Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-11-23

anu mutually decided to emu a.. SOM.
how, 1t wasn't the same after the ho.
got wind of 1t. We parted the hest :.
friends. however, even though NM
haven't met since"
'Then You wouldn't know NJ ho.
trip to Philadelphia just before Sine.
died. She went secretly; it looks IN
me as If she might have some connee-
ZION with the tragedy ITSELF"
The tentative theory was a tran IN
force the physicians hand, TEMPTING
him to produce his faxed alibi for
Laura Jordan and thus reveal his own
dishonesty.
But he evaded it cleverly. II don't
believe that for moment" was all he
said. Unfortunately, have no knowl.
edge of her recent movements"
Yet Myra Prentiss," Rankin stated
deliberately, "was definitely led to un-
derstand that you do. More than that
you also spent the last month with her
in love nest at Lake Geneva"
At this calculated attack, for one
brief second, Doctor Princes features
turned pasty hue with fresh dread.
But again, he recovered himself.
You're talking in riddles, RAN
KIM" he rasped out. "This Prentiss
woman is mistaken, whoever she isv'
Rankin fully disclosed his own
strong hand. "Do you deny, Doctor
Prince, knowing that she imperson-
ated Laura in st. Louis? She believed
Mrs. Jordan went north with you; and
she met her in Philadelphia last week.
supposing she had just left you.
Actually, Laura had been east for some
time setting her plans, and at this end
completing her abb with your help"
"Of course I deny It !" the doctor ex-
claimed, on edge. Everything On
1t, are you daring to suggest I'm re-
sponsible for the boys murder?"
II suggest you knew where your
lover was this last month and the pur-
pose of her trip: that. in fact, You
contrived 1t with her. That you were
also aware Stuart intended to divorce
his wife when he reached twenty-five
and so disinherit her. That you could
have given her the information she
needed to enter the Mu Beta Sigma
house during the initiation. That
you might have supplied the pol
son. :"
murderous rage contorted the
alumnus' face Quivering with an
overwhelming fear, he leaped to his
feet and crashed his fist on the desk.
"Get out of here, Rankin, quick - he
shouted. "You are trying to trap me
into discriminating myself and exceed
ing your authority. If you intend to
hold me, I have right to the Gus
tomary warning. This Prentiss woman
Is total stranger to me; and except
for her lies, you haven't single iota
Of proof to connect me with the
crime!"
And Rankin was appalled, to recog-
nize that accuracy of his pronounce
ment. In writing about her affair Of
almost year ago, the actress never
mentioned her paramour's name. And
If she had, that would not involve him
In the conspiracy to murder her hus-
band. Myra Prentiss' word alone con-
nected Doctor Prince with it, the ac-
cessory who was both Laura Jordan's
past and present lover. For the rest,
his guilt was based purely on hypothe-
sis, without even circumstantial evil
dence The detectives case against
her was complete; but unless she con-
fessed and implicated her distant ac-
complete of her alibi, no jury in the
world would convict him.
Confronted at the last moment by
Imminent failure. Rankin sat silent;
somberly, his eyes wandered to the
desk. And then they suddenly wild
ened, lighted by an amazed wonder
and excitement. The discovery he
made at that instant had been staring
him in the face since his arrival; but
only now, for the first time, did he
really observe 1t and appreciate its
tremendous significance. For in one
fell swoop, it told him the entire truth
about the case. Abruptly it concluded
his investigation; It brought Doctor
Prince to the gallows, ant most aston
ishing of all, supplied a SOLUTION total
ly unforeseen and new-the correct
one, at long last.