Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1934-01-31

AOl " AAN N~AA0
The politician eased himself int
a chair which creaked under hi
weight. "Oh, your nan didn't inl
my fingers. But he was very anxious
that | take a cigarette from one o
those polished cases OF yours. Tv'
heard Of them before" He studied
the detective thoughtfully. Il dom
smoke cigarettes, Sergeant" he add
ed. AS though to emphasize his
point be bit the end from a fat blacl
cigar.
Il wouldn't be surprised but what
I'd left several finger prints in the
study of that church. Sergeant
Bulls went on evenly. His palt
eyes had come TO 8 focus on Kllday
but there was no way of reading
the expression behind that gaze
1T would be odd If | hadn't. was
there, you know. | don't make any
bones about that"
Again he paused. He gave the i'm.
preston OF choosing each word de
~liberately. Peter found himself
weighing them for any hidden sig.
~nificance not at first apparent, but
could find lone. Evidently 1t was
only the mans manner
Its funny" Bulls rumbled on,
we've both been around this town
a long time, but we'd never met be
fore. OF course, | had heard about
you, Sergeant, from time to time
The sergeant smiled. I'D heard
a great deal about you, too. Mr..
Bulls"
The politician nodded. Il guess
you have" he said. Most people
do. And you'll hear more of me.
l intend to hang around a good while
longer"
1t sounded like a challenge. Peter
saw the sergeant stiffen.
Now about those fnger-prints,"
Bulls voice had again lapsed into
a monotone. You know | was there.
What do you expect them to
proven
Possibly nothing" Kilday de-
clared. ITS a means OF identifying
every one there. Often finger-prints
provide us with a leans of elimina-
ton. BY identifying those persons
we know to be innocent, we have
left only those of the person who Is
guilty. The simple fact that there
are inger-prints of an individual In
that doesn't convict that per-
SON." The officer faced the pollti-
clan squarely. mot that I'm max
ing any promises. you understand"
Bulls nodded silently.
above those finger-prints," the
detective continued. you say my
man didn't get them?"
II don't smoke cigarettes" Bulls
repeated.
The sergeant extracted a cigarette
case from a drawer Of his desk. LAS
I've explained, it's largely a matter
Of form. but I'll need samples of
yours, Mr.. Bulls"
The politician made no move to
take the case. Il don't like finger
prints" he said. They're too
permanent. I've already told you
was there"
did you have a revolver. Mr..
Bullis!"
The politicians eyes betrayed a
flicker of interest. "No."
Did you see a revolver In that
study, or handle one?"
mo"
"Well, | have to identify a thumb
print on q revolver. You've nothing
to worry about, apparently. Be
Sides" he added smilingly, this
isn't a permanent record. These
specimens can be destroyed, after
we compare them"
Bulls still hesitated, then, taking
the cigarette case, he pressed his
fingers against 1t deliberately. "I'll
depend on you, Sergeant" he said.
IN confess | don't like the idea"
That was all. With only a nod
to Peter, he numbered from the
room.
The sergeant pulled meditatively
after Bulls departure. What do
you suppose was on his mind7
There's something worrying him,
Peter. He didn't seem worried
when | mentioned the revolver. He
knows we couldn't have anything
else on him, but he's bothered. Can
you figure 1t out?"
ut may be just as he says" the
novelist pointed out, "a natural
aversion to being inger-printed.
Remember, II you can judge the
man by his reputation, he's had q
great deal to do with the under
world. That would explain such
an aversion"
With the aid Of Kilday's polished
cigarette cases, the fin~ger-prints OF
rs IN THE STORY