The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1934-04-05

Fletcher had anything to do with
Franklin's murder. After all. he's
only a servant. Where would the mo-
tive be?"
81 couldn't see q motive for Web
ster Spears at first," declared the SER
geant. Then he shook his shoulders
YEARLY. "This case Is giving me the
willies," he complained. I'll be sus-
pecting you, next. Well. what do you
think now? There were no new leads
there, and I've got to zee the district
attorney right after lunch. II don't
have something. It'll be just too bad"
"And yet" the novelist answered
slowly. I'VE know that the murderer
carried Franklin's revolver to the
church yesterday afternoon. That L.
certain. The simplest sort Of logic
convinces us that It must have been
one Of his intimate friends. No one
else could have had access to IL. The
gun must have been taken within the
past few days-preferably yesterday.
If the crime had been planned far In
advance, I find 1t hard to believe that
the murderer would have chosen the
church as the scene for his crime. II
seems clear that no one could have
taken It without Fletcher's knowledge.
and we find him reluctant to talk. He
had no motive. SO II must have been
some one for whom he has feeling Of
sympathy or regard--some one he is
willing to take some risk to shield.
Who could that be-"
Another woman, eh?" Kilday paused
on the steps. "A former mistress, that
the servant liked better than he did
Choo Choo." a,---v-.:. =. 49,.
"That sounds reasonable" Peter
agreed. "Or else It was new
mistress. Franklin never had the rep
utation of being exceptionally constant
in his loves" ---:- FL g.. g..
sGetting back to your woman In
blue" muttered the sergeant between
drafts on his stogy. They had halted
on the front steps Of the apartment.
Everything leads back to her. But
then, what about young Spearsf What
do you think Of my theory concern
Ing him now?"
Its your question, you answer It,
Peter declared YEARLY. @Tll admit
you've built up very convincing case
against him. 1t has just one flaw.
What could he have been doing with
Jim Franklin's revolveri They weren't
intimate friends. How could he have
obtained possession Of IT."
sThat isn't SO hard as you seem to
think. Calls Shipley probably OBJ
tained II and passed II on to him.
agree with you on one point I don't
think the blow that killed Franklin
could have been delivered by woman.
But that doesn't let this girl out-aor
tho woman In blue. either. II they were
two different persons. II we can only
prove this girl passed that gun on to
Spears. wen have case pinned On
him that will convince any jury.
e "But the only man who can help "a
ind her II Fletcher, and he won't
talk" added the sergeant grimly.
'There's one other chance" Cardi-
gan disagreed with him. "Ths fellow
was positive he'd never seen the no
volver before. II he was telling rs
the truth, perhaps Franklin kept 1t ut
his office. Let's 60 and see."
Milo Dunbar admitted them to his
private Office without delay. 81 hope
you gentlemen have some progress to
report" he began, after seating them.
According to the papers, It's begin
ming to look like political crime. II
Jim was killed over this magistrate In
vestigation. then the governor"
'.He wasn't" Sergeant Kilday inter
rupted him bluntly. II don't think
Dan Bulls had anything to do with II.
except, possibly, to shield the woman
In the case. He probably has to do
that, because that woman overheard
his conversation with Franklin. II he
Identifies her, she can tell what she
knows, and It's probably plenty. But
we think maybe we can nnd the wom-
an without any help from Bulls"
"Good. AS I told you yesterday, II
there's any way can help you"
"There Is, Mr.. Dunbar. We want
you to identify the revolver that Mr..
Franklin kept In his desk drawer"
Milo Dunbar took the weapon Kill
day extended, and examined It care
fully. 4I'm afraid can't be Of much
help on that score, Sergeant. I didn't
even know Jim had q gun"
HE bought that two years ago"
Kilday pointed to the serial number
stamped on the weapon. ave keep
the registration Of all guns sold.
There can't be any doubt about that
being his. We're anxious to find where
he kept It."
.Of course" Dunbar agreed, "Jim
could have kept a dozen guns In his
Office without my knowledge. Perhaps
his secretary could help US. I'll see"
Before he could touch the button on
his desk, Peter interrupted him. "Not
yet" he cautioned. Il want to know