The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1934-05-31

along when I took that dive through
the window the other night.
"You see. Sergeant" he continued.
1--WE have been hitting pretty close to
the truth almost from the first. Ever
since I've been lying here. I've been
going over the evidence, trying to
make it fit | couldn't get away from
| that woman in blue who visited Frank
| lin in Doctor Ahernathy's study, just
before the crime. The very fact that
she was the only one of the visitors
that we couldn't locate. In spite of all
our efforts. made me doubly suspicious
Of the part she played in the crime.
Still. that was only superstition, until
the night Franklin's apartment was
searched. The prowler passed up
few Jewels Of value. while ransacking
the place. 1t seemed obvious that he
was no ordinary thief and that his
search had some connection with the
crime. But we have been over that.
] need only point out that our pre-
viOus search of those rooms made US
reasonably certain that nothing had
been found there. I felt sure. then.
that the search would be extended to
the office. Whatever the murderer
wanted, he wanted pretty badly.
"That was lucky hunch, although
It nearly proved the finish of me. And
1t proved another thing-t1is was a
hot trail.
"The murderer had admitted himself
to Franklin's apartment with a key
key given him by. or taken from, the
woman in blue or Choo Choo Train.
We can discover nothing against Choo
Choo, so let's follow up the other lead.
If this key came from the woman in
blue, the motive for the crime was es-
tablished, but was still as far from
identifying this woman as ever. APP
parently."
Peter brushed his hand YEARLY
across his eyes. His face showed the
strain the events of the afternoon
were imposing upon his limited
strength.
"Then there is the matter of the
phone to Choo Choo Train, just be-
fore the wedding" he continued pres
emily. 'She thought 1t was Fletcher
calling, by Franklin's order. We know
that Franklin didn't tell Fletcher to
make such call. because Nick Royce
tells us of the mans surprise when she
appeared at the church. Fletcher de-
MES he called. Then who did calf"
webster Spears!" Kilday suggested.
Peter shook his head. II think not
Spears was interested in getting the
Carmody family to stop the wedding.
Besides, he has admitted his CONVERSE
ton with Rylie and his anonymous call
to the elder Carmody. But he denies
calling Choo Choo. What reason could
he possibly have for not telling the
truth on that score. as we'll?
mo, It wasn't Spears. The muir
derer called Choo Choo. He did it be-
cause he knew her relationship with
Franklin, Of course. and hoped that her
presence at the church would divert
suspicion from himself. believe that
was the only reason she was called.
Of course, this tells us very little. 1t
does reveal that the man knew Frank
I'LL WS1I &cuOuSu " hAOW uic uhOiSSs
But half of New York knew OF his
infatuatfon for this actress. Neverthe-
less, this man was no, casual acquaint-
ance. He had either visited in Frank
Inns apartment, or talked to him by
telephone, there"
! allow do you know thatr'
"He knew Fletcher's name and was
familiar enough with his voice to imi-
tate It when he talked to Cho0 Choo
over the telephone" Peter explained.
"A mere casual acquaintance couldn't
have done that. Besides that, we have
another proof Of the fact. When the
murderer entered the rear door OF Doc
tor Abernathy's study, Franklin turned
to meet him. He was not surprised to
see hts visitor. II he had been, It
would have been only natural for him
| to have made some exclamation that
would have attracted the attention OF
Nick Royce, standing only q few feet
away. He didn't. Royce never knew
when the murderer entered. Franklin
| is bound to have, considered his muir
derer one Of his intimate friends"
Peter paused to light . fresh Gig
arctic and inhaled OF It, deeply, sew
eral times, before continuing.
"There is another very vital clue
i which we must not overlook. That ID
the revolver. Unless we believe that
Franklin thought his life was in grave
danger, it is ridiculous to suppose that
he carried revolver to his own we'd
ding. prefer to think that he hae
no warning Of his danger. In the firs'
place, II he had, he would never have
permitted his assailant to approach
him near enough to stab him, without
firing. He was stabbed from in front
! remember, not from behind. Again le
me remind you that Royce was onl!
. few feet away In the next room.
'No, IL Franklin had been armed,
would have been because he suspecte,