The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-06-21


 affairs and this one seems hopeless ly complicated. It Is so far from our custom of everyday living that we all feel there must be some error."
 Harper heard the emotional catch in her voice and lowered his gaze from the lifted glass to meet her wide-eyed scrutiny. Mrs. Croyden," he replied in voice equally grave, "there is now no room for doubt. We are always loath to believe that any person within our own circle could deliberately take human life. We run against the feeling in every case. But it happens. Last year there were nearly five hundred homicide cases in New York City alone. According to the law of aver ages. out of every hundred thou sand persons now alive about a dozen will die within the next twelve months-murdered"
 The clear, wide eyes clouded. "Please!" she cried. q hate such statistics. They are so sordid and hopeless. Is there any real hope of a solution, or are we all to go about under stigma the rest of our lives! This worthless criminal who came into this house to die has more power to harm us now than when he was alive and threatening only one!"
 Here was the same wild plea voiced again. even as Dufresne had blazed forth. "Yes, have been told before that this unknown mans life was worthless, depraved and crim inal," Harper countered drily. "and l have also been told that he is an ab solute stranger to every one in this house. l find the two statements rather inconsistent"
 A LINE CROYDEN turned pale 4 and her hands clenched as she took a step backwards. Fright and terror stared out of her eyes with the realization of the detectives warning. We have no fear of what you imply" she declared. If the ! facts are dealt with honestly and trust you to do that"
 Thank you" he returned gravely, and looked again at the dark smudges on the goblet. using his ,magnifying lens through force of habit. That thumb mark, with its double ridge breaking across the central whorl-that was familiar, surely? Then the answer flashed in. to his mind and such a startled look came over his face that Mrs. Croy. den stared from his transformed features to the goblet and back again.
 1 "What is it, MT. Harper@ she breathed.
 ! < The detective flashed her a look as if he had entirely forgotten her presence. Just small point, but aycurious one" he replied guardedly. placing the goblet far back on his workable.
 "Now Mrs. Croyden, I'd like to ask few questions. if may. Will you sit down?"
 f"First to make our records com plete. will you please tell me how you and MT. Croyden spent last eve ming. say from six o'clock on? We are required. you know, not to ex- empt any one in a case like this"
 "Well, 1 think you will be quite satisfied with our alibi. It consists of about two thousand witnesses. Last evening Mr. Croyden and Hugo Palese. the 'cellist. gave joint re. cital at Orpheus Hall.
 We had dinner at the Savoy, rather early. as there had been a last-minute substitution in the pro- gram and Richard wanted little extra time for rehearsal. The con- cert began at 8:45. and was over about 10:30. We had just reached home and MT. Croyden was foraging in the refrigerator for late snack when MT. Dufresne's call came through.
 f'Our house is just around the cor ner, you know. on Cypress Lane. In fact, you can see corner of the back of 1t from these very windows"
 As Mrs. Croyden raised her arm to indicate the position of the house, the sunlight struck points of fire from an unusually beautiful ring she wore on the same finger with her wedding ring. catching and fash ing back the brilliance of two excep- tionally fine diamonds. a pure blue white and a canary stone, both per- fectly cut and matched and set di- agonally.
 The detective returned to his questions. You were in the au- dience, of course? In a box seat?"
 "Oh, no. That would be the worst possible place to sit. always choose an aisle seat on the lower floor"
 ''Do you always attend your hus- bands recitals, Mrs. Croyden"
 "Of course. l never have missed one. Even when he goes on tour travel with him."
 (Copyrtoht. 1ss@. by Walter o. Broow)
 pufrssne. tomorrow, assaIIs liar.
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