Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-02-10


side?" she asked. Il have something
important to tell you. You've been so
kind . thought I'd come to you
first instead of going to Gluck.'
"Ah, I see, a mystery" The Judge
smiled indulgently and led her through
the French doors of the library. We'll
go ahead. but make it quick. haven't
had breakfast yet
Glover opened her purse and took
out the revolver, still wrapped in her
handkerchief She laid it on the desk
Il think I've solved the Harrington
mystery" she told him quietly. This
is the gun"
He picked it up and examined it ex-
pertly. This is my automatic" he OBJ
served. Where did you find it?'
Clover walked over to the book
shelves IN a small italian cutout
book which was here yesterday but is
now missing"
Caution spread like a veil over the
judges face. He looked at Clover with
dawning concern. put down the auto
matte and motioned her to a chair.
Well what are you driving at?" he
demanded You don't think I shot
Miss Harrington, do you?"
No Clover paused, then shot out /:
But I know that your wife did"
My wife, The judge looked with
cold severity at Glover You're going
too far. Miss Lane Have you gone
quite crazy, or are you trying to cook
up story for your paper? Why should
my wife shoot Miss Harrington"
Again Clover hesitated What I
have to tell you now is not easy" she
began. "Bremner is the key. Perhaps
you don't know =. perhaps you won't
even be able to believe that for years
your wife has been seen everywhere
with him as Mrs Eliot Green-at his
apartment, at the races. at night clubs,
at his garage. at restaurants
Glover paused. She saw his fingers
tightening over his knees and the
muscles contracting around his mouth;
But his voice was quiet and judicial
as he asked: Are you talking without
proof, Miss Lane?"
mo. no. I'm not I took your wife's
photograph from my office. I had it
identified at the apartment house, at
the garage. at night clubs and res
taurants. There isn't any doubt that
she and Mrs. Eliot Green are the same
person. The man from my paper who
checked up on Bremner came on her
trail at every turn . That isn't all
gagement to Audrey, after she had let
slip some mention of it. He told me
SO himself last night =. Motive! What
more do you want?"
Clover's heart hammered so hard
that she felt she must suffocate Oh
God. what thing to do to a man,
she thought. but necessity drove her
on: Nov I shall have to go to Gluck
with my story-and the automatic
Wait" Judge Bryant hesitated for
a moment III call in my wife. She'll
show you how absurd all this is.
Justice Bryant turned his back on
Clover. and went out of the room and
came back a moment later with his
wife Her eyes were heavy. She glanced
in turn at Glover at her husband, and
at the automatic lying half hidden on
the desk. There was a swift impact
which she buried in the casual gesture
of lighting a Cigaret.
Her husband made no attempt to
pave the way for her. Miss Lane is
here with the strange theory that you
shot Audrey" he told her bluntly. And
with my automatic. You didn't, did
you?"
Mrs. Bryant drew slowly on her
cigaret. said nothing.
And that it was because of Brem-
ner. he went on in the same con-
trolled tone
Still she said nothing For a moment
he stared at her then was galvanized
tween her and Clover. You must go
at once. Miss Lane" he said
Clover stood her ground. Not till
I've finished" she told him.
Mrs. Bryant crushed out her cigaret
got up with swift resolution. faced
them both. I've just been thinking
what to do" Her voice was quiet and
desperate. You're finished now. Miss
Lane. It doesn't matter whether you
go or stay. You've done your job.
expect there are even fingerprints. I
made no effort to be careful You see.
I wasn't thinking clearly . john"
Her voice broke. Our home is falling
down. 1 knew when I saw that girl
standing so close to the book that she
guessed. Then later I found that she
had taken the gun. She stared at it,
lying on the desk, and shuddered. Yes,
killed Audrey. There's no use deny
ing it. I shot her as she sat listening
to the radio"
She stopped speaking and held her
temples. Glover shivered In the sun
shine that fell across the lovely, soft
toned room. She watched Justice