The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-04-05
CHAPTER VIII-Continued


That's why denied what Web had
said at the church. That looked dam
aging for Rylie, too. Oh. I've been
very foolish. I can see that now, But
was only trying to help Rylie."
Perhaps" suggested Peter. wed
better go down to headquarters. XII
day Will want to hear your story"
Calls shrugged hopelessly. what
would be the use? lie won't believe
anything say. now. no matter how
true II Is
And you think | might?'
II had hoped you would" simply.
Sergeant Kilday terrifies me- He's
q man-hunter. To him, this Is just an
other murder Some one must pay,
even" she hesitated. "even If 1t Is
Rylie."
I'm not afraid to tell you the truth.
might be, II Rylie were guilty. but he
isn't. I'm not afraid to ask you to help
me. And need help. now, Mr.. CardI-
gan. Rylle is being followed by the
police. They suspect him of the crime,
largely because OF what / have done.
Web has been arrested. and I'm afraid
that's my fault. too. You see, I'm the
one responsible for the predicament
they both are In. r. | hadn't tried
to twist the facts around, neither of
them would be suspected now, I'm
sure. It's my fault. and must help
them. some way. That's why I've come
to you. You must believe me, Mr..
Cardigan. And you must help me-"
I'm afraid you overrate my ability
Peter replied.
If It's a question of money" the
girl continued eagerly. II will pay any
fee you name. I've read OF you, Mr..
Cardigan. know you can help me
II you only will. You have solved
other mysteries where the police have
failed Money is no object, you I'M
derstand"
'You aren't asking me to solve the
mystery. Miss ShIpley." declared Peter
soberly. You're asking me to prove
that these two young men are limo
cent"
but II know they are innocent
she pleaded.
Peter braced himself against the
wistfulness OF the girls appeal.
Determining that Calls should not
fool him again, he realized grudgIngly
that he hoped this time he might be-
iieve her.
From the first, he had wanted to be-
lieve her. yet she had betrayed his
instructive confidence In her, not once,
but several times, Now, trapped by
these admitted discrepancies In her
previous testimony. she courted his as
sistance Probably she had sensed his
sympathy from the first and relied
upon Its spell now. Was that why she
was reluctant to submit to Kilday's
questioning? He was angry. with him
self AS much as with the girl.
What were you doing at Spears
last nlght?' he challenged.
II knew 1t was he who told Rylie
about that actress. That was why
Rylle was so anxious to stop the wed
ding and | wanted to be sure Web
didn't say anything that would In.
crease the suspicion against him."
what did Web really say when he
left the church," Peter checked an
other discrepancy In her story.
She hesitated only for an instant.
"He said, Where's Rylie? re he were
here, there wouldn't be any wedding.
You see | told you the truth the first
time, but after Web and | talked II
over, we decided that remark was very
damaging to Rylie. We both agreed
to change 1t a little. for that reason"
"Rylle had told you that he intended
to stop that wedding. hadn't he?"
Peter was struggling against the grow
Ing conviction that she was telling him
the truth now. The manner In which
she was able to warp his sympathIes
to her side made him doubtful of his
judgment.
Eyes. But" she fastened eagerly to
explain, 'he was trying to stop 1t by
his father about this actress.
III he had planned murder. would he
have gone to tho church. where he
quarreled with Franklin before two
Would he have left him
there to hurry home In search OF his
father? Those aren't the actions OF
a murderer, Mr.. Cardigan. Murderers
don't leave as plain trail as that"
mot usually. Not unless the muir
der was last resort, after everything
else had failed"
Calls restrained a gesture Of Impa-
thence. you admit that he was trying