The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-09-29
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attic at Oaklands.
 Slipping on a pair of rubber gloves, Thorne handled the glass tubes, bottles of chemicals, blow pipes and so forth; all had been carefully wrapped in soft paper and cotton batting before being placed in the large wooden box containing them. A larger object at the bottom attracted Thorne and he took il out and pulled back the already loose wrapper, disclosing fire ex- tinguisher.
 Balancing it in his hand, Thorne sat and studied the brass surface with deepening interest. By it's light weight, he judged it to be empty Why then preserve it in cot ton batting? AS he tipped it this way and that, pulling out the han dle and letting it in slowly, dawn ing horror crept into his dark eyes. What better method could be devised to pump through a keyhole carbon monoxide gas into a small closed room than an old fire eXtin- guisher filled with that poison gas?
 Springing swiftly to his feet, Thorne wrapped up the fire extin- guisher and hurried into the kit chen.
 Tell me the quickest way to Washington"
 Back at Oaklands, Lucy, the maid, was looking cautiously inside the suite of rooms set aside for Elsa Chase and her trained nurse It was the latters room that par ticularly claimed her espionage. Her eyes sparkled at sight of the open wardrobe trunk and the clothes lying in orderly piles on Miss Kline's bed. As stealthily as she had come, she withdrew, and there by missed seeing the curtains before the window sway gently as hand parted them and a face appeared in the opening.
 A few minutes later Miss Kline, coming from Elsas bedroom and carrying an arm load of clothing, pushed open the door with vigor and caused 1t to swing back to- ward the wall, only stopping when 1t touched the person seeking refuge there. Entirely absorbed in her task the trained nurse never saw the man slip from behind the door into Elsa's bedroom
 Not finding Mrs. Winslow in her bcudoir, Lucy ran downstairs just in time to answer the front door bell and admit Inspector Mitchell, who requested to see MT. Winslow.
 At his entrance Arnold Winslow hung up the telephone receiver and pulled forward a chair.
 I've been trying to get you" he began. Where the devil is Thorne?"
 Haven't seen him since early morning. I have some news for you"
 "Yes?" Winslow hitched his chair forward the inspectors voice held a hint of excitement.
 Mitchell took a folded news paper out of his pocket and a pho- tograph; laying the latter face down on Winslow's flat-top desk, he pointed to the column of obituary notices. Did you see this? No? Then I'll read it to you: LAWRENCE, MRS. BEN.- Suddenly, at her late residence in 35th St., N. w., Washington, l last night. Notice of funeral 1 later. Body at city morgue.
 That mean anything to you?'
 No" admitted Winslow, frank ly mystified by the inspectors i'm pressive manner. T don't recall any Mrs Lawrence.
 "Well;' Mitchell paused for ef- feet; he was enjoying himself. She was the divorced wife of Dr. Joseph Kane"
 1 Good Lord!" The exclamation was echoed by his wife as she came into the den. Singular she and Kane should have died within a few days of each other and both here!"
 l Tt certainly is.' agreed Mitchell heartily, springing up to offer his chair to Mrs. Winslow. Most singular"
 Please sit down again; I prefer to stand" and going to her hus- bands side she rested a hand on his shoulder. Was Sara ill long?' i No; heart trouble the autopsy showed, although dope might have been a contributory cause"
 "A merciful death,' commented Mrs. Winslow softly. Poor Sara; her married life was brief and most unhappy. She was at fault" raising grave eyes to the inspector.
 He nodded. T imagine so from what I've learned. You know her career in Boston, MT. Winslow?"