The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-05-26

you. Will 1t be made worth while for me to forget?"
 And more than one pair of ears was aware of the importance of both messages!
 The following day, Wednesday. January 11th. dawned clear and cold. The heavy fall of snow had tapered off about midnight and there had been very little wind to disturb 1t afterward.
 Harper, arriving for duty at Du- fresne's house shortly after eight o'clock, noted with satisfaction the undisturbed condition of the white blanket surrounding the house. A caprice of Nature had contrived this smooth carpet 10 record a portion of the previous nights fantastic story and the detective proposed to make good use of it.
 Harper found Mrs. Richard Croy- den in the hall, deep in consultation with the black-browed housekeeper. Mrs. Martha Whitmore. Despite the late hour at which she had retired. Aline Croyden was serene and clear eyed, and without trace of fatigue. She wore tailored morning dress and its sheer simplicity of line en- hanced her air of youthful charm.
 Good morning. Mrs. Croyden." Harper greeted her. and nodded pleasantly to the housekeeper. Mrs. Whitmore returned a grudg- ing nod and retreated to her domain in the rear of the house. Good morn- ing. MT. Harper" Aline responded. with cordial smile. "Or should 1 say Sergeant Harper?" | The detective smiled with her. Not unless you prefer 1t. There is a theory that the best way to address Sergeant of Police is to call him Captain he hantered, meeting her pleasant mood.
 That's a clever idea. l shall call you MT. Harper and reserve the Captain in case l should need 1t later" she said. teasingly. You know. have been quite surprised at your assistants. had the idea that detectives were heavy.set men with clipped moustaches. that they al- ways chewed on unlighted cigars and wore derby hats which they never removed. except possibly to sleep. Or do detectives ever sleepT "Somtimes for weeks at stretch" Harper assured her with mock so- lemnity. but when big case comes along we have to get our sleep when. and if. we can find it." MRS. CROYDEN dropped her tone " of light raillery But am keep ing you from your work. fear the others will not be down for some time yet. It was so late when we re- tired. My sister asked me to take charge of the household arrange ments until she is able to be around again."
 "She asked your" Harper caught her up quickly. "Dr. Ulrich told me that Mrs. Dufresne was not to talk for several days"
 Aline nodded. "Of course, MT. Harper. l used talk in figurative sense. My sister has already ar. ranged a system of communication. Whenever she has question or a message she writes it down on pad. It works out quite easily"
 By the way. how is Mrs. Dufresne this morningr
 Poor girl. she's naturally greatly worried over the possibility of a scar. and then these tragic happen. ings are keeping her on edge" Sergeant Harper and Mrs. Croy- den entered the breakfast-room. AL though the victims had long since been removed. the room retained a tragic and depressing aura that not even the bright morning light could dissipate.
 There were those dark stains on the rug. for instance, and the un- known dead mans clothing piled on a chair. complete from the shoes to 1 the beribboned nose-glasses. But the Emost characteristic seal of the po- lice visitation were the numerous patches of dusting powders that had been sprayed Bere and there in the search for fingerprints.
 You certainly leave nothing to chance" Mrs. Croyden observed. This morning saw there was a po- liceman guarding MT. Dufresne's room. Isn't that a rather unusual procedure. MT. Harper? Surely, last nights events put an end to the dan ger?"
 The detective shook his head. "This Is an unusual case Mrs. Croy. den, We do not actually know that the man found in this room is the man who threatened MT. Dufresne and attempted to kill him." But surely you have a theory? thought the matter was quite clear" fCopvrtoht IssI, bp Walter o. Bro,omJ
 Monday, Harper plunges into | fha y,,ovo