The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-05-06
The House Of the
Three Ganders :, ,sy,Ss
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ner. Later Royce came back In
hurry. He wanted arctic overshoes.
He had en- pair Of rev rubbers. !
knew that he had bought 'em over at
the other store. He said that they
pinched his feet. took them off. The
size mark was on the sole. It was the
exact size and shape Of the pair that
sold to Bumpy Brown. thought
of it when l heard about the rubber
tracks of the murderer" e3
+ "Will you describe the man you call
the Stranger" ,a
HE was a tall man with freckled
face and red hair and very big ears"
This ended the conversation with
Hubbard. a
II am more than ever convinced that.
we have been misled and that Bumpy
is not in the case" said Colonel Blake
as they sat down to dinner.
"A little more evidence will make
me agree with you," was the answer
of the Judge. II happen to know that
Royce has a motive. Il drew the will
Of his mother, who, as you know, is
Mrs. Doolittle. She leaves all her
property-considera sum-to her
son Robert Royce"
The colonel's face grew serious.
"You will remember from his testf-s
mony at Browns examination that he
has no alibi. We had better say no
more of this until the ground under
our feet is a little more solid. Re
member, Shad, you mustn't know too
much. Keep still till we have found
our way"
Shad promised to hold his tongue
but he could hardly conceal his elation
over the clearing outlook for his friend
the tinker
"There Is one circumstance that
must give us pause" said the judge
"The murderer did not seem to be
eager to kill Mrs. Doolittle. True, he
shot at her, but. entering as he did,
he had to begin shooting at once and
create a panic. He couldn't hesitate
then. A few seconds later he had his
chance to kill Mrs. Doolittle. He stood
close in front of her with the revol.
yer pointing at her face. He could
have killed her then but he didn't
shoot. He struck her. She fell and
fed out Of his way"
"Consider the psychological situa-
tion," the colonel began. "She was
his mother. Apart from her he could
plan her death but, face to face with
the woman who had borne him, he
weakened. He would have been glad
: to get out of the house without killing
but he couldn't"
"Well. we shall all be wiser in a
week." the colonel remarked as they
arose from the table.
They hired a team. at the livery
stable and set out for Ashfield and the
county seat. They stopped at Amity
Dam to pick up Shad's clothing, then
at the home Of the judge in Ashfield.
The colonel was urged to spend the
night there.
mo, thank you," he answered.
"Shad and have got some business to
do in the village before we take the
evening train to Canton"
They left their baggage at the hotel
and discharged the team. They went
to Royce's shop on the island. Royce
was not there.
On the street tradesman stopped
them with interesting news. While
fishing he had found a tan coat and
overalls on the river shore below the
bridge. The colonel went to his store
and took possession of them. It was
undoubtedly the suit worn by the MUIR
derer.
do you know whom 1t belongs tor"
the colonel asked.
NO." was the answer. "They say
Robert Royce wore suit like that
when he worked in his barn."
They were out on the street when
Colonel Blake said to his young friend:
"Pard, we have two hours before
train time. You know, of course, that
clothes are an important part of life
on this planet. Your grand new suit
has been swum in. Its pristine purity
has departed. The cruel rusticity Of
Amity Dam is on you. Come with me
and l will complete your emancipa-
ton"
They went to a clothing store.
Here, sir, is a young friend Of
mine," Colonel Blake said to the
genial clerk. II wish you to deprive
him of this Amity Damned appear
ance. Let US hurl economy to the
winds and go to work."
tTo BE coNTrNUED.>