Evening star., 1936-01-12

CUMMING tP os hAo Nh6oANte~s
You're a lawyer" he said. Il was
admitted to the Bar. before l took up
this work. You know what proof is.
So do l. You know all about reason
able doubt. And so do l. You've given
me a hot lead. but you haven't given
me any proof that can take before
jury"
The telephone rang Klay impa-
tiently grabbed the receiver. heard
Captain Gregg's voice on the wire.
lust wanted to let you know"
Gregg said, that things are progress
ing favorably. think Needham's
going to kick through"
Klay barked Instructions into the
mouth-piece. He was so excited his
words almost ran together. Listen.
Gregg. here's a new line to work on:
Tell Needham that Frank Richmond
is under arrest; that Richmond has
confessed that he, Walter Vane, in the
district attorneys Office, and Need
ham. back in June, 1892. framed the
embezzlement case which sent Hugh
Klay to the pen. and that the three of
them divided the money. each taking
something over FIVE thousand dollars;
that Richmond has confessed but
says the whole idea was Needham's.
Say that Vane and Richmond are
going to make him the goat"
Are those facts straight?"
THE embezzlement stuff is.'
Klay could hear Gregg chuckle over
the telephone. This" he said, ''is
duck soup. Needham will spill his
stuff all over the CELL"
Klay hung up the telephone. turned
to Underwood. Police Captain Gregg
is working with me-" he explained.
He has Needham salted away in
Jail in Aldenville. Needham is the
tool who helped Richmond frame Sam
Crawford's murder on Frink. Gregg's
going to get a confession within the
next half hour"
Underwood got to his feet. "Okay."
he said. with no more excitement than
if he had been discussing the weather.
Suppose I come back in an hour?"
Klay's heart was still pounding with
eager excitement. That II be fine. he
said. I'm satisfied well have some
legal proof then"
Underwood nodded. slipped quietly
through the door and into the corridor.
And it wasn't until the closing door
had clicked the latch into position that
Klay suddenly realized he knew
nothing whatever about Underwood or
where to get in touch with him if he
desired to do so.
Seated in his Office, which seemed
cheerless and barnlike in the light of
the incandescents, waiting for Gregg
to telephone and report develop
ments. Klay tried to take stock of the
situation.
He had entered Crawford's house
and had not reported the murder to
the police. That alone would be
damning evidence of guilt. A queer
quirk of circumstances - or had it
been the deliberate Vaccinations of his
enemies - had put him in the position
of defending the person accused of
that murder. Failing to disclose his
own connection with the case to his
client and the court might we'll be
construed such breach Of ethics as
to result in his being disbarred, even if
he could prove he was innocent of the
murder.
Outside, the night was cool and
still. Traffic had ceased on the quiet
street where he had his Office. He felt
suddenly isolated, an infnitesimal
speck of humanity. alone in an Office
with darkness pressing against the
windows.
Suddenly he stiffened to attention.
From the hallway could be heard the
click click click of the heels on
woman's shoes, a woman who was
walking rapidly. Klay had heard that