The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-07-18
g3@-o ofzeo1ele1; ;at ~-~ . ROCKING HOUSE
BY WAC1ER (. 6RoWN--

were ready kept the rendezvous in her place." he explained grimly.
 "How I ever got downtown and through the concert, don't know. / kept looking at my hands all the time to see if there was blood on them"
 Croyden drew a long breath. "As for Donaghy, he was another snake. There was no way of dealing with him except the way did. He had the nerve to repeat his terms to my face. He thought I didn't have the cour. age to shut him up. was a fool, though, to try biting my amateur skill against you professionals. may as we'll have faced 1t from the beginning"
 "It was those very touches you call amateur that were the hard est to solve." Harper replied. "l have never tackled a more compli- cated case"
 Croyden looked off into the dis. tance again. "This Is a very tame finish. Harper, but the worst is over for me. Somehow it never seemed real. It was like something in a nightmare or like rolling down a steep hill. You start easily. then you find you can't stop. but keep go ing faster and faster until you crash at the bottom. Then you wake up"
 He passed his hand wearily oveJ his forehead. q don't care what hap pens. shall admit my guilt and take what comes. My wife and under stand each other better now. but I'm afraid it's come too late to do either of us any good"
 MYTH deliberate fingers he low
 w cred the lid of the piano and closed the cover over the keyboard. He turned the lock and dropped the tiny key into the detectives palm. This will be a long farewell, l think" He looked at those strong fingers of his. "I am ready" he stated. simply.
 The maid brought Richard Croy- den's hat and coat, while Harper stood silently waiting. Together they left the house and took their way by the right-angled course that led them to the entrance of the Du fresne mansion. The police limou- sine in which the Headquarters men had arrived still waited at the curb.
 Once inside, Harper drew Croy- den into the drawing-room. Before we go in there. let me give you a word of advice. My part in this case practically ends at this point. " en you get into Court tell your whole story. freely and frankly. Don't let any quixotic idea lead you into half truths and evasions.
 And don't let any smart lawyer talk you into taking refuge in tech nicalities of the law. If 1 know any thing about juries you'll not regret 1t. My personal sympathy goes with you. 1 understand the forces that drove you on and by the real prin- ciples of justice you ought not to stand alone in the dock. Now. is there any one you want to speak to before we leavew
 Croyden shook his head. "No, thank you. Let us get out quietly. The others will learn of 1t soon enough. and hate scenes" i Aline Croyden started up when they entered the breakfast-room, and the anxious-looking Lafferty semed relieved. She needed but one glance to see what had transplred in the meeting betw cen the detective and her husband. "Richard! Rich- ard!" she sobbel, you should not have said anything. It was all my fault"
 Richard crossed to her instantly and put his arm gently around her. His eyes were alight with that love that would not perish. no matter how tried with martyrdom. Keep up your courage. Aline." he said, and stopping over. murmured private message of hope into her ear. still with his arm about her shoul- ders. lCroyden cast a quick look of appeal to Harper over the pended head. The detective drew Lafferty aside and quietly gave him instruc. tions- about their removal and the charges to be lodged against them. Lafferty listened with a matter-of. fact air that did not quite conceal his lively curiosity. but this was neither the time LOT the place for questions and explanations. Harper watched their departure from the doorway of the breakfast room. Richard Croyden and his wife walked side by side. the waicnfui Lafferty stalking at their heels. He heard the front door close. then the door of the waiting auto slammed and the motor stirred into action. After that there was silence. The curtain had been rung down on the drama.
 | r | (Copyri0ht. 19sl. by Walter c. Brown) L. Pierre Dufresne gets some
 advice tomorrow.