The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-07-09

per, but you make the other poor beggars conscious of their tatters.
 That public loss of dignity can
 never be repaired. Affairs in this
 social world move in a complicated rhythm on their own. The unfortu-
 nate death of two strangers in this house threatens to visit injustices on those who had nothing to do with the case"
 "It's not so easy to say just who those may be-" was Harper's dry comment.
 Don't let gossip run away with your good judgment" Croyden re- piled quickly. "If you take that line. you'll find us all in your net, accus- ing and accused. No doubt you've heard that Dufresne and 1 were rivals once and not very friendly ones. either. You could make some interesting deductions from that"
 Harper was silent, puzzled by some repressed force underlying the words. Croyden paused to light fresh cigarette. That's the root of plenty of trouble, Harper. when women can take over the dominat- ing role. Take my wife. for example. l love her dearly, but she has alI ways had more money than 1 can ever hope to earn. Besides. what chance has the masculine ego with girl who can outdistance you at any sport you name-swimming, golf. riding. bridge? There is only one field left in which can exercise my masculine conceit and that is this" resting his fingers on the keyboard.
 The detective was at loss to ac- count for this deliberate exposure of Richard Croydens. Croyden remarked
 II after a short silence. would 1t ease your mind if you knew that Officer Hamill's family would be provided for? Don't misunderstood me" he added quickly. seeing the le- tective's look. this is not in any sense a bribe. The fact is the man was killed in this house. presumably in defense of the property and if 1 offer aid to the family. my motives will be less open to misinterpreta- Lion."
 "Mr. Dufresne has already made such an offer" the detective replied. T understand your motive. MT. Croyden. I'm sorry can't separate the wheat from the chaff. I'll make no secret of the fact that certain recent developments have touched Mrs. Dufresne. By refusing to de- lend herself against very damaging evidence. she has forced me to place Ter under virtual arrest.
 And now 1 have some equally serious matters to put before an- other member # this. household. If he same attitude is adopted. the will be unfortunate"
 Richard Croyden leaped from the bench. "Sylvia?" he cried. aghast. Good God. No! Harper. no! You've ,ot it all wrong. Let me talk to her!"
 Sorry. but I'll have to ask you to lefer that until later. The nurse las orders to admit no one"
 Croyden sat down again, shaken. The hand that held his cigarette rembled. His face was the prey of emotions that choked his ongue and in the stunned silence Iarper left the room.
 The detective returned the slip ,ers to the breakfastroom and rang or Andrews. When the butler came le inquired as to the whereabouts if the master of the house.
 MT. Dufresne is having his coffee n the library. upstairs, sir"
 Thank you. Andrews"
  he room and went up the stairs. )ufresne's voice bade him enter and he was surprised to see Sergeant Iarper he gave no sign of 1t.
 "Oh. it's you, Harper. Make your elf comfortable. You're too late for offee, but can offer you a spot of his." He reached down to the lower helf of the serving table and up a square black decanter md two small glasses. The detec- i've saw similar glass with the cof. ee service.
 "What is 1t = brandy?" he in- Iuired.
 Dufresne cooked jocular eye at jim. "Never ask that question. Har- ,er, it's damned bad manners"
 He splasEed white liqueur into he glasses to the very brim. Coin reau," he explained solemnIy. Cointreau. my boy. is like the flaw ess blue-white diamond = Nature an do no more." He li'ted the glass. Your health!"
 The pontifcal tone. the gleaming ye. the dull flush. were not over- ooked by the detective. Dufresne lad been drinking agair Harper re- nembered his steady application to he brandy bottle the night before. copyright. 1ss1. by Walter c. Bro,omJ
 Tomorrow, Harper JoIts Pierre
 Dufrssne out of his calm.