he leaned and bent toward her. "Dr. 1 Kane was killed by inhaling carbon monoXide gas That gas" he spoke slowly. impressively. for eXperi- mental purposes. can be generated and it's deadly qualities are known | to all chemists" Ills look held hers. Where is Jack Winslow now?"
 As the silence heightened Elsa | pressed her hand against her mouth to suppress the scream she feared 1 would escape her. Could she answer truthfully and keep faith with Jack?"
 "I do not know" she whispered as consciousness left her.