The Wilmington morning star., 1940-05-04
P8af5<uE KILLER Spears
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READ THIS FIRST:

READ THIS FIRST:
I. Bill Strickland, am suspected
In the murder of my friend, Alfree
While Coroner Silver examines tht
Markham, rich young jeweler, at
party in a riverside clubhouse
place in the garden where the body
was found, Captain of Detective:
Clyde Mcdonald questions mem
bers and guests in the main club
room.
Captain Mcdonald dropped into
one of the overstuffed chairs ane
growled at St. Clair. "Are you
officer in this club?" >.
II am president.
St. Clair selected Setee ano
was about to light a cigaret wher
the police officer stopped him.
mo, not there. Stand by the
fireplace where we can all see and
hear you"
A slight flush pinked St. Clair
cheeks, but he rose and stood as
directed.
Il want to know more about the
building" Captain Mcdonald told
him. Gould anyone get into the
rear court without going through
the glass doors?"
The captains eyes were narrow.
He'd forgotten his former se1-con'
seriousness. He'd become the blood
hound on the trail.
I realized why he had asked St.
Clair to stand in front Of the fire.
place. From where he stood St.
Clair could not help but look c~
rectly at those glass doors, and
since one of them stood open he
would have clear view Of the spot
the coroner was examining-the
place where Alfred Markham S
body had lain.
The fireplace therefore was an
excellent place to stand a man to
study his reactions, if there was
any suspicion that he might be con-
nected with the Staying. I couldn't
see, however, that any suspicion
could be attached to St. Clair.
''The clubhouse extends from
side to side Of the peninsula" St.
Clair said in reply to the question.
There is a narrow walk around it,
but at high tide the water comes
right up to the foundation. There
is a very high tide tonight"
''How do you know the tide is
high?"
"Why, why-I noticed it was up
over the walks"
''Oh, I see.''
St. Clair hurried on, recovering
his sef-assurance. There is no
other door opening out into the
court except those doors at the
foot of the stairs. OF course a per.
son could walk around the building
if he didn't mind getting his feet
wet, and there are plenty of win.
dows, but they are all locked"
Locked from the inside?"
eyes"
Then there is no reason win
dow couldn't be unlocked by per.
son inside, who wanted to get ou
into the court?''
''N-no."
That's all I wanted to know
Thank yo.., Mr.. Montcalm, I'd like
to ask you a few questions. Please
take Mr.. st. Clair's place."
Jerry plainly was nervous as hi
stood up before us all. Part of il
may have been his natural bash
fulness, because he was still
scarcely more than a boy, but hi:
eyes refused to look toward the
doorway into the court. Instead
they fastened on me as sort o.
refuge. I tried to encourage him
with a smile, but it was a sicl
smile, because I was thinking
would be in his place soon.
when did you last see Alfred
Markham alive?" the captain ask
ed quickly.
Poor Jerry went pale. q
guess it was when looked out tn,
door and saw him standing looking
up at the moon. He and Bill hat
been quarreling. II He stopped
short, biting his lip. He hadn't in
tended to drag me into it.
The captain raised his eye
brows. "Oh, so Mr.. Strickland wa
out in the garden with him?'
His paws clamped on the cigar.
mo, he was just comm
in. He came in and went upstairs
He didn't come downstairs agai
until-until after we found Al
dead"
$50 you think he was upstair
when Markham was stabbed?"
Bella LANAN-COURT RI