The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-06-19
Chapter 30 SUNDEAN'S SEARCH


 sUNDEAN's SEARCH
 ORN did not turn up until after = lunch. and he came straight to me. The police. he said, were very busy. and things didn't look any too bright for me. h
 There's one thing that may help you, however" he said. And that's the gun. They are tracing 1t, and, while it's rather slow work, still 1t may prove to have had no connec- tion with you" pNa
 May prove!" said hotly. T never saw that gun before. Which reminds me. haven't any gun with me, and need one"
 Need one?" murmured Lorn, looking morosely at me.
 "Of course I need one," said im- patiently. But don't plan to shoot anybody with 1t, so you needn't look like that. Surely you've got more than one and can loan me one"
 He finally admitted that he'd got two small automatics, and if I would do nothing rash with 1t he might be persuaded to lend me one. I was grimly amused at, his using the word rash. which seemed alto gether too mild in connection with the violence which occasioned it.
 Have the police traced the poi son yet?" I asked. t
 Not that l know of," said Lorn. They've sent to the Paris labora- tories. did discover. however that no car had been found.
 q had Miss Tally show me as nearly as she could the spot where she left her abductor's car. and it's quite close to the hotel. and a strange car has not been found. It's possible. of course. that If her ab ductor was in conspiracy with Lov- schiem he used Lovschiem's car. But there's no way we can make sure."
 "Either that or the abductor went back to his car and drove away. and the murdered man was not her ab- ductor-and thus. then, his death was not necessarily connected in any way with Miss Tally" si
 Possibly" said Lorn.
 wished momentarily I could get out of my head Mrs. Byngs unex- pected story of the lights going out and Sue and said: 4e.
 The man in the courtyard may have been the priest?" ,s
 "Ah-" said Lorn. He was look, ing at the bank white paving at his, feet, but his voice had kind of -gettingwarm" -feeling1 about 1t.
 What's your opinion of his talk Ing the trouble to arrange false alibi?" asked.
 Well" said Lorn cautiously. tits not an argument for his innocence"
 He says he wished to keep en- tirely clear of the whole affair; 1t seems he dreaded any connection with 1t on account of his position. A mere matter of discretion, accord ing to him."
 "Oh." said Lorn. giving me a quick look. "So you taxed him with 1t. Do you think i. was wise to let him know your suspicions?"
 TT could only place me in dan ! ger." l said. And that. in the last three days. has been nothing unusual. Besides" l added mali ciously. q shall have your revolver"
 Not" said Lorn. suddenly firm. eff you're going to use 1t. Besides. it's only two days and three nights This is the third day"
 You think that if we push, this matter about the priest too far be, fore we can actually prove he is the murderer"
 If he Is the murderer" inter polated Lorn gently.
 "-he's apt to take the-er- swiftest way to-get what he wants"
 "Yes." said Lorn quietly. "And having killed twice. the murderer isn't going to be too careful not to kill again. Of course. though, Tn not saying it was the priest-oi rather, if you are right so far. the man who poses as priest. I'm moi even saying that the same person killed both men, although it is g probability"
 But the time" I said impa tiently.
 rNot so much time has elapsed Sundean. It seems long. of course but it's really been very short"
 'If Miss Tally were only out o' IA H. -t.A