The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-03-15

mo, sir, that isn't right" Fletcher
sidestepped the trap. 'Mr. Royce
came, after lunch, and accompanied
Mr.. Franklin to the church. Mr.. Bulls
telephoned, repeatedly. but he never
came here. The young Mr.. Carmody
was the other caller. You misunder-
stood me. sir. about that"
Peter nodded. "My mistake, Fletch-
er. So Mr.. Royce and Mr. Carmody
were the only visitors yesterday. Think
carefully. must be sure
I'm quite sure that Is correct, sir.
If there had been any other visitors.
I should have known 1t. was here
all the time"
The novelist was apparently en-
crossed In the lighting OF a cigarette,
but his eyes never wavered from the
mans face "How about the day be
fore7" he shot at him suddenly. DO
you recall what visitors Franklin had
that day7"
The man hesltated. "There have
been SO many things happening. Mr..
| Cardigan. don't recall anything I'M
usual about that day. II that's what
you mean.'
but there was nothing unusual
about visitors calling here to see Mr..
| Franklin, was there7"
"Oh. no, sir. But unless there were
something unusual about 1t, couldn't
say exactly who called on any certain
| day."
Come, come. Fletcher" Kilday In
terrupted impatlently. 4That's only
two days ago. You wouldn't have to
have the memory OF an elephant to
remember that"
mo, sir. OF course not" But still
the servant faltered.
"Then what are you trying to hide7"
demanded the detective bruskly.
I'm not trying to hide anything
sir have done nothing"
Peter interrupted him. Perhaps
It's nothing that you have done. but
something concerning Mr.. Franklin,
that you think had best remain un-
known" His tone was kindly. Nov
i was Frankln's friend too. Fletcher.
II there Is some incident that should
remain a secret. can promise you
that neither OF us is anxious to make
1t known. provided, OF course, that 1t
has nothing to do with his death. But
| Lot ho fho Ind nf huf -
Fletcher shrugged. His face re-
mained an impassive mask. behind
which Cardigan's keen glance failed to
penetrate. I'm sorry, you misunder-
stood me. sir. There's nothing to CON
ceal. It's only that don't recall just
who came here that day."
"Was Bulls here7" Kilday de.
manded.
mo, sir. I'm sure OF that. I've
never seen Mr.. Bulls. although I've
often talked to him. on the phone"
"Who was the woman here that
day. Fletcher" 1t was Cardigan
questioning now.
1.-THE woman?" The servant stared
blankly. What womani don't re-
call any woman visitor"
Perhaps II was Choo Choo Train. =
Peter continued. ignoring the mans re-
ply. "She came here often. didn't
she?"
Fletcher hesitated apparently search
Ing his mind. II can't be sure" he
said. "She may have been here that
day. She did come here every once In
a while"
Klday snorted. Every once In 9
while! Why she was here nearly
every day, wasn't she?'
mo. sir" The man glanced first al
the detective, then at Cardigan, IN
certainly. THAT Is the truth" he vol
unteered. ''Of course ! know vol
gentlemen are aware Of Mr.. Frank
Inns ali" he CROPPED for word
"ah-connection, with the actress, bu
just the same, she did not come here
as often as you might expect. The,
maintained separate apartments, ant
I believe Mr.. Franklin visited hel
. there"
did she have key to this placer
Peter asked next
The man nodded.
Then perhaps she could have com,
here yesterday, or the day before
! without your knowledge"
Possibly" Fletcher shrugged "Bu
II doesn't sound plausible, sir. | wa!
here all the time. think shonlt
have known 1t, If she had been here.
Peter sat astride OF a chair, facIn,
the man. His lean brown finger
drummed tattoo against his knee. II
time to his racing thoughts. For th'
J moment he seemed to have forgotten
the man he was questioning. "Wh'
: else had key to this place, Fletcher?
he demanded.
IL beg your pardon. sir?' TIL
question evidently had caught the ser
.. want Off balance. He wiped the palm
Of his hands with his handkerchief
folding the linen carefully before re
turning 1t to his pocket. But he ha'