The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-01-19
CHAPTER XIII
Ry the Air Route


Taken unawares by the revelation.
Tommy Rankin had to summon every
bit of self-control to conceal his aston
ishment from Doctor Prince. Never
before, in his career as detective.
had he encountered the equal of this
brilliantly plotted and cleverly ex.
ecuted conspiracy. Acquainted finally
with every detail its qualifications
were far more complicated than he
had ever imagined; the identity of the
criminal so unexpected as to be incon.
ceiyable. he could only gasp In ad.
miration at the skill and subtlety with
which he had been deceived and baf
fled. the ingenuity that blinded him TO
the correct solution. So daring was
the plot that II was strange the shock
Of his knowledge did not betray him
into exclaiming aloud. But with an
effort he subdued every natural reac
ton; and the physician was too en-
crossed by his own wrath to have no
ticed his first start of comprehension
But his quarry was fully thousand
miles away In Philadelphia at that mo-
ment. And so was the conclusive evil
dence of guilt, supplementing that on
Doctor Princes desk, without which
he was helpless to act Remembering
that brought another and suddenly
alarming responsive chord to the de-
tective's memory. II was based wholly
on his estimation of the murderer's
cleverness; yet, with a conviction ap-
preaching certainty. he realized that If
he failed to obtain that evidence be
fore noon of that day. he could never
prove the entire conspiracy. He had
only the few hours until morning to
save 1t, before IL would be destroyed
Perhaps it was already destroyed; the
possibility that his discovery occurred
too late to prevent that loss gave him
a dreadful qualm. And unless he had
arrested the murderer within the same
time, as well, both the conspirators
might escape him altogether and his
case end in failure. Already his
watch, ticking off precious moments.
pointed past midnight
II was imperative that he act
promptly and move as quickly as he
could. Accordingly, he met Doctor
Princes outburst quietly. dropping his
earlier aggressiveness.
II didn't intend, Doctor Prince" he
said almost alphabetically. Ito inter
fere with any Of your legal rights. Ny
only wish Is to get at the bottom of
young Jordan's death; and l was al
most positive that If you would speak
frankly, You had some Information
that would be valuable to me-"
At his retraction, the doctors own
turbulence lessened and his tone grew
more restrained
well haven't. Rankin. The fact
that Laura and were once
friendly has nothing to do with it. And
since we separated almost year ago.
| haven't the least idea what has hap
pened between her and the boy"
Rankin shrugged as he rose to his
feet. Perhaps was mistaken" he
admitted placatingly. For the mo.
ment, shall have to take your word
for it. And as 1t is Sc late, had bet
ter go. But warn you, Doctor Prince,
if find any fresh cause for suspicion,
l shall return for an explanation"
you'll just be wasting your time"
Doctor Prince returned. "It's no good
your trying to bluff me into admitting
another thing. have nothing to hide.
and have told you all / know"
Still apologize, the detective per-
mitted himself to be ushered out of the
Office and the physicians residence.
But once the door closed behind him.