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

that you think had best remain I'M
known" His tone was kindly. snow
was Frankiin,s friend. too, Fletcher.
| II there Is some incident that should
remain 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
you must let as be the Judge Of that"
Fletcher shrugged. His face re
manned an impassive mask. behind
which Cardigan's keen glance failed to
penetrate. ."rm 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. ~ .z a..
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" It was Cardigan
questioning now.
"The woman?" The servant stared
blankly. what woman7 don't re-
call any woman visitor" I'd.
perhaps 1t was Choo Choo Train,"
Peter continued, ignoring the mans re-
ply. "She came here often. didn't
sheT
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
q while"
Kilday snorted. Every once in .
while! Why she was here nearly
every day. wasn't she?" ,..... s..
mo. sir" The man glanced first at
the detective. then at Cardigan, I'M
certainly. "That is the TRUTH" he vol
unteered "Of course I know you
| gentlemen are aware of Mr.. Frank
Inns ah-" re CROPPED for word
"ah-connection, with the actress. but
just the same, she did not come here
as often as you might expect. They
maintained separate apartments, and
believe Mr.. Franklin visited her
there"
did she have a key to this placer
Peter asked next.
The man nodded.
Then perhaps she could have come
here yesterday, or the day before,
without your knowledge"
Possibly Fletcher shrugged. "But
j 1t doesn't sound plausible, sir. I was
here all the time. think should
have known 1t, If she had been here"
| Peter sat astride Of chair, facing
the man. His lean brown fingers
drummed tattoo against his knee. In
time to his racing thoughts. For the
moment he seemed to have forgotten
the man he was questioning. "Who
i else had key to this place, Fletcher
i he demanded.
i I'll beg your pardon. sirf" The
i question evidently had caught the SER
want off balance. He wiped the palms
! of his hands with his handkerchief,
/ folding the linen carefully before re-
i turning 1t to his pocket. But he had
heard the question, clearly enough, for
after q long interval Of hesitation, he
answered. ''If there are any other :
1 keys, sir, don't know who has them"
There have been q number Of other
women In Franklin's life." Peter con-
tinued evenly. "A great many, before
/ Choo Choo, and probably some since.
i How long has It been since one Of
these women visited your master here,
/ Fletcher
81 think" the servant replied slowly,
"that Mr.. Franklin was very much in
love with Miss Train, sir. don't be-
lieve there have been any other women
he has cared for, recently, except"
he added alphabetically. Miss Car
mody. Of course"
The novelist puffed thoughtfully on
his cigarette and studied the man be-
fore him through the pale cloud Of ex-
PEELED smoke you're very careful
how you word It. Fletcher" he OBJ
served. 81 notice you say nothing
about any women who may have been
In love with Mr.. Franklin, regardless
Of how he felt in the matter. It isn't
always easy to break of love affair
with q woman, even for q person Of
Jim Franklin's accomplishments along
that line Perhaps there has been .
woman answering this description who
has called here recently"
/ "Not-not that can recall. Mr..
Cardigan"
'How about phone calls7 Has any
woman been calling here repeatedly.
In the past few days?"
i 'There have been many calls, Of
course" Fletcher faltered. 'But
couldn't tell you who they were from.
Miss Train, yes, and Miss Carmody.
If there have been others, couldn't
say who they were"
'sBut there were others?"
i "Possibly. really couldn't answer
yes or no." The mans manner had
grown less reluctant now.
"Have you ever seen this before,
Fletcher" In his palm Cardigan sx-