The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-12-21
CHAPTER II
Suspects

that killed Franklin"
The group In the sacristy turned
startled chances In his direction.
"Where did you find that?" Nick
Royce demanded.
Peter explained how 1t had been
hanging in its scabbard, high on the
wall of the Study "
Sergeant Kilday. handling 1t care
fully by the scabbard, as Peter had
done In order not to mar any finger
prints there might be on the handle,
examined it minutely.
Ever seen this before, Doctor?" he
inquired of the rector.
YES. 1t is mine. I brought 1t
from Jerusalem"
did you usually keep 1t In your
study?"
Doctor Alternately nodded. AL the
relics on the west wall of the study
are from the Holy land" he ex-
planned.
The sergeant handed the weapon
carefully to one OF his assistants.
Look the handle over for finger
prints he ordered. "You can use the
study. As soon. as you're through
with 1t, bring 1t back To me. | want
to have look at the blade, next,
Then, turning. he smiled significant
" at Nick Royce.
So You didn't have time to run
home and hide the knife, eh, Mr..
RoyceT'
Don't be d fool. Kilday." The
raillery had died out of the newspa-
per mans voice. TN the first place,
doubt II that's the weapon which
killed Franklin. Secondly. there were
half dozen people who had as good
an opportunity to kill him as |. And
the others had motives. hadn't"
Half a dozen people? Perhaps
you can tell me who they were?" XII
days tone was eager, but freighted
with doubt.
Royce glanced slowly around the
room before replying, his eyes linger-
ing, momentarlly, on boh Doctor Abb
ernathy and Ambrose Carmody.
Mr.. Garmody here had some words
with Franklin In the study d short
time before the murder"
Carmody smiled briefly, as he
shrugged. 1t was evident that he
thought the statement beneath his de-
tense.
And your son. Mr.. Carmody" Nick
Royce continued calmly "Rylie came
back here and threatened Jim Frank
lin short time before the wedding"
! "Rylie?" Carmody's tone expressed
his Indignation. BE careful who you
try to involve In this affair, Royce"
The editor of Topics turned to the
rector for confirmation. "How about
1t. Doctor Abernathy7 You were
here
The rector was obviously reluctant
to speak YES" he said finally,
"Rylle was here. He had an argu-
ment with Mr.. Franklin In my study,
a short time before the wedding.
But he left right away" Doctor
Alternately hurried to add Il talked
to Franklin after that So did Mr.
Royce The Idea that Rylle could
have been connected with this Is pre-
posterous."
what time was this quarrel?" XII.
day demanded.
Il couldn't say, exactly" The rec
tor was still doubtful mot later
than quarter of four. am sure"
Probably earlier than that" added
Royce "Rylie was the first one who
quarreled with Franklin. and that was
right after we came. We arrived a
twenty minutes OF four"
ibid | understand you to say tina
Rylie was the first one to qnarre
with Franklin. Nick?" Peter Cardl
gan leaned forward, elbows on knees
his lean brown hands clasped to
gether, watching the other man In
tently. HE had more than one quar-
rel here, Them
Royce nodded, but glanced at Car
mody. before replying verbally. aTher
was a woman" he said.
Ambrose Carmody turned towar
the man stiffly. Il suppose you CAV
an account OF that to your newspi
per, too7"
"Of course" And then, for I'll
first time defending himself. RoyS
hurried to say, "What else could
dot Every paper In town will ha,
an account of it-and OF this #ema
too.
at was Helen Train" he continue
this time addressing Kilday. ''Cht
Choo Train, OF the Scandals. Frank