Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1936-12-31

shall begin presently to expert.
ment in cooking"
II shall give you dining-roon
table for a wedding present."
promised. "Old maple if I can find
it,"
''That will be grand, Aunt Mary, +"
Molly approved.
"Miss Prentiss," Patrick took
over the conversation again, 81
find that : shall have to ask you
some more questions. I hope you
won't mind. I shouldn't bother
you. It's merely a matter OF
routine"
ooh please ask me as many
as you want, Mr.. O'Brien," Caro-
replied simply.
Patrick fumbled in one pocket
and found a little leather note
book. II have to warn you again
that anything you say now can
be used against you and that there
are witnesses present" He fun
bled in another pocket. "Darn,
haven't pencil on me. Do you
happen to have anything I can use,
Walter?" Walter handed him a
fountain pen. Patrick held it poised
over a notebook, his eyes fixed in
tently on it. t'Miss Prentiss, did
you know that Walter and Molly
were going to be married."
''No, Mr.. O'Brien-not definite
ly. suspected i'll"
when did they leave your
house Saturday morning?"
Somewhere between nine and
ten = about half-past nine, per-
haps." s,....
"Did they tell you where they
were going?" 'a'g< 3'''@
s'No." VI
"Did you ask where they were
going?"
''No."
Patrick made a few notes in
the notebook, handed the pen back
to Walter.
sDid you know you were going
to elope with Walter when you
went to the masquerade, Molly?"
''My suitcase was all packed in
my car"
''Here's Hopestill!" Patrick ex-
claimed again without looking
around.
The runabout crunched to stop
outside and Hopestill came strid-
ing into the room. He is a big,
tall, stoop-shouldered lad - my
nephew-not lanky exactly, but
angular. Perhaps the most notice
able thing about him are his eyes
-steely gray and deeply set. With
his characteristic long, swift step,
he crossed the room to me. 81
never thought I'd see you on such
tough spot, Aunt Mary!" he ex-
claimed, putting his arm about
me.
"Oh, I'm all right" I answered.
81 had, all told, about six hours
of good sleep last night. And I've
just had some strong coffee. Have
a cup?"
"You bet!" He turned to the
others. Hello, there, you two.
What do you mean-getting tied
so suddenly? Congratulations
He kissed the bride. Hello Patti"
he concluded. He shook hands
with Patrick. you've got your
work cut out for you'll"
"In say!" Patrick wrung Hope
stills hand. "Glad to see you. I
think your aunt needs a man about.
I've transferred police headquar-
tiers to her house."
cts a CHASTITY business!" Hope
still commented soberly. Gee,
you read about murders in the
paper with the greatest calm. But
when it strikes HONEYWELL, you
suddenly realize that you've never
really known what it meant be-
fore" &s< et
sThat's the way 1 feel, Hope
STILL" I agreed little drearily.
"You've never met Miss Prentiss.
My nephew, Mr.. Blaine, Caro-
Hopestill strobe to Caro's side,
shook hands with her. We all sat
down. Hopestil ensconsed himself
on the couch, his eyes following
,Caro's movements.
Molly and Walter arose. 81
think we'll be going, Aunt Mary"
Molly said, stunless, Patrick, you
want U.s.
TNo," Patrick answered in a
rneditative tone. 81 don't think I
want you any more at present.
However, Walter, guess I'll have
to ask you to stick around for
while. I may need you any time"
Walter gave him a quick, intent
look. He nodded. "I'll be at the
housed" he announced briefly.
"Could I go down to the Spin
ney?" Hopestill asked Patrick aft
er the Treadways had left. '.I'd
like to see the spot
"Oh yes" Patrick permitted.
cts anybody's ball now. We've TAX
en- all the photographs we want. Go
down there and root around as much
as you like. If you find few clues
I'll be grateful"
MAY I go too?" Caro- asked
suddenly. 81 don't know that I've
ever been in your Spinney, Mrs
Avery, and people are asking me
so many questions
"By all MEANS" I answered. 81