The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-06-11

this maniac came from the police mans gun. It was found right here in the room."
 The detective held up the steel jacket. Why was this bullet hidden away so carefullyT He stood the roll of carpet by the table. "Why does this carpet have bullet hole through it? We tested our theory of concealed murder by hunting for concealed evidence-and we found 1t. And we're going to find more of | it!"
 But these are not proofs," Du- fresne continued. "A stray bullet. a hole in some old carpet"
 There are traces. The substitu- tion of bullets is one. It is true there are no fingerprints but this criminal was too astute for that. No doubt he wore gloves. The murderer sat in this room with his victim. They even drank together and perhaps 1t was at that moment the killer chose to fire. After the murder the extra glass was washed. dried, and put back in the cabinet. But we have found the glass, with traces of its recent use still in the bottom.
 "The murderer's first thought was to melt down the bullet by holding it in the flames of the log fire with these tongs. A systematic effort was made to hide the victims identity ring was forced from his finger. an emblem from his coat lapel. what ever papers, keys or other articles he had were rified from his pockets. Even the labels were ripped from his own clothes. None of these things has come to light in the house-we assume that the murder CT carried them away"
 "T>HAT is all guess-work, Harper
 Dufresne rebutted. "If there was third person, as you insist how did he escape from this house after the crime? I'll admit finger prints can be wiped away but you can't wipe away tracks in the snow"
 T can't answer that question, yet" the detective replied. T don't know how 1t was done. but I know that 1t happened. We've had men murdered in locked and sealed rooms and the solution turned out to be quite simple. If the murderer planned way to escape without leaving tracks in the snow I'll find how 1t was done before I'm through"
 Harper looked directly at his com. manding officers. q have other evil dence that cannot be divulged in this house without seriously injuring our chances of success"
 Dufresne sneered openly. "It's for tunate l was under your own police guard last night, Harper. or you would crown this brilliant fantasy of yours by accusing me of being the master mind behind this affair."" Harper's face reddened at the in- sulting tone which barbed these words. He stepped forward so that he stood facc to face with Dufresne. Those two men were murdered" he repeated. land 1 am sure that at least one person in this house could identify the man who masqueraded in your likeness. I'll go even further. I believe that you. MT. Dufresne. are helping to shield that person from us and that is a dangerous game to play"
 The master of the house threw back his head and laughed taunting- .ly. "Now l know you're crazy!"
 "Mr. Dufresne." Harper purred, "a little while ago you told me that you had only one gun in your possession --an automatic"
 "Yes%
 Perhaps you'd be interested to know that you own another weapon. a revolver of large caliber. This was usually kept in the upper right-hand drawer of the highboy in your dress ing-room. Early this morning that revolver.was still in its place. It has since disappeared. Can you tell us anything about that?"
 Dufresne looked at him out of a face suddenly sobered. q own no such revolver" he stated firmly.
 "Your butler. Andrews, says that you do."
 . Ring for him. We'll soon get to the bottom of that" Dufresne re- piled, sharply.
 They waited in an uneasy silence until the butler made his appear ance. Andrews stood looking from one to another inquiringly under his tufted white eyebrows.
 Andrews. what in the devil have you been saying to the police? Go on. Harper, you started this."
 Harper faced the old man. "A It. tie while ago you told me that MT. Dufresne kept revolver in d drawer of the highboy in his room. MT. Dufresne denies that"
 Andrews lifted his head. q never saw such a revolver" was his calm statement.
 (Copvrt0ht. 1881, by Walter o. BropnJ
 (Continued Tomorrow