Arkansas State press., 1943-11-05

had been revealed. At length Elsa
interrupted.
Were wasting the evening,
Hunt" she said, getting to her feet
and imploring him with her eyes to
quit and let us 60 outside. For from
out of doors came the sound Of mu-
sic. Of dancing feet. of voices lifted
in song. The members Of the house,
hold, grown tired Of waiting for the
signal to start, we're already trying
their skill.
IAN right, Elsa" Rogers yielded
with a smile, ION the condition that
l may question any n Of you later,
il it is necessary TO clear up cloudy
points"
, "Of course" Sam Chatfeld
agreed, "And l thank you, Mr.. Rog.
ers. You've managed to throw light
into several dark corners. II at any
time ! can be Of service to you,
please command me-"
Rogers reply was lost in the gen.
eral movement OF the group to the
scene of the festivities in the open
courtyard. just beyond the patio wall
where a low platform had been
built over hollow jars to magnify
the sound of the nimble feet and
clicking heels.
"Oh, senora," Rogers detained
Berta as the others moved out OF
the room.
Eyes, senor," Berta replied, paus-
Ing e~xpectantly and looking up at
the tall figure which lowered above
her.
This morning." Rogers began.
near the stables ar old dog was
put to death with chloroform. I was
told that you gave the drug to the
man for that purpose. Is that true?"
A blank look greeted Rogers ques-
ton. For a moment Berta contin-
ued to stare upward at her ques-
toner.
mo, it is not true" she said sud-
denly. II know nothing about any
chloroform. 1t is unthinkable that
such a drug would be on the rancho,
senor."
Thank you, senora," said Rog-
ers, and he bowed to her.
George Rumble caught up with
me as ! strolled through the patio
in the direction Of the dancing plat
form. He put his hand on my arm
and walked several steps with me
before remarking:
you know, Barry, Hunts got me
to thinking the same as he does.
Somebody SURF as heck croaked that
old gal back in Pasadena. But why
does Reed Barton want to lie about
it? | amt wrong. I'm not lying.
saw him; and I don't forget a
face. He acted like he was scared
to death-runnin' down the side
walk. l think he got into a car down
around the corner that night. Be-
cause there was n pulled out In
about the time it would take for him
to run there, get in and drive off,"
Anyway, George" I said, ITS
up to you to prove it. Margaret
says she didn't see who It was;
Reed says you're lying. Who is 60
Ing to believe your"
you know WHAT" George Rum
Bile said emphatically. Il think the
old lady was dead when Barton a
out of the house"
"You may be right"
"You know"-he paused, as we
reached the grilled doorway to the
open courtyard, III bet I could
that thing down-fnd out who killed
that woman" Someone passed us In
the darkness, and Rumble reached
out to detain him. "Chatfield, I was
just telling Barry that / think I
could figure out who killed your sis
ter. I'm going to try it, anyhow"
we'll wish you success, Mr..
Rumble" replied Sam Chatfield
~courteously. Don't you want to
come on out into the plaza now? I'll
find you a seat. We've got some In
teresting dancers among the work.
ers on the rancho. They are put.
ting on most Of the show for us.
A few people may come out from
town to join in or to watch, as they
feel like it."
Sure, we're coming. It's bust
ness with me. I'm always looking
for talent. I new know where I
might find something or somebody I
can promote-like I have Elsa"
There's a Yaqui dance just get
ting started. You mustn't miss IT,"
Rumble and I found seats on a
bench in an enlarged circle under
the open sky. There was an air of
festivity pervading the crowd. The
air was heavy with perfume drift
ing down upon US on the soft night
air. A burst Of frecrackers star.
tied the edge Of the crowd. but they
soon popped themselves out. The
odor Of cooking came from the
kitchen where In the ruddy glow Of
charcoal fires women still we're pat.
ting tortillas.
Two men on the platform we're do
ing the Coyote Dance. To the beat
ing of n flat drum md tho rh,pt.