Evening star., 1941-10-18

below. Strasson went away and de-
cided to leave the country.
Then Shirley came, having
bribed her way out WITH money sent
to her mysteriouSy. And for the
murderer's purpose, she chose the
right night to run away"
You are wrong, Mr.. Franklin, "
Mrs. Fowler said quietly. Il sent
Mrs. Harrington the money"
L thought you had. You were
the only one who knew where she
was, and both Shirley and Jane
agreed that Mr.. Harrington would
not do such thing.
The Motive.
Mrs. Harrington, seeing the light
came in the library door, too, nc
doubt, and sat on the settee, gazing
at her dead husband and wadding
up her handkerchief, which we later
found. Then she left for the Back
rack home and some time later
Felicity stumbled into the dark
room and found him. Mrs. Tar
rington and turned off the light"
Franklin leaned back in his chair
and lighted a cigarette Now that
is what happened, with only one
detail omitted"
If he had been playing for un-
divided attention he had it then
He smiled 'Well?"
Blackjack spoke "As a lawyer
I have listened closely to your case
Mr.. Franklin. You have given nc
definite motive"
I have not given the motive fol
which Harrington was killed"
/ He reached into his pocket. 81
have here the final bit of evidence
/ which I needed to SubStantiate my
case. The character and peculiar
habits of the murderer were what
first attracted my attention in view
Of several odd points of evidence
in this room"
ShirleyS lips were parted. James
eyes bright and hard. Only Mrs
Fowler remained Indifferent.
Harrington married a girl some
five or six years ago. Shortly after
he got control of her money, she
died under strange circumstances
Then he married Shirley Heming
way Trent, also a young, beautiful
rich widow. His pattern was, rough.
ly. the same. though his method,
differed slightly.
Mrs. Fowler Franklin ad-
dressed her suddenly. would YOU
bring me that candy jar over
there?' He indicated a jar on a low
table across the room.
Mrs. Fowler Named.
Marian Fowler rose and picked
up the candy dish from the low
table, holding it in her fingers neal
the top Of the bowl
Is that the way you handled the
humidor. Mrs. Fowler after you
had killed your son-in-law and re-
placed the gun in the draWer?" he
asked softly.
A gasp ran around the room. anc
widened eyes stared from Franklin
TO Mrs. Fowler She stood in front
of the detective, holding the candy
| jar in her fingers. She set the dish
carefully down on the table
That remarkable trait of yours
Mrs. Fowler Franklin went on in
a low voice. "of ne2tness, of setting
everything in its proper place. was
| what first attracted my attention tc
you. Then 1 tested YOU earlier.
purposely disarranged a chair be-
fore l sent for you. Characteristic
cally, you placed the chair where
1t belonged, since it obviously was
not then being used"
Marian Fowler's head was high
her face as composed as ever.
What more unconscious gesture
could there be than to replace the
humidor on the mantel when Tar
rington would no longer have use
for it? Or to replace the gun in its
usual drawer?"
But Mrs Fowler isn't my moth
er," said Shirley in a beWlldered
voice.
No, but she is the mother of the
unfortunate woman who died SC
conveniently on a Western cliff
At that soft statement from
Franklin, Marian Fowler threw her
head back. He wasn't going tc
do it again. Not a second time"
Perhaps you better sit here
Mrs. Fowler, and tell us about it..
The housekeeper sat regally in the
chair Franklin indicated. Admira
ton for her magnificent composure
the striking nobility of her express
sion. showed in even FrankIin's face
The Pocket Did 1t.
There is not much to tell. Tar
rington married my daughter ano
namesake, Marian Fowler Great
wood, without my knowledge. Then
she sent for me to come out West
didn't get there in time, but
Henry hushed up her death. II
wasn't until later that I understood
BY then 1 had taken up my post
as his houSekeeper. I had no money
of my own. Henry had seen to
that" she said with bitterness ting
ing her voice for the first time
"Oh, he had a way with women
when he wanted. Even was fooled
at first"
Then when you demonstrated
he pointed out your own guilt as
accessory after the fact?" Franklin
asked. She nodded.
Nothing could bring back my
daughter, but at least I could pre-
vent his doing it again.
Shirley stretched out her hand
and took Marian's into hers. You
were always very good to me-" she
said simply. But to do so much:
. - Her voice broke
Miss Felicity here thought I was