The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-05-30
Chapter IS
DoYLE's CONTRIBUTION

HERE'S the queer part. The oit
 Il Man acted human for oncc- but firm. was off the case and thai was that. It's puzzle. because have good reasons for doubting tha, Dufresne would go behind my back about thing like that"
 Why shouldn't he. Doyle? Mrs Dufresne was scared half to death and it led to an injury that is very serious to any woman. and especial ly beautiful womanf.''
 Sergeant. I'm surprised! Don't you know detectives first duty is to keep his mind free from all pref udices, favorable or otherwise?" He laughed.
 Harper's face began to redden. "l don't see anything funny about a beautiful woman having her face disfigured for life." he retorted.
 ."Of course you don't. Sergeant and neither do 1. Don't misunder. stand me. In such a situation one must cultivate a philosophic attt tude. like our friend Dufresne. If that had happened to your wife. or mine. we'd have taken a poke at the chap who caused the trouble.
 But MT. Dufresne is content to sit and murmur 'C'est la main du Seig neur.' In case your French Is little rusty, that means It is the hand of God Does Dufresne's reaction seem regular and normal to you?"
 Without waiting for an answer Doyle continued. I'm all washed up with this case. but I'm going to let fly a couple of broadsides before 1 go and you'll be smart enough 10 profit by them"
 What has that to do with you. since you've been withdrawn from the case?"
 That's what I'm coming to. Lis. ten. you've talked with Dufresne about those crank letters?"
 "Yes."
 Didn't he sort of hint around the bush that the writer might turn out to be. shall we say. not a total stranger to him?"
 "Yes, he hinted something like that"
 Didn't he give you the impress sion that there was something that he feared. but wouldn't talk about? He was pretty we'll shaken up over that ambush, wasn't he?"
 "Yes. but that's only natural. No one but an idiot would make light. of it."
 Don't you think 1t odd that the first time he went out without bodyguard he was fired on? And that 1t occurred on lonely road. far from the city?"
 "No. It's not odd. if some one were waiting for just suca chance"
 That doesn't say much for the ability of Barry and Markison. who were supposed to be guarding him. I've always thought they were pretty good men,"
 "No cne is infallible. Doyle"
 -I think both Markison and Barry know their business" Doyle shrugged. But let's look at 1t from another angle. Who knew where Dufresne was going on that trip?"
 "Only himself. Mrs. Dufresne. and the two detectives. so far as we know. Possibly Andrews, the butler, knew also."
 A IL right, we'll drop that line. \ but think 1t over and see if 1t doesn't suggest something to you Now. after you ran out on us so mysteriously, got to thinking about the hints Dufresne had been hand ing out and guessed you had made the sudden dash to give the latest developments to the new widow. and. incidentally. to find out just how she had been spending the eve ming. remembered having seen her name in the society column. so looked up the notice. 1 found that Mrs. Creighton Morlock's house was only about a mile from here. so left and walked over.
 And was l surprised when gol there and found you hadn't been near the place! And let me tell you that the lady was expecting troublp She didn't give me half a chance ro tell my story. At the first words she rushed out of the house and Into car. The rest of the story you know
 Harper stirred restively "l dnn see where that alters the circpm stances"
 "Wait minute, you haven't hea all of 1t yet" Doyle's alert eyes fixed steadily on the deteetlse, through the cigarette smoke l. and by the smart detective on case is going to call in evervb concerned. one by one. and T Where were you on the nighl