Evening star., 1936-09-09

chap where he couldn't talk. You've
had q chance to find out what that
man can do with his hands 1t
would be fairly easy in the water. And,
now, we know for sure from Gaston's
letter to you that he wouldn't have
made much resistance -. unless he
changed his mind at the last"
He was murdered!" Deeds exclaimed
In a low voice. st tell you he was
murdered, Beckham. That devil did
It,"
Easy We don't know that. Where
are your witnesses should have
been one, suppose but wasn't.
Only those two doctors. They'd laugh
at the charge. More than that, we
have written proof now that Castor
-intended to kill himself. What would
be more likely than he would drown
himself? Plenty of motive. He was
on a spot, as his letter to you says"
But nobody"
"Oh, yes, they might. I'm sorry, but
we can't disregard that evidence"
Beckham coldly thrust Genes letter
to Deeds into an inside pocket. II give
you my word it won't be used unless
it's necessary. Maybe it's compound
ing felony >. but you're forgetting
there's another side to the picture"
What do you mean?"
''That boys mother, for one thing.
I told you out on the beach this morn
ing that there are compensations .. {.
sometimes. Don't you get it? And
,ipI1 +xr f7Yn
girl, too. Wouldn't 1t be much better
II Gaston's death were accidental? For
them? I'm not sure what is going
to come out of this. But Sloan isn't
going to do much talking. If that boy
were alive, of course, he'd try to make
him the goat. Now he can't. He
won't care for much grilling on that
one subject. Besides, we've got enough
other stuff on him. And he knows it"
'I see. You think it would be
kinder not to rake up his past. Yes
>. you're right"
st think it would be kinder =. If
we can. I'm making no promises"
But it burns me up :. to think OF
their getting away with it."
81 know. Same as I know you'll
change your mind when you stop to
think of Mrs. CASTOR. I'm not
trying to be rough"
oh" Deeds settled back on his
pillow. "I forgot" he added DULY.
''I thought you had"
"But, Beckham I know for q
d fact that marriage wasn't legal. Just
a couple of kids -. on a lark, you
know. I happen to know they never
lived together. You see, they both
falsified their ages
And you want that bruited about?
I suppose you know there's only one
way to annul a marriage. There's a
record. 1t would have to go into
court. So would Miss Kendall. As it
is. she's widow. And suspect
that fact is known to only very few
-. some persons who will be glad
enough to keep their mouths shut. For
the girls sake.
Deeds nodded and looked away.
ST think you've had about enough
for one day" Beckham rose to his
feet, but paused at the side OF the
bed. REST bit and think it all
over. I'd keep quiet and let things
work out as they will I'll be here
for short time and I'll do anything
can to help. After all, we're in
your debt. Shake
"Debt?" Deeds squeezed the little
mans hand in a tight grip. What
about me! If 1t hadn't been for
Sou|"
. Then, maybe, we're square. See
you later, old man." He paused in the
doorway for one last sober reflection.
"You know, McCune, there are times
when wouldn't mind being of the
cloth. 1t would come in handy as
-. sort of extra-curricular activity"
Not long afterward Deeds had
another caller, another member of
the Beckham family, no less than
young Middleton, who bestowed a
! toothy smile upon the man on the
bed, after assuring himself there was
no one else in the room.
Hello" he remarked.
Hello, yourself. Come in, won't
you?"
Cant STOP" boy explained impor-
family. Il got note for you
nobody's supposed to see me give it to
you, either"
II see. Quite day for things,
isn't it?"
"You bet. know my dad was after
those fellows he lets me in on
things -. sometimes. He caught 'em
pretty slick, didn't he? He's always
pullin' stuff like that. They call him
= an ace"
$50 do I. A note, you said, I be-
ueve"
Miss Lindsay asked me to slip 1t
TO you after she went away. She and
her mother just left taxi from
NAPLES Beach"
I'm sorry didn't see them" Deeds
said regretfully. He held out his
hand. Thanks lot. You won't be
insulted if gave you a quarter for
your kindness, will you?"
me? I should say not! They're
showing Omen again up at the
Criterion"
Fine"
AS soon as the door was closed
Deeds examined the envelope Mid
dleton had given him. The hand
"A4oAa6 Woo NCAy uu1Cl Gas.
toms bold and angular. The
Enclosed note was brief.
my Dear Deeds:
"This seems to be your day for
letters from our family. I'm sorry
to bother you, but thought I'd rather
say good-by this way than in person.
It's mostly to thank you for being
kind to poor old Gene.
"Im not going to pretend that
know what it's all about. But I can't
help putting a good many Things
together, and it starts a picture that
I'm too cowardly to want to see. I'm
going to hope I'll see you again some
day and that you are going to be
very happy. think you will be ..
you're good egg.
"I have explained to mother that