The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-04-19
CHAPTER X-Continued
20.

mo, watt Peter cautioned. I'VE
can't afford to overlook a single bet.
Perhaps we know what the murderer
was looking for here? Didn't we come
here ourselves, In search OF some clue
that would identify the mysterious
woman In blue for usf Didn't you at
tempt to identify those keys In the
hope that, sooner or later, one Of them
might help In the Identification OF that
woman7 Bulls told US she was In
love with Franklin. He overheard
her conversation with Franklin Just
before the murder.
whats to prevent the murderer
from having the same bunch that we
had7 II 1t was that woman, say, and
she knew Franklin possessed letters,
or pictures which might identify her,
wouldn't 1t be reasonable to expect
her to make some attempt to get them7
OF course 1t would II that evidence
exists, Its destruction removes our last
hope OF solving the mystery OF Frank
Inns DEATH"
'Oh, yeah7" Kilday's smile was de-
rlsive. Il thought you were convinced
that woman couldn't have delivered
that blown
I'm coming to that" Peter hurried
on impatIently. Suppose, as we be-
lIeve, that crime was committed by a
man. That still doesn't eliminate this
woman In blue as possible motive
for the crime. She might have been
the daughter, sister or wife OF the
slayer. Wouldn't he still be interested
In removing this evidence of her Iden-
tity which might possibly Identify him
with the crime7
I'VE have peculiar case, Sergeant.
The knife with which the crime was
committed. the curtain upon which
II was wiped: the revolver bearing
the slain mans thumb-print, and pos
slbly that key-ring found In Frankln's
pocket are the only real clues we have
found. There has been an abundance
OF evidence, provided by the activities
of eight or nine persons most Of whom
had motives which might have actu.
ated the murder Theoretically, the
theory upon which we are holding
Webster Spears is sound. But since
his arrest, this apartment has been
rified and we cannot afford to overlook
the significance Of this"
Peter paused In his restless pacing
of the room to face his friend. Sup
pose you were the man who murdered
Jim Franklin. and you had committed
the crime because of this woman In
blue. What would you be doing now
What would you be thlnking7 Put
yourself In the criminals place
"Id be trying to keep from getting
caught" was the sergeants succinci
reply.
"Of course" Peter agreed 'Bui
how? Now The glanced at the con
fusion about him which marked the
apartment had been ransacked-"if
had been the murderer, would be try
Ing to remove any possible evidence
that would connect me or the woman
In blue with the crime. As for myself
I'd probably feel safe enough. Blu
that woman would worry me. Shs
loved Franklin. Probably he had let
ters, somewhere. or picture which
might ultimately reveal her dentit.
to the police And II they found her
1t would be easy to find me. because til,
girl Is some one In whom the murdere
is vitality interested-hls sweetheart
sister or wife. That's how ! wouli
be figuring Why isn't that the an
swer to the search that has been mad
of this apartments This murderer |
making his calculations In very mucl
the same way.
s'But we were here before him." tn
novelist pointed out "Of course W