Nogales international., 1935-12-07

According to the court reporter
record, that was all he said-name-
ly, that at 11:30, stranger, who
Mr.. Willard later informed him was
Mortimer Keith, husband of the
murdered woman, appeared unex-
pectedly from the hall, looked
about as though puzzled, and then
left quickly without word.
To Rankin, now, the incident was
of utmost significance. Months be-
fore it could even have been conjec-
tured that his murdered wife would
be a leading witness to Mrs. Row
lands own inhdelities, Mr.. Keith
had been present at the scene of
Rowland's apprehension! What
could his interest in that intrigue
possibly have been? How was he
appriSed of the rendezvous at the
Inn, and what did he expect to find
there?
Instinctively, Rankin perceived
that an immediate answer to these
questions was essential to the solu-
ton of the crime Going to the
office door, he called jerks to sum-
mon Miss Edmond.
When the secretary appeared, he
motioned her to seat and returned
TO the lawyers swivel chair.
"Sit down, Miss Edmond" he
said brusquely. "You know, of
course, that l have charge of the
investigation Of this crime. l am
questioning everyone connected
with the divorce hearing. You are
the correspondent, l believe; l sup
pose then that you recall all that
happened the night of Wednesday,
February first, at the Sunset 1nn."
Perfectly composed, the girl
smiled quietly. Eyes, quite clearly"
she admitted freely. "I could hardly
forget it as I was unfortunately in
volved."
you've also been told" the de-
tective pursued, that the dead wo-
man is Mrs. Keith-Mrs. Mortimer
Keith. Are you acquainted with
her or her husband?"
Though Jill Edmonds tone did
not change, he caught an express
sion of wariness in her gaze before
she could veil it.
mo, not personally, Mr.. Rankin.
AS Mrs Row1and's secretary, |
never had occasion to deal with
them. Of course, I've vaguely
heard of them as people prominent
in Philadelphia society"
Il have here the complete story
of the ID. er q. escapade at the
Inn" Rankin tapped Mr.. Simpkins
stenographic report. Among other
facts, it states that at eleven-thirty,
just after Mrs. Rowland invaded
the bedroom, Mr. Keith arrived and
entered behind her. At least, you
remember that?"
AS he paused, the girl merely
nodded, her very silence an indica-
ton of her vigilance.
What | want to learn, Miss Ed
nond, is why he appeared like that?
How was he connected with this
affair between you and the Row
1ands?"
The secretary shook her head. II
don't think l can tell you that, sir,
she answered. Il don't know why
he came. In fact, he was a total
stranger to me until some time
later Allen Mr.. Rowland iden-
tilted him as Mortimer Keith"
"Surely he must have offered
some explanation for his intrusion
into an embarrassing domestic
scene in which he had no concern,
Rankin pressed.
II don't believe he said a word,
Miss Edmond returned. "He didn't
remain over a minute; he just came
in from the hall and looked about;
then he seemed to realize he was
meddling and turned and went out
silently"
Rankin sensed that she chose her
words carefully. "You have no idea
what brought him to that particular
place at that timer"
I17perceptibly the secretary hesi-
tated, but flt- reply was positive
and direct.
"Not the least, Mr.. Rankin. He
probably had no reason. IF he hap
pened to be stopping at the Inr
that night, he couldn't help coming
forward when he heard the commo'
tor"
The d. ,ctive placed small stock
In this idea.
He retired to tA9 library where
Dr.. Sackett waited, impatient Il
present his report and get away
His examination of the body con