The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-05-25
Chapter IA HAND OF GOD.

pane or glaSS, put l have feeling there's a nigger somewher, in the woodpile," Harper went on What induced Hamill to walk fl here and deliberately shoot down !; man seated at a table, smoking ; 1. cigarette? Why should the mat shoot policeman? Why was tha man masquerading as Dufresne. the owner of the house? Look here."
 Harper lifted the mans left hand The first and second fingers haC been scared by the burned out ciga rette. This fellow recently wore g ring-very recently There's the mark around his third finger. If you will look closely at the knuckle joint you will see where it was forced off. But where IS the ring?
 There was no watch. no wallet no papers, no cards nothing that you would expect to find in a man S pockets, except handkerchief and some loose change. When he broke into this house he completely dis. carded his identity.
 Look at these. There are no oc. cupational calluses or stains. These are not hands used to manual labor, nor are they quite the hands of a gentleman of leisure" He turned them over. Look at the fingernais. Cut blunt. Clean. but not cared for otherwise"
 Harper snapped wide the nose. glasses and let them drop on their cord. These glasses are not his. either. Look at the red marks in dented on the sides of his nose, made by the pincers. He certainly was not accustomed to them.
 Formal clothes, but his shoes, while of good quality have been re. soled. We haven't even found his hat and coat. Oh, there are lot of questions here that need answer. ing"
 Dr. Miller shook his head. "rve told you all l can and ] doubt that the autopsy will add much to that knowledge.
 The front door opened and there was an influx of the belated party from the Austerlitz. Harper dropped the telephone and went forward to greet them.
 Evidently Markison had put into practice Harper's orders to use heroic methods ' to get Dufreshe back on his feet. He was bundled to the ears against the cold and storm. and. still little unsteady on his feet. leaned on supporting arm held ont by the lean and glumlooking An drews. Markison and the second des tective were just behind them and moment later an alert. handsome young fellow in chauffeur's uni form entered briskly. This was Jo i. seph Donaghy. MT, Dufresne's chauf. feur.
 A A T THE same moment pr. Ulrich appeared On the stairs. rolling down his shirt sleeves and fastening the cuff links as he descended. "Hel. To. Pierre" he exclaimed cordiallys advancing to shake hands.
 "Why. Doctor. what on earth are you doing here?" Dufresne asked, extremely puzzled.
 Dr. Ulrich shot a questioning glance at the detective. but before he could answer Harper cut ins There has been very regrettab!e accident. MT. Dufresne. When we first discovered the bodies, one of the reporters assumed from the dis. guise the man was wearing that it was you and told Mrs. Dufresne. Of course she came over immediately She tainted. and in falling struck. her face against the edge of the table,"
 My wife-here" Dufresne posi- lively stuttered. He looked around at the circle of faces as if be could not digest the meaning of the word S Harper had just uttered. His eyes fastened on Dr. Ulrich's. Sylvia scarred-for life" he mumbled.
 pr. Ulrich took him by the arm. Pull yourself together, Pierre" he commanded. There's at least an even chance that it will heal without a scar"
 "C'est la main du Seigneur!" Du. fresne stumbled forward and sank down on the lounge
 What did you say?" Harper asked.
 Dufresne looked up. Pardon me. am upset. Where is she now? must see. at once."
 Certainly. certainly, Pierre" pr. Ulrich said soothingly. but a little later. if you please. You will only be. in the way if you go now" "