The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-05-17

We can discover nothing against ChoO
Choo, SO let's follow up the other lead.
II 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, ap-
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-
fore9fhe 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 call7'
webster Spears!" KiIday 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 well?
mo, 1t wasn't Spears. The muir
derer called Choo Choo. He did 1t be-
cause he knew her relationship with
Franklin, of course, and hoped that her
presence at the church would divert
suspicion from himself. l believe that
was the only reason she was called.
OF course, this tells us very little. 1t
does reveal that the man knew Frank
lin we'll enough to know his habits.
But half of New York knew of his
infatuation 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"
"How do you know that7"
"He knew Fletcher's name and was
familiar enough with his voice to imi-
tate 1t when he talked to Choo 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 his visitor. IL he had been. 1t
would have been only natural for him
to have made some exclamation that
would have attracted the attention of
Nick Royce. standing only 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 1t, deeply, sew
eral times, before continuing.
There Is another very vital clue
which we must not overlook. That Is
the revolver Unless we believe that
Franklin thought his life was In grave
danger, 1t Is ridiculous to suppose that
he carried revolver to his own we'd
ding. I prefer to think that he had
no warning Of his danger. In the first
place. II he had, he would never have
permitted his assallant to approach
him near enough to stab him, without
firing. He was stabbed from In front,
remember, not from behind. Again let
me remind you that Royce was only
few feet away In the next room.
"No, II Franklin had been armed, II
would have been because he suspected
danger And In that event, he would
have used his weapon when the MUIR
derer entered the room. I am con-
vlnced that the revolver was carried
to the church, not by Franklin, but by
the murderer himself, who intended,
bv Staying the man with his own gun,
thus to escape detection. You will mr.
que, OF course, that he used the knife,
l15ledu. DtiiEfC Indl Who al uAtCi
thought, suggested when he saw the
knife hanging on the wall as he en-
tered the room. It suggested silence
and greater time for escape, that he
could not hope for II he used the gun
Another point which puzzled me
was why the revolver should have been
dicnordnd In tba oh rry hharu If fhn orr.
den. or course, the murderer had al
ready taken the precautlon to leave
Franklin's own finger-prInt upon II
but nevertheless, this revolver hai
been significant clue In the case, and
marks an apparent mistake on the
part OF the man we seek. My only
explanation for this action is that this
murderer Joined the throng In front
OF the church, after the crime, seeking
safety In the crowd, rather than X
flight. think 1t probable that ht
even entered the church. That is quite
likely, as am sure his acquaintance
with Franklin was such that he hat
been invited. That being true. hs
could not afford to have the murdered
mans revolver In his possession. That
explains this point, but 1t does not ex
plain how and when he obtained thai
revolver.
ITO BE CoNTINUED.)
Negro Tobacco Pickers