The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1934-03-15

Because who ever called Choo Choo
was the murderer. II that was Fletch-
err, ne wouldn't have given her his
name.
"Third, Ambrose Carmody." Kilday
turned down another finger. 1He was
dragged into It by that anonymous
telephone call Very similar to the
trick employed to bring Choo Choo to
the church. Strike him off,
Fourth. Rylie Carmody. He was
drawn into it by the story told him by
Webster Spears and now we're getting
hot"
"Hold Oh" Peter objected. "If you
follow this method through. you'll
eliminate every one, won't your?
The sergeant, enthused over his idea,
shook his head smilingly. mot so you
can notice it." he retorted. Don't
overlook this fact. We don't know
who called Choo Choo. We aren't GER
tain who phoned Ambrose Carmody.
But we do know who told Rylie. It
was Webster Spears. And If Spears
involved one of them. what's to pre-
vent him from being the one who In
volved the others?'
"Only one thing" the novelist re-
piled soberly. .'If he was clever
enough to draw these others into the
case without revealing his identity. why
did he tell Rylie Carmody personally?
Why didn't he telephone him, or write
him an anonymous letter? If he took
these other precautions to remain con-
cealed, how did he happen to slip up
here?"
But Kilday had an answer ready,
partly born of his enthusiasm for the
new theory. partly Matched from the
relentless logic Of his own experience.
"They all slip up, sooner or later. I've
never known It to fail. There aren't
any perfect crimes. This is the flaw
In this one. It only required little
reasoning to discover It,"
SLOW about the others?" Peter was
still reluctant. SLOW do you explain
the presence Of the woman in blue?
What was Calls Shipley doing back
there?'
1.-THE woman In blue could have
been drawn into 1t just as Choo Choo
Train was. Spears only needed to
know another woman with whom
Franklin had had an affair to add a
new note of mystery to the case which
would keep US puzzled and throw US
OF the track of the real criminal. Az
for the Shipley girl, don't know
yet But I will, before long. I've sent
for her. She lied to us about Rylie
taking her home. Either she lied to
us about Spears remark in the church,
or else Spears lied. Personally,
don't think Spears would have made
such remark, which obviously would
draw suspicion to himself, later. Not
II he had already planned murder
and arranged all this false evidence
to throw us of the track. This girl II
going to have to explain to me how
she knew there had been q murder,
too. and what she was doing at Web
ster Spears house last night. don't
know how she fits into this case, but
she fits. somewhere. TIL soon know
where"
Reluctantly, Peter realized that his
friend was only giving expression to
the misgivings that had been troubling
him concerning this girl Only he had
not before thought Of her as an ac-
complete Of Webster Spears. He had
associated her with Rylie Carmody,
for whom she had seemed chiefly con-
cerned. And he had preferred to ex-
plain her evasions as her anxious ef-
fort to extricate Rylie from the evil
dence which seemed to be entangling
him. In that light, he had been able
to find an explanation for the fact
that she had lied to him. It offered
possible explanation for her visit to
Webster Spears the previous evening
Ia visit which the latter had de-
MED. For, in spite of himself, he had
been stirred by the girls defense Of
young Carmody during that interview
with her. Her courage had quickened
his sympathies. He thought again of
the manner in which she had appealed
to him. He recalled the anxiety mir
rored in her blue eyes. Surely this
girl had had no part In the murder
Of Jim Franklin. She was scarcely
more than child. He thought of that
second deep knife thrust that had
ended Franklin's life. Could that blow
have been guided by girls hand?
Yet. In spite of his misgivings, and
partly because of them, too. for he
realized that he was not an impartial
Judge where this girl was concerned.
he grudgingly admitted to himself that
Kilday's arguments possessed great
deal Of logic. BY all means, have the
girl down here. She had some ques-
lions to answer. And he was curious
to see what his own reaction to her
answers would be, this time. He
would not again be fooled by pretty
face.