The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-12-14
CHAPTER CONTINUED


Without waiting to be informed, he
knelt beside the bridegroom's body.
Then, with a low "shhn OF expelled
nance to Peter again.
"Jim franklin he CALCULATED.
Look here, Doctor"
The medical examiner knelt beside
him, and with swift fingers, laid back
the vest and shirt that covered the
wounds.
Franklin's death had been caused
by two knife thrusts, one long Jagged
tear across the groin, the second q
smooth deep wound, between the ribs
at or near the heart. This second
wound was about three Inches wide,
and at either end small blue bruise,
half the size of dime. stood out
against the white skin.
Sergeant KIldays glance darted
about the room. questioningly.
1.-THE knife Isn't here. Sergeant"
Nick Royce Informed him. 1--WE al
ready looked"
..Who found him?n the officer asked
tersely.
Il did. / was his best man, and
was waiting out there In the sacristy,
for the Wedding March to begin"
Royce volunteered. He repeated the
story he had told the others of the
discovery OF the crime, not emitting
the fact that his first action had been
to telephone the story to his paper
you telephoned Topics before you
notified us7s Kf1day's tone was IN
creduious
The newspaper man nodded.
''And you were his best man--prettv
cold-blooded, wasn't it7a Kilday eyed
the man narrowly.
Il don't look at 1t that way Royce
denied. "Jlm was dead | couldn't
help him. And couldn't keep story
like that out OF the papers even II |
wanted to-" He pointed at his dead
friend. Jim Franklin has been MUIR
dered. Every one knows Jim Frank
lin. He'd have been the next governor
OF the state II he had lived. He was
killed In the study of fashionable st.
Matthew's church, while waiting for
his own wedding march to begin. And"
he glanced imperturbedly at Ambrose
Carmody, ''he was marrying Doris Car
mody That's the most dramatic story
since Lindbergh hit Paris.
''Tll sell three hundred thousand pa
pers In the next two hours. If didn't
do 1t, somebody else would"
The medical examiner continued his
examination, briefly He shook his
head when he finally arose. "Instan-
taneous," he said. 1.-THE murderer
gave him the wound across the groin
first, glancing blow, painful, but not
necessarily fatal. Evidently Frank
lin struggled He indicated the torn
collar. "His assailant grabbed him
there, to prevent his calling for help.
There are blue marks on his throat.
As for these" he pointed out the small
bruises at either end of the second
wound, Il don't know where they came
from, but the second wound did the
business. think 1t must have reached
the heart, judging from the loss of
blood"
Sergeant Kilday examined the blue
bruises at either end OF the wound
intently. "What do you make of
them. Peter? he inquired presently.
The novelist shook his head II don't
know" he said. 'Tve been trying to
explain them, In my own mind. but
/ haven't had any luck, SO far"
They were interrupted by sharp
rap on the door.
Kilday opened 1t.
A tall well-built man, whose Intent
gray eyes stared beyond the detective
to the body on the floor, stood In the
doorway.
MAY I be of some assistance?" he
inquired gravely. I'm Milo Dunbar.
Franklin and are-or rather were
partners
Kilday stepped aside to let him by.
There was suggestion OF power In
the reserved dignity Of the mans
smooth-shaven face He stopped be-
side the body. Only for an Instant did
the firm lines Of his mouth relax into
an expression of pity. Then his re-
serve settled back on his face, like a
mask
Have you any idea who did this
thing7" he inquired of the detective.
mot yea" replied Kilday. "But we
will have, before long," he promised
grimly.
Dunbar nodded. Come to me for
whatever help you need" he said.
Kilday grlmaced ruefully. "You can
rest assured we'll go after the man
who did this. We've got to-" He gave
Nick Royce wry smile. If we don't,
every paper in town will be after my
scalp.