The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-01
CHAPTER Xxx

4ueu kQOUXuC SOOUC A0ES0s k1o
had tried to fool Mark with . pal
pably false alibi, and then had Of.
tered . very lame explanation Of
Il. But he had photographed Lake
side Cottage and with ID the muir.
derer, about to enter Wallis room
to kill him: obviously II be were
the murderer, he could not take .
photograph Of himself. Then Why
had he tried to fabricate IN alibi?
"That's easy" Mark said prompt
" when ! propounded that ques-
ton the next morning. "When
Loren talked to me in the morning,
hs didn't know he had m alibi
in the form Of . photograph. And
did you notice, he didn't offer an
explanation Of the lie be told mo
until after ! had pointed out the
gardener in the picture?"
We were on Marks porch when
this conversation took place. He
had been bathed that morning and
his face was rosy. He looked hap
pier. more himself, than he had in
months. On other porches along
the end Of the hospital building
Ne could see other patients enjoy
ing the morning sun. which was
already hot.
thought over this explanation
for . moment and then asked tri.
umphantly, "But Il hs isn't the
murderer. Why did be want m
alibi!"
AYE. there's the rub. That's
what ~ like TO know. OF course,
hs may merely have been afraid
that he'd b involved, since he was
% near the cottage. and alone"
] sighed. Every new discovery
seemed % beget Q new possibility
and further complicate the case.
told Mark my own conclusions
about John Calvert and he grinned
spprovingly.
Excellent deduction! Between
the two Of ~. W ought to give
birth 70 enough theories 70 drive
Finn out Of his mind. Have you
given any thought to our late friend.
"Why, no." ! said. The question
startled me, for it made me- realize
how quickly Wallis personality had
passed from my mind. I'D forgot
ten oil about him - ~ . man. ]
mean"
$50 has everyone else but M"
said Mark, "and that's where every
one else is making . mistake. After
al, . murdered person can't b
ignored. He really 10 Of some i'm
portance IN the case. He must have
done something 20 someone 10 make
him . candidate for homicidal ct
tentions."
sThaoD true
1--WE been thinking Of Vail Q lot,
and I'm not at Ill satisfied with
the general estimate 81 him. Walls
ear lsadl vailis got e b some.
thing moro than . rubber-stamp
wsakling who couldn't take Il when
his wife died. Il that's al he Was,
Why should anyone want 70 kill
hint" He pounded the bed IN his
vehemsnce and then WINGED With
pain o he Jared his knees.
whats your analysis Of hint"
asked
r haven't finished It yst." Mark
answered. John Calvert says
thsy've received . message from his
sister. She's coming here, and
when I've talk With her, maybe III
have . clearer picture Of him.
Mark seized . sheet Of writing
psper from his table. found . pen
"a and said:
II want . plan Of the set Of this
melodrama. Give me Q hand, will
youl How d Lakeside Cottage laid
eut!"
Togsthsr, altar fifteen minutes.
~ evolved ground plan q the
cottage. with the name Of each oc-
cupant printed neatly b Mark IN
IL room. With vail's room DO took
mors pains, asking me 10 show him
The location Of the bed and the
vindovs and doors. pointed them
cut and DO Indicated them. remark
ing o b skstchsd In TIN private
satranee. .ons practical door. And
10 loansd beck, held his head On
oao side and contemplato0 his draw.
ine With satisfaction. Thsn 10 wsnt
. work O another. . map q The
entire senAtorium. ] showed him
II approximate location a. the cot
faeoc and other buildings, most Of
witch 10 had seen only once, On
IL Day BE was admitted, and helped
him draw IN the lake and the woods.
Hs VAS Just flnishins Il when the
sAari4 arrived 1h0 ahsri9 was