The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-03-22
CHAPTER VII-Continued
..-.-I6--...-.

IL
The novelist puffed thoughtfullv OF
hisecigarette and studied the man be
Tore him through the pale cloud Of ex
PEELED smoke. you're very careful
how you word 1t. Fletcher" he oh
served. II notice you say nnthn.
about any women who may have beer
In love with Mr.. Franklin, regardless.
OF how he felt In the matter. 1t ISM
always easy to break off love affail
with woman, even for person o.
Jim Franklin's accomplishments along
that line. Perhaps there has been &
woman answering this description who
has called here reeently?n
"Not-not that | can recall. Mr.
Cardigan"
How about phone calls7 Has any
woman been calling here repeatedly
In the past few days7a
There have been many calls. OF
course" Fletcher faltered. "Rut |
couldn't tell you who they we're from.
Miss Train, yes. and Miss Carmody.
If there have been others. couldn't
say who they were"
"But there were others?"
Possibly. I really couldn't answer
yes or no. The mans manner had
grown less reluctant now.
Have you ever seen this before.
Fletcher" In his palm Cardigan ex-
tended the revolver found In the rec.
tory garden.
The servant made no move to touch
1t. mo, sir. don't know much about
guns"
but this one belonged to Mr.. Frank.
I'm Surely you've seen 1t before"
didn't know he had a gun. sir |
had never seen IT. I think there muzt
be some mistake"
HE probably konf Il In drawer
In the bedroom. or In his ne.4s Peter
suggested.
If he had, should have known 1T,
Mr.. Cardigan" the mnn insisted. ave
never seen It before. I'm sure there's
been some mistake"
Peter rose abruptly. THAT'S all.
think" he said. But he paused with
one hand on the door. for q final 1nas.
tion. "Whn has been here since yes.
terday EVENING" Anyone?'
NO sir. Not since you left last
night"
Hes not telling ns NIL he knows"
growled Kildav after the door had
closed behind them.
I'm sure Of that" the novelist
agreed. "But why? don't think
Fletcher had anything to do with
Franklln's murder. After all. he's
only a servant. Where would the mo-
tive be?"
i couldn't see motive for Web
ster Spears at first" declared the SER
geant. Then he shook his shoulders
YEARLY. This case Is giving me the
wlllies," he complained. "Tl be sus.
necting you, next. Well. what do You
think now7 There were no new leads
there, and I've got to see the district
attorney right after lunch. RI don't
have something. It'll be just too bad.
"And yet" the novelist answered
slowly, 1--WE know that the murderer
carried Frankln's revolver to the
church yesterday afternoon. That Is
n IN ha eli
convinces us that 1t must have been
one of his Intimate friends. No one
else could have had access to 1t. The
gun must have been taken within the
past few preferably yesterday
Il the crime had been planned far In
advance. find 1t hard to believe that |
he murderer would have chosen the |
.hurch as the scene for his crime. ri |
seems clear that no one could have
aiken II without Fletcher's knowledge.
Ind we find him reluctant to Talk. He /
lad no motive, so 1t must have been
ome one for whom he has n feeling OF
or regard--some one he Ia
Wiling to take some risk to shield.
Who could that be?"
Another woman. eh?" Kilday paused
IN the steps. "A former mistress, that
he servant liked better than he did
hoo Choo."
"That sounds reasonable" Peter
greed. ''Or else 1t was new
Mistress. Franklin never had the rep
tation Of being exceptionally constant
D his loves"
"Getting back TO your woman In
lue," muttered the sergeant between
RATS on his stogy. They had halted
n the front steps or the apartment.
Everything leads back to her. But +
len. what about young Spears7 What