Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-04-06
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

HE lrOlu SuSp4ClolI- eliIiioNS
captain and coroner were so con
trary in their opinions that the po
lice might try to convict me now
just for spite-but was sure ina
Jerry was still a suspect. He was
in deeper than ever. And Jerry
was just a boy, incapable OF muir
der, knew.
I freed myself from Belzer anc
Mcclure as the crowd milled ou'
the door, grabbed Jerry by an arm
and separated him from Murlei
There's a cab around the corner,
I told him.
whats the idea" His face was
haggard. .
"Muriel," 1 explained, lis half
hysterical already. She has some
crazy idea. Anyway, her
mother will take care of her." In
fact, Mrs. Benson already was do
ing a gooG job of it, despite
Muriels protests. I don't think
Mrs. Benson approved of Jerry.
T got Jerry into the cab and told
the driver to let us out at McKin-
ley park. II want a chance to tell
you that I'm going to help you all
I can," I promised my friend.
We've got to get you a good law
yer and decide what to do"
There's no evidence left, except
evidence against me-"
Don't worry about it, Jerry,
Look where I stood half an hour
ago! If you hadn't testified that Al
was alive when I went upstairs,
I'd be looking at the electric chair
right now. A trial would be mere
formality."
And so you think"
II think I owe you lot, and I'm
giving to see you out of this fix if
it's the last thing I do"
TITS going to be awfully hard on
Muriel."
She'll stick by you. And just
because her family thinks you're
too poor doesn't mean that
they'll"
IT'S a good excuse to separate
U.S."
But it's only circumstantial evil
dence that they have against you,"
I protested. Just because you
were the first to FIND the body"
isn't that enough? And don't
. forget that I knew he had the dia-
monds on him. They can say I
killed him for the diamonds, and
then couldn't find them"
Don't be fool! Any jury"
"You can't depend on juries. And
suppose the jury did free me. It
would be just their opinion. Until
the real murderer is found there
would always be that suspicion
against me. I never could live it
down. Not until the murderer
CHAPTEk TWENTY-SIX
"WHY-WHY," I stammered,
"they've gone off and left you!"
"I'm not going to that police sta
ton! think it's shameful" Miss
Markham told me. George is too
quick to jump to conclusions. I
tried to make him wait, but he
wouldn't listen"
"Then you don't think Jerry is
guilty."
IT don't think anyone should
form an opinion-yet. We don't
know enough" She buried her face
in her hands. ooh, it's awful" she
sobbed. Poor Alfred! Do other
innocent people have to suffer,
too?"
"Then you do think Jerry's inno-
cent?"
She looked up. Her eyes were
full of tears.
I'm sorry" I told her. Lets
not talk about it. Can I call a cab
to take you home?"
A voice from the doorway inter-
rupted us. "Hey, there, Butch!
think we've got something here
Come on in and take a look"
It was Belzer of The Morning
Eagle. I supposed he had come
from the inquest with the Mark
hams and had been shopping in
side the house.
what is it," I asked.
IT think I've found the weapon,
or where it came from, anyway"
Louise stepped toward him. re-
strained her with a hand on her
arm. please! Let me call a cab"
I repeated.
She shook her head. IF you are
trying to spare my feelings, thank
you, Mr.. Strickland-but II must |
see what he has discovered"
Alta girl" Belzer applauded
her. Come upstairs, both of
you"
We followed him into an entry
that Smelled of mOthDallS, ana up |
stairs covered with thread-hare |
red carpet to the second floor.
Jerry's bedroom was at the back.
I had been there often. Belzer went |
straight to it, and my jaw tight
ened with indignation when 1 saw
that my friends personal belong
ings had been pulled out of closets
and drawers and spread in disar-
ray over his bed.
1--WE didn't have much time"
Belzer said. 1.-THE police missed
something interesting that I found
later in a shoe box. I'm surprised
he didn't hide it better"
He lifted the lid of the card
boards box and trirmphantly dis
played a dozen large knives. The
kind used by knife throwers," he
Look at those blades!
Think what a weapon one of those