The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-14
5 Would Kill
BY TOM HoRNER



decided-and at the end of each
rack were more hangers awaiting
this seasons frocks.
Mrs. Benthorne sat beside the
window. nervously cutting an en-
velope to pieces with a small gold
scissors. She did not miss Daw-
sons approving glance at the
padded hangers.
Arnold called those my pet ex-
travagance,n she said, nodding TO-
ward the closet.
The gowns? They must have
cost a small fortune Dawson
agreed.
mo. the hangers. insisted
upon them, but Arnold could
never see why the ordinary wire
kind-those the cleaners always
send back-weren't just as good.
He owned one of the companies
that makes those-the wire ones, l
mean"
The detective nodded, and went
on with his search. Once he
paused, as If listening. rs this
room directly over Mr.. Ben
thorne's study" he asked.
Benthorne's widow shook her
head. IT wish it WERE" she re-
piled. II might have been able to
hear-last night. Mr.. Benthorne's
room is above the study. Do you
want to look around my husband s
room ?"
mot right away" Dawson said.
"I'll have to awaken your father
now. Or would you rather ?"
Helen Benthorne led the way.
There was a queenly pride in her
erect carriage. a calm defiance in
her manner that easily explained
Arnold Benthorne's longing to have
this woman for his wife, and to
take any means to force her into
that marriage. Helen Benthorne
was an aristocrat, Dawson knew,
and her mannerisms never allowed
anyone to forget it. She opened
the door to the guest room gently,
then threw it wide with crash.
MY father is gone!" she scream
ed. Dawson darted into the room.
1t was true. The bed was empty,
the covers thrown back. The shoes
were still there, neatly placed side
by side, half under the bed.
Dawson rushed to the head of
the front staircase, searched the
hallway and entrance beneath.
Krone. Krone" he shouted,
and as the patrolman rushed
through the half-open front door,
watch this stairway and the hall
there. Stop everyone. I'm coming
down the back way"
Douglas and Ara were still at
the table when Dawson pushed
through the swinging door. ANY
one go through here in the last 20
minutes ?"
mot a soul, Captain" Douglas
answered. whats the matter
now" But Dawson had hurried
on.
The detective bumped into Krone
a second later at the door of the
study. What is it, Captain ?"
"Alston-he's disappeared"
But he was upstairs, sleeping"
"Yes-yes-I saw him not 20
minutes ago, sound asleep. But
he's not there now. Did you see
him come down the stairs ?"
I'D just stepped outside with
joey for a smoke-Id have heard
him"
He left his shoes by the bed
What were you doing outside ?"
Dawson Numbered. Search the
house. Call in a couple of those
men on duty in front-get me a
dozen more. Where's Flynn?
What" The words died in his
throat.
Were you looking for me, Cap
tain Dawson" The door of Ben
thorne's private hallway to the
street opened and Aston emerged
from the long corridor. The de-
tective stared at him, OPEN
mouthed.
II awakened suddenly, with an
idea," Aston explained. II came
down quietly. and I think I found
something you'll want to see." He
handed the detective a smudged,
water-stained cigaret, half burned
and crushed. Most interesting"
he went on slowly, his breath
in his throat.