The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-24


 when I thought you were with him. oh. Tom. wish l had called -or gone in"
 "There, honey. Don't think about that! Be sure, now-is that absolutely all you remember?"
 "Yes. I though then that the step. in the hall was Cousin Amos. Of course it was whoever went in to murder him."
 "Went in probably to raise hell about that easement. You say his room door was shut when we got back from the 6ance ?"
 "Yes, but he probably heard us come in. I've felt all along that he may have gotten up later and opened the door, thinking no one would be passing. Remember the air was hotter and closer all the time."
 "Pratt says he left his door open. Claims he went right off to sleep but that he wakes easily. | LOO. OdyS llO AlaS bA0AAiCo AiAAoSAA to fall asleep instantly and wake at any noise. Talks about wild animals in camp and such heroics." "Then the creaky door didn't bother him ?" He told me abou. it, so at least he noticed it. Claims, how ever, he can rise above such minor annoyances. But, Binks, he says he heard a step in the hall. too" :. Their eyes met.
 "Then he says he heard the click of a door latch and then the easement creaking once or twice. " How can he say he heard all that and not the voices = or the scuffle when Cousin Amos was thrown over and then admit he heard me fall inside the room only a few minutes later?" Says he went off to sleep. On again, off again, just like that He acts as if he controlled it like turning water faucet. He heard | the creaking door-then he slept. He woke to hear a step, a door latch and the door again. Then, he says, silence-and off to sleep again. A little later, thump. Up s~rings Marvin, grabs bis pants, and dashes off to your rescue"
 Don't forget the underwear, said Linda.
 "Oh, yes. Off pajamas = or per- haps he wears night shirt on underwear, on pants-enough for | modesty. yet done in a trice. l believe that is the correct express sion.
 Tt does sound phoney." Linda seemed thinking aloud. "But you said yourself Marvin was quick i mover"
 T did and he is. But, Binks-- you said he was very reluctant to talk about it yesterday. To-day, while he didn't bubble over. he was ready enough with his infor- nation. Strikes me he's had time to think about it Che may be a | quick mover, but as you pointed out. he's a slow thinker), and Sees he's got to talk about it perfectly openly and naturally and to | have good clear story, too" Well, how do you think he did it." demanded Linda. "How's this for - what did Shaughnessey call it?-reconstruc- tion? Pratt didn't undress com pletely or go to bed. He has hot little room ana small one. Well, after we get back he sits up. hot and broody, door open--and hears that internal easement going 'rork-rork,' ase you call it. He stands 1t just so long. Then he goes more or less berserk and starts out to stop 1t or know the reason why.
 Perhaps he knocks on the door. Perhaps he thinks Cousin Amos is asleep and he can simply pull the window to and tiptoe out J Probably he doesn't think any thing about it-just goes. Cousin Amos bobs up in bed and gives him hell for forcible entry. Mar win explains his purpose. He's still angry at the old man and probably more than short with him. Cousin Amos gets madder. Marvin, spare that door s- touch not'-etcetera. Marvin touches. Cousin Amos springs up, madder than ever. They argue on the threshold of the balcony and sud- denly-it's done! That's the way I figure it out anyhow" (TO Be C0ntinuedl