White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-12-09
CHAPTER XI-Continued
ID

AOOhSQ DIT tIl0 SCuIil anu OIeSS VI
the underworld, at pictures in rogue
galleries, at line-ups, at patients in
hospitals, trying to identity the man
who ran through my ROOM"
II heard that the police were sure
that Hunt was the man when red
paint was found on his shoe"
"The trouble with that clue was
that it wasn't his shoe. When he
first regained consciousness in the
garage, he complained that his feet
felt as if they were in. iron casts.
Then the police with their steam
shovel methods hurried him into the
living room of the white cottage.
When he saw what lay on the floor
he collapsed. After he was taken
to the hospital-he's still in a coma
his shoes had to be cut off. Then
it was found that they were a size.
smaller than his at the cottage. The
man whom the Cassidy girl saw in
the garage must have changed
and taken Hunts shoes. He was
a quick worker"
"Bill Harrison may be smart, but
what has he done toward clearing
up this tragedy? Nothing
"He wants the case to drop out
of the headlines. He says that
the guilty parties will then think
that the hunt for them is cooling
off,"
II wish they'd put me on the
force, I'd show them a thing or
two" The brim Of Mrs. Gregory's
large hat Topped in unison with the
thump of her cane. "Im not afraid
of bandits. I've ordered some of
my jewels from the bank to wear
to Sans play"
"Oh, Mrs. Gregory! Is it safe?"
"Safe! Do you think I'll be fright
ened out Of wearing what I like?
Besides, lightning never strikes in
the same place twice. Lucky the
performance is coming off soon; ev-
erybody is getting edgy."
"We'll relax tonight. Mark Trent
is giving the Fields and Reyburns
party in town at that new Supper
Club. 1t was planned for two weeks
ago but If was postponed. 1t seems
century since I have been to a
real party"
"Mark needs change of thought
too. It's an i'll wind that blows no.
body good. Lola is out of his life,
thank heaven. But, much as I love
you, Brooke, I'll never forgive my
self for signing my name as witness
to Mary Amanda Danes will which
cut him off.
Brooke's mind whirled and stead
led. Mrs. Gregory's signature was
not on the will which had been
probated; she had made sure Of
that again recently. Perhaps the
one to which she referred had been
drawn earlier.
Elbow could you know what you
were signing? Witnesses are not
SQppOSEQ w See I1lC NO4ltCllto VI d
will, are they? When did you wit
ness it?"
Brooke asked the question quick.
ly. She must know and get the un-
certainty off her mind.
"Just week before Mary Aman-
da died. Perhaps you remember
the day. You drove in just as l
went out and-good heavens, for
got! promised Jed Stewart that 1
wouldn't mention it. Forget I told
you, Brooke. 1t wasn't very tactful
of me anyway, but when was I
ever tactful? I like that rust-color
gown on you. Now I suppose every
would-be smart woman in town will
appear with one like it.
Why had Jed Stewart asked Mrs.
Gregory not to mention her sigma
ture? Did he suspect dishonesty?
Why wonder? Hadn't she been sure
for weeks that the two men in
Mark Trent's house were there for
some other reason than sheer love
of New England village in win
ter?