The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-06-07
-gga@--o o7z.4a1le1 at E H ROCKING HOUSE BY WATER (. sRoWN-
BY WALTER (. BROWN

q got your message, Sergeant" Quigley explained. Whats on your | mind?" There are plenty of puzzling fea- lures, Captain. But what I wanted was to ask some questions about Officer Hamill. First, what was his rating on marksmanship" First class" Quigley answered promptly. "HamilPs had a sharp shooters citation for years"
 As Harper remained silent, the Captain of the Fourteenth went on, "I see what's in your mind, Harper, but even rotten shot could pop hisI man over at that distance"
 There's much more to 1t than that,' the Sergeant answered. What about HamillI personally? Was he nervous hasty, quick to use his gum"
 No, no, nothing like that. Just the opposite. Hamill was a quiet, cool chap, very sure of himself. His theory was that guns should be used only as last resort"
 Tell me this, Captain. Did Hamill know MT. Dufresne by sight? Did he know that the Dufresne house was untenanted at this timer"
 Your first question I can't answer definitely, but don't believe he did. I've been attached to the Fourteenth for eight years and I never met him. The answer to your second question is Yes Last June 21st a notice was filed with us that the Dufresne fam lily was leaving for the summer. This notice was given by a John Whit more. Know him?"
 Harper nodded. Hes one of the servants here"
 Have you any record of an auto mobile found abandoned in this dis trict? Were any cars tagged last night for illegal or overnight park ing?'
 .Quigley looked surprised. "Not one, Harper. Nobody with any sense would have left car out in that storm"
 aa Well, I appreciate your help, Captain. I've got much clearer pie ture of Hamill, at any rate. sT'HE commander of the Fourteenth ! Precinct took his leave and Har- per rose from the table. "I guess it's time we twisted the lions tail," he remarked. Well get MT. Dufresne's personal opinion on guns that disap- pear into thin air" The detective, howev yer, was spared the trouble of sending for the master of the house for at that moment Pierre Dufresne himself walked into the breakfast-room. . Good morning, MT. Dufresne," Harper greeted him. This is my col league, Detective Lafferty. You prob ably saw him around here last night.y .a
 "Yes, and this morning, too-ex- ploring my wardrobe How are things going, Sergeant?'
 "Oh, as well as can be expected" Harper replied casually. There is so much routine in case like this. By the way, MT. Dufresne, I must list thei firearms on the premises. Can you give me list?"
 Firearms, Harper? We'll, taking myself first-I have gun, of course, and a police permit to carry it, al- though I have never availed myself of the privilege. Do you require de- tails, Harper?"
 eff you please"
 "ThSpgun is an automatic action, caliber .3S, believe, though I am not sure. It is so long since I han dled it. It has never been fired, I'm glad to say"
 And where is it now?"
 "At the Austerlitz."
 Harper was making notations of these replies. Do you not keep gun here in this house?" He kept his voice as casual as possible.
 "Certainly-the automatic. keep it wherever I am staying, but I do not carry it about with me-"
 My chauffeur, Donaghy," he con tinued, Carries a gun whenever he is on duty"
 Quite so, MT. Dufresne. You did not have your gun with you yester- day afternoon when you were am- bushed?"
 "No. As said, pever carry it. It is too awkward, too bulky. I would feel ridiculous with one bulging out my pocket"
 The detective grinned. Are there any more guns in the house?"
 Not of my knowledge nor my con- sent"
 That settles that, then" Harper pronounced, treasuring the inner meaning of his words.
 Dufresne's glance played over the miscellaneous jects scattered acroxs the detectives workable. Now that the thing is over, don't mind admitting that I was fright ened by those threats and after that