The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1934-04-12

might Ue, II tSyue were Bulity. Uut NC
isn't. I'm not afraid to ask you to help
me. And need help. now, Mr.. Cardi-
gan. Rylie Is being followed BY the
police. They suspect him Of the crime,
largely because Of what have done.
Web has been arrested, and I'm afraid
that's my fault. too. You see. I'm the
one responsible for the predicament
they both are In. IF ! hadn't tried
to twist the facts around. neither OF
them would be suspected now. I'm
| sure. IT'S my fault. and I must help
them. some way. That's why I've come
to You. You must believe me, Mr..
Cardigan. And you must help me-"
I'm afraid you overrate my ability"
Peter replied. &#e- a
eff It's question of money" the
girl continued eagerly. II will pay any
fee you name. I've read Of You. Mr..
Cardigan. know you can help me
II you only will. You have solved
other mysteries where the police have
failed. Money Is no object, you I'M
derstand."
"You aren't asking me to solve the
mystery. Miss Shipley." declared Peter
soberly. you're asking me to prove
that these two young men are limo
cent"
"But If know they are innocent
she pleaded. 81
Peter braced himself against the
wistfulness Of the girls appeal.
Determining that Calls should not
fool him again, he realized grudgingly
that he hoped this time he might be-
leve her.
From the first, he had wanted to be-
lieve her. yet she had betrayed his
instructive confidence In her. not once.
but several times. Now, trapped by
these admitted discrepancies In her
previous testimony. she courted his as
sistance Probably she had sensed his
sympathy from the first and relied
upon its spell now. Was that why she
was reluctant to submit to Kilday's
questioning? He was angry. with him.
self as much as with the girl.
"What were you doing at Spears
last night?" he challenged.
II knew 1t was he who told Rylie
about that actress. That was why
Rylie was so anxious to stop the we'd
ding and I wanted to be sure Web
didn't say anything that would In.
crease the suspicion against him."
"What did Web really say when he
left the church?" Peter checked an
other discrepancy in her story.
She hesitated only for an instant.
HE said. Where's Rylie? II he were
here, there wouldn't be any wedding
You see told you the truth the first
time. but after Web and I talked 1t
over, we decided that remark was very
damaging to Rylie. We both agreed
to change 1t q little, for that reason"
"Rylie had told you that he intended
to stop that wedding, hadn't her
Peter was struggling against the grow.
Ing conviction that she was telling him
the truth now. The manner In which
she was able to warp his sympathies
to her side made him doubtful Of his
Judgment.
"Yes. But" she FASTENED eagerly 20
explain. che was trying to stop It By
informing his father about this actress.
II he had planned q murder, would he
have gone to the church. whers he
quarreled with Franklin before two
witnessesf Would he have left him
there to hurry home In search Of his
father? Those aren't the actions Of
q murderer. Mr.. Cardigan. Murderers
don't leave as plain trail a that"
SHOT usually. Not unless the muir.
o%k
else had failed"
Calls restrained q gesture Of impa-
thence. "You admit that he was trying
to stop the wedding by other means.
That's why he hurried home in search
Of his father, Mr.. Cardigan. And II
he returned to the church In time to
commit the crime. he was there in time
to see his father and stop the wedding
by more peaceable means. Even II he
had been ready to commit q crime to
stop that wedding, It wasn't necessary.
Can't you see thati All he had to do
was see his father and his purpose
would have been accomplished"
It was q telling argument. as far a
Rylie Carmody went. But 1t did not
absolve Webster Spears Of completely
In the crime.
Peter reviewed the evidence In his
mind Certainly. II Rylie had been
In search of his father. there was still
time to see him ut the church II he
had arrived In time 70 commit the
murder. But how about Webster
Spears?
Why had he. as was shown. left the
church at the last minutef Was this
girls first interest really In young
Carmody7 Was that the sole reason
for her surreptitious visit to Spears'
home the previous EVENING" Peter
hazarded Q shot In the dark.
.Where did Webster Spears 30 when
he left the church. Miss Shipleyi Why
did he leave Just when he did,"
u 81 81