The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-31
Q SERIAL STORY
 NEW YORK JUNGLE
BY WRAY WADE SEVERN

|, Barkes stirred uneasily.
 I'm sorry I told ou that Togi had shot MT. Langdon," he said after a moment of depressed silence "I've changed my mind. You'll think me a nut when tell you why"
 Perhaps not" Sidney smiled.
 "Togi could have done the mur- der exactly as I reasoned" Barkes said. But now I've concluded such an act would be out of character for him."
 'T agree there. But what changed your opinion?"
 "A small act of kindness on his part. Oh, not to me. He hates me. But to poor little mutt of dog. A hound. Its bones stuck out like ridges. It couldn't have smelt meat for days"
 "A dog?" Sidney's interest quick ened.
 "Togi made a lot of that poor mutt. He fed it, even though MT. Langdon had never allowed a dog OIl IIle pldCe'
 You must be fond of dogs your self, if such an act would change your opinion of a man."
 "Oh. I like them well enough ' Barkes swallowed over the admis- sion. "A man who is good to animals doesn't kill for gain"
 How much had Murphy con- fided to Barkes? Had he told him about the little paw prints before the storeroom door? If the chauf- feur had that knowledge, he might be trying to tie Togi up with a dog instead of exonerating him. On the other hand, if the chauffeur spoke sincerely, it would argue for Togis innocence.
 eSilence again. More stars came out until the heavens had jeweled the dark leavings of the moon. But the beauty of the night instilled no peace in Henry Barkes, so far as Sidney could read. Objection ema- mated from him.
 Yet try as he would, Braitwood could not place the chauffeur with the murder gun in his hand. Why hadn't the poor devil come out into the open about his mysterious bun dle? What had it contained?
 The distant purr of an automo- bile aroused both men from painful thought.
 Another one of those state cops, I suppose" Barkes sgaid duly.
 Sidney consulted his watch. "It's rather late for visit; it's after midnight, though Plowman did say he'd be back"
 The headlights of police car pointed into the driveway and Plowman stepped out. The trooper on guard met him and after a few words of whispered conversation they crossed to Sidney and the chauffeur
 BarkeS rose. "You want to talk with MT Braitwood, Captain?" he said courteously.
 Mot so fast, Barkes," Plowman detained. him. we want you to go with us to headquarters tonight"
 i've told you everything I know" Barkes argued desperately, as the troopers fingers clamped his arm. q have to be here. I'll lose my job. Can they make me go, MT. Brait- wood?" He appealed to Sidney. q swear had nothing to do with the murder"
 I'm afraid they can, Barkes, :" the lawyer advised. Better not talk too much"
 "You1l talk plenty" Plowman broke in. "There are some things you may be able to explain, Barkes. Now about that package you hid in the tree :"
 That was my dog, just little Pom. I've had him for years" BarkeS stammered. q had him with me until MT. Langdon came home. Even Togi didn't know it. I took him to the inn, to the village. Yesterday he came back. I locked him in my rooms over the garage and took him to town with me. I thought lot of that dog"
 He paused, swallowed, then hur- ried on. "1'd driven as far as the first turn when I remembered Mr. Langdon had told me to take the electric percolator in to be repaired. It was in the storeroom. No one heard me in the storm. Not until I went down to the storeroom. Then, Miss Nella must have heard.
 T had taken off my rubbers, but the dogs feet were wet. I had to put hi mdown while I unlocked the door. ."
 What became of the dog?" Flow man demanded.
 T took him in to town, but the innkeeper wouldn't let me leave him. Said he disturbed the guests. barking. So I had to bring him back. I tied him behind the garage, but he got away. He's afraid in storms. %
 "He came back, though, jumped in the drawing room window and cuddled up beside me on the divan. I knew you had found the paw prints and I was afraid I'd be accused of the-of the shoot ing. figured if I could get him