The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-04-19

In assuming that's he found nothing
here. That being true, what would be
his next move?
1.-THE evidence he feared might be-
tray him is still missing. He has the
same reason to fear discovery that he
had when he searched this place. VIII
he stop now7 | don't think so. We've
struck warm trail. Sergeant"
"You think he'll attempt to find and
destroy this evidence somewhere else7"
THAT'S what | would do. II | were
In his Shoes" declared the novelist
II feel pretty sure | would conclude
that the evidence was In the only other
place 1t could be-hIs office. That's
where I'd look next"
We've looked there" the detective
objected. 1--WE didn't find anything"
1--WE didn't go all through his files"
Peter was emphatic. ave looked. but
there are dozens of places such EVIL
dence might have been concealed. But
that Isn't the point The murderer
doesn't know we've looked. does he?
| maintain that the man who was so
anxious to find something here will
probably look there next. Unless he's
already been there. It's worth try
Ing. Let's 20 there and see. You have
Franklln's keys. We can set trap
for him."
Kllday, still welded to his theory
that Webster Spears was the murderer,
was nevertheless impressed. 1T would
probably be a wild goose chase. but I'd
do 1t II I hadn't sent word to Bulls
to be at my office. I'm geIng to con-
front him with Calls Shipley and see
III he can or will identify her as the
woman he saw quarreling with Frank
lin In that study. They're both prob
ably waiting for me by now"
"Then let me have the keys" urged
Peter. I'LL go alone. It's worth try
Ing, anyway"
Sergeant Kilday had not abandoned
his previous theory. spears Is my
man, but Just the same I'm not over
looking any possibilities, he declared
| on the way hack to his office FOR
| Frankllns keys.
IF you don't have revolver, you'd
| better take this one" He thrust
blue automatic Into his friends hand
| as they parted. Not" he added,
that think you'll need IT.
| Peter laughed. TITS always the I'M
loaded gun that goes Off" he retorted
land the bunch that looks like flivver
sometimes brings home the bacon"
The offices OF Franklin and Dunbar
/ were on the second floor of the Greer
| building. Peter was familiar with the
| general floor plan as result OF hls
/ previous visit there with Dunbar ant
Kilday. In the taxi, he formulated
/ plan. Franklin's keys would admit
him without difficulty Once inside, M
decided, he would wait In Franklin's
private office, In darkness. IN ordel
that has presence might not be de
tected and frighten off the Intruder
should he come.
| 1t was just eight o'clock, but thu
building was nearly deserted. Oni.
two elevators we're In operation. ant
neither was waiting as he entered TIN
lobby. SO Peter decided to walk up TIL
single flight OF stairs, his footballs
echoing In the deserted corridors, II
spite Of his caution. He paused at tn
landing and removed his shoes. |
would not do to advertise his pres
ence.
With the exception OF one globe
burning In front of the elevator, an
q red bulb at the end of the corridor
marking fire exit. the floor was I
darkness Most Of the doors wer
paneled with glass, 30 that q ligh
within would hetray their occupanc.
but this was not true Of the suite oeeu
pied by Franklin and Dunbar. A nun
Der OF offices had been thrown into on
large suite for this firm, and here
walnut paneled facade, with soil
door, barred the corridor.
Peter had not expected that. H
hesitated In front Of the door, keys
hand. What II the unknown visltc
he was expecting were already here
Would he not be stepping Into ira
OF his own making? He frowned
the panels In search OF some telltal
CLEAN OF light which would betray tn
presence OF some one within, but
there were light beyond that facad
he could not detect It, He tried pee
Ing through the key-hole. but 1t was
blind lock, with key-hole only on II
outer side, and defied the trick.
Well, 1t was risk he had to tax
He shifted the keys to his left har
and drew the revolver Kilday he
loaned him. n his quarry were O
ready here, Peter did not intend to
caught mapping. Even as he took Il
precantion. the novelist chuckled
himself. I'm going In for mel
drama" he told himself. There's 7
one here"
The first key he cautiously tried d
not fit. He withdrew 1t and selectt
another whose irregularity seemed
conform with the outline Of the 81
: In the lock. This time 1t fitted. The
was only slight click as he thru
the key home, but 1t sounded startlin
: lv loud In the stiffness Of that cor