The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-03-30

charge, and Danny announced that he
had a clue to the woman's identity-a
clue which he preferred to keep to him
self awhile . and the reporters, hav-
ing plenty to write about, did not pes
ter him too much.
In the days which followed the city
blazed with conjecture. MI. Todd,
avidly perusing his newspapers, con-
cluded that he would never be suspect
ed and consequently sent many flowers
to the funeral and mourned most OBJ
viously during the service. Danny
Reardon was relieved of his other re-
sponsibilities and assigned exclusively
to the task of following nonexistent
trails which he himself had created.
Briefly, and in a half hearted fash
ion which delighted Inspector Garrett,
the Taylor CRANKY killing was review
ed. The good citizens were reminded
that CRANKY had been seen in a a
on the night of his death in the COM
pany of a most attractive young wo-
man. The person who had seen them
together had appeared the day follow
ing Mr.. Granby's taking off; a very
tall, very black gentleman who earned
a modest daily wage as handy man
around a garage and filling station.
He declared that-even though MI.
CRANKY had been alone when his body
was found-he had not been alone
ored person-Jericho Gin by name
had been summoned to a lonely road to
change a tire for Mr.. CRANKY and at
that time Mr.. CRANKY had appeared
to be interested in the conversation of
his pretty-and very feminine-com-
panion. No, Jericho hadn't recognized
her, and probably never could, but his
story crystallized suspicion against her
whoever she might be. Without
doubt she had become annoyed with
MIR. Granby-a usually estimable young
mainland had put a bullet through
his head with results most definitely
fatal. Thereupon she had made her
escape-with the gun-leaving MI.
CRANKY slumped over the wheel of his
car on a wooded road, which happen
ed to be just within the corporate lin
its. Hence the criticism leveled against
the municipal police department.
But in reviewing the CRANKY killing
the newspapers displayed no particular
enthusiasm. Today the public was
more interested in the killing of Wall
ace McDougal, and if the press wa
bowling for a solution, Inspector Gar
rett did not worry. At the psychology
cal second Danny Reardon would pro-
duce Morgan Todd-all trussed up in
damning evidence. Then indeed the
city would forget Taylor CRANKY and
be content to accept his death as n
of those things which are humanity in
solvable.
But it happened that Detective Rear
don was of another mind. He was,
of course, pleased to anticipate that
some day soon he would be acclaimed
a supersleuth, that to him alone would
go the credit for solving the McDougal
mystery. What little work was requir-
ed on that case he had already done
most e~Xcellently. And o he chat
ed at inaction. After all, he was a
copper not an actor.
It logically occurred to him that if
Inspector Garrett would be made 50
happy by solving mystery which &C
tually had been solved within ten min
utes of its commission, he'd be over
joyed If his youngest detective could,
at the same time, unravel the genuinely
mysterious CRANKY Staying. Then, re-
Elected Danny, salving his own IN
science, if they chose to make him a
sergeant, he'd feel o justified in
accepting.
(To Be Continued)