Evening star., 1936-10-04

e-~AAN Co. was RAay hib SohiS 6aithGy yCS
drawn to her in spite of his caution;
Clegg. sardonically watchful, his eau
tious disposition apparently quite un-
moved by the vitality beautiful young
woman; and Wanda Hara, herself, in
scrutable at times, yet so vibrant with
life. so thoroughly feminine that it
was impossible to consider her in the
light of scheming woman.
Lynn Downey was constantly in the
company of Roscoe Browning, and.
coming upon them Unexpectedly on
two or three occasions, Burke decided
that Browning was either a magnifi-
cent actor. or else was genuinely in
fatuated. As for Vincent Gary. he kept
sullenly to himself. His long, bony
horse-face. with its big jaw and long
teeth. seldom smiled. He made no pre-
tense of sociability. 1t was easy to sus-
pect him of murder and espionage.
Burke found himself strangely dis
quieted by the growing intimacy
between Lynn Downey and Roscoe
Browning.
There seemed complete lack of
tension, as though those who were par
ticipating in the strange intrigue had.
for the moment. agreed upon an arm
istice. The boat swung ever northward
and eastward.
Land ahead! The mountains of the
California coast seemed brown and
barren in contrast with the rich ver-
dure of the tropical islands.
There was the usual mad confusion
incustoms, the scattering of passengers
for hotels. and phalanx of friends and
relatives who clustered behind the
customs fence to wave greetings
Tracy Burke felt a tap On his
shoulder. A man said, Il think can
help you through with your baggage,
Mr.. Burke. The United States district
attorney wants to talk with you. and.
if you'll accompany me to his Office in
a cab. can fix it 50 your baggage will
be delivered wherever you wish it.
Just sign this authorization. please"
Burke looked skeptically at the man
and was given fash of a card which
showed him to be a deputy United
States marshal.
1T would" the deputy remarked
significantly. "be 30 much nicer to
have you cooperate"
Burke nodded, signed the waiver
and accompanied him to the presence
of deputy United States district at
torney, whose manner was definitely
suspicious.
A diagram of the deck of the ship on
which Burke had made his journey to
the South Seas was produced. Burke
was requested to point out various and
sundry spots; where he had stood
when he had first heard the sound Of
running steps; the course he had taken
in going to report to the captain;
where he had first seen the body of the
murdered man. And then he was asked
several questions concerning his knowl-
edge of Lynn Downey.
Burke scrupulously avoided men
tioning anything about the paper. He
was asked to give his fingerprints "for
comparison" which he did. The dep
uty district attorney produced an en-
larged photograph of a section of an
automatic gun barrel. A latent finger
print had been developed on that gun
barrel, and Tracy watched the finger
print expert with an amusement
which was all but patronizing as the
man made various points of compari-
son. Suddenly, however. his amuse-
ment changed to amazed increduIty.
Point after point on the fingerprint,
as photographed on the gun, tailed
with the print of his right thumb.
Look here" he said, Il never
handled that gun in my life. l re-
Trained from touching it when saw it
on the floor"
you entered Miss Downey's state
room?" the deputy asked.
uvoc at Iay ror,,act -