The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-08-15
FIND THE
CORPSE
g
By r. H. WILKINSON
e. Bell syndicate.-WNUs Service.
KIT REMAINS now," said In
spector Joe Warren, "but to find
L the cornSeW

THAT won't be so difficult"
volunteered the young man In the
tweed Knockers, who was idly watching
Warren.
1.-THE rivers not deep here, but the
currents rather swift. Just below our
property there is sharp bend. Nine
chances out of ten, Uncle Raymond's
body is lodged there. And if not, the
river empties into a small pond be-
low the bend. If the pond is dragged
-" He ended with a significant shrug.
Detective Jim Bradley, Warren's
chief aide, who composed the third and
last member Of the group nodded ap-
provel.
"And that lets US out of hard days
work, inspector. Let's go home"
He moved, as If to follow in the foot
steps of the young man In the tweed
knickers, who had already started off
in the direction Of the house.
But Warren remained standing IN
der the tree.
swat minute, Jim. There might
be something to this"
AS he spoke, Warren stopped and
picked up something from among the
grass and leaves.
Bradley turned in faint surprise and
annoyance.
The day was hot, beastly hot.
And yet, standing there on the river
bank. In the dense shade Of the great,
thickly needed pine tree, the heat was
bearable.
Suicide" said Bradley shortly.
Dead open and shut. Old Man
Barnes came down ostensibly to take
his usual morning dip. His dressing
gown is here ON the bank. And we
have the note, saying he was going to
end it ALL"
"The note was typewriter" Warren
reminded.
"And besides, he gave no reasons for
wanting to commit suicide"
Bradley shrugged, and there was the
barest of twinkle in his blue eyes.
He had seen his chief reach up and
tug at the lobe Of his left ear, a GER
tain indication that the inspector had
something serious on his mind.
Suspect the kid?" Bradley asked
bluntly.
Maybe" said Warren.
Bradley gestured.
Count him out. He wouldn't have
been so serious to tell US how shallow
the river was, if he didn't want us to
drag it, And there's no place else
around here to hide a corpse-at least
for any length of time"
"Well, there's no one else to suspect
right now. Look" Warren suddenly
held out his hand and exhibited the
article that he had picked from among
the dead grass and leaves.
1t was a small wood screw.
Bradley became a trifle sarcastic.
This wasn't getting them anywhere,
and it was hot.
MY great powers Of detection" he
said, Inform me that the article in
your hand is a screw. What of it?"
Warren shook his mead impatiently.
"Why not say what's a screw doing
her, under a pine tree, far from any
building? And only one?"
Its driving me screwy," said Brad
ley, still sarcastic.
There's blood on it," said Warren.
"Blood?"
Sure. Look"
Bradley bent forward, and suddenly
became alert. He knew Warren well
enough to realize they were getting
somewhere.
"Well?' he said.
81 WONDER" unused Warren, deliber-
ately changing the subject, why young
Barnes wanted us to drag the river?"
$50 we'd find the body" Bradley of
fered.
Warren shook his head
Rather" he disagreed, because he
knew we wouldn't find the body. Why
didn't he want us to find it? WhyY
"rll bite" said Bradley with quick
ening interest.
"Why?"
Warren tugged at his ear-lobe and
frowned.
Once more his eyes wandered to the
waiting figure in the aspen grove.
Suddenly he started.
1t was not enough of a start to at
tract the attention of young Barnes.
a hundred yards away.
But Bradley saw and became curious.
"Well?" he asked for the second
time.
'Jim, I've got it! Young Barnes
wanted us to drag the river at once
because he knew we wouldn't find the
body and we'd give up. Then after
we'd gone away, began looking else
where, possibly for the corpse, he'd
remove his uncle's body from its pres
ent hiding place and dump it in the
river. The river Is the only logical
place to dispose Of dead man. And
Barnes knew that after we got through
dragging, 1t would be the only safe
place."
Fine" Bradley agreed.
Nov, all we have to do. is look for
the body, or drag the river and then
lie in wait for young Barnes"
Warren began to grin.
use your head, Jim. Where would
be the logical place far the young mGn
to hide the body until he could dump
it in the river?" i
Bradley frowned. :
Things were beginning to develnn.