The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-07-16
Chapter 50 DESPERATE WOMAN W

IIARPEk was asking himself how AA it was possible that this modisl beauty could be thrice murderess --Aline Croyden was asking herself how much of her story this Ser geant of Detectives had guessed. q have been eavesdropping. Mir Harper" she announced simply. as one who puts 0. E. D. at the end of 6 demonstration in geometry Harper relaxed, the tenseness eas Ing from muscles instinctively braced against the possible impact of flying steel. The woman was sane and collected. at all events But her right hand was still invisi ble, and there was no sign ofswaver ing in the set lines of her mouth or the look in her eyes.
 Aline Croyden noticed this fugi tive lapse of attention. Please don't try anything heroic." she spoke through tight lips. "Sit down over there"
 Harper, with an air of casualness, took the cha'r she indicated. This Is very dramatic, but quite useless, you know" he objected.
 Her eyes burned at him, suddenly alive. q had to be sure" She shiv. cred little. "As soon as saw your face"
 The detective leaned forward. Mrs. Croyden, let us talk this situa. tion over quietly between ourselves. Gun-waving is out of place at this stage. There must have been some terrible driving power that forced you to such lengths. Only you can state what that was. Joseph Dona- ghy's part in 1t can guess, but the other-?"
 "I did not come here to talk. felt you getting closer and closer to the solution, and had to see if you really knew. You forced my hand by going rter my sister and ierre. They have nothing to do with this matter, and at least can have the final decency to shoulder my own burdens. And for your own safety let me repeat your warning to Jo- seph Donaghy-you can hang per son only once. Remember that and act accordingly. .. Have you gun in your pocket?"
 Harper shook his head. q carry one only on special occasions. You may search me if you like," he add ed, half rising from the chair.
 "Sit still! Ie you move or make a noise I'll shoot!" There was no mistaking the steely ring of that voice.
 Come, now" Harper protested. "Even If 1 had a gun in my pocket l wouldn't try to beat you to the draw That ism. necessary. You caE bluff me, Hrs. Croyden. You're the one in the dangerous spot. and you can't shoot your way out of it this time. My advice is to give in grace fully"
 "I shall escape" she replied conf1- dently. Do you suppose would plan everything else and not arrange for that? Everything is ready" Harper shook his head again. "You can't get aws~y. If you shoot at me you'll not get out of this house, perhaps not out of this room. 1 And suppose you did escape tempo rarily? Where could you go? To whom could you turn?
 "The full machinery of the law would be turned to tracking you down. You would be marked wo- man wherever you went. You couldn't even find a refuge in the lowest slums or the underworld They'd give you up in minute. Al most, a few days of terror and flight and you'd be run down like rabbit hunted by dogs"
 "VXTELL not argue that point
 " The mask-like face turned tc him, with it's set lines, the shadows under sleepless eyes. "Tell ne, how did you know?"
 The detective silently pointed te l the lens on the table.
 Mrs. Croyden gave 1t a swift glance. T don't understand. What were you looking at?"
 That's professional secret, Mrs Croyden. Suppose you use the leni for yourself?"
 q would like to, but I can't trus you. Tell me, please" Her voice suddenly broke in quick pleading "Nothing can matter now!"
 The detective thought, If I ca, keep on talking long enough som, one will try that door. When tha
 happens I'll close in and take m,
 chances with her gun.
 He said aloud. "When YOU came 1,
 I had just made an important dis covery. We had failed before to fin, any fngerprints on that table, but just noticed number of tiny mark on the top. and they furnish a clu