Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1943-11-19

were about to require him to identify
the slayer"
eyes, of course"
Undoubtedly Pedro knows who
the slayer isl
Il believe so, gentlemen"
I'VE understand that he fled last
night to the mountains"
"Ah, so?" Lombardo's eyebrows
shot upward. "You know that too?"
eyes, from the mans wife. You
OF course, have questioned herr"
"Of certainty, senior. Already
the order has been given to bring
the man back from the mountains"
ut would be helpful, gentlemen"
he said carefully, eff you could pro-
vide us with additional motives to
be put with those we already have
when 1t comes to the trial.
"You-" he began hesitantly. "Is
it possible you have reached a de-
cision, senor?"
I'VE have made the arrest, this
morning. The murderer is now in
custody, gentlemen. would appre-
clate it If you could supply, perhaps,
additional motives, although what
we have are ample, I am sure"
We both were silent, stunned a
little at this announcement of an ar
rest in the case so early, before
even Pedro had been returned to
Mazatlan.
MAY we ask, senior" began
Rogers.
"Of course" Lombardo replied,
his white even teeth showing in
magnificent smile. Il have arrest
ed Senior Reed Barton
"Barton!" l exclaimed.
eyes, Senior Madison. 1t was not
difficult to discover the fact that he
is guilty. There was the testimony
OF Pedro last night; not testimony in
SO many words, gentlemen, but by
his actions. He was terrified of hav-
ing to identify the murderer who
was at the moment re-enacting the
role before our eyes"
But" Rogers attempted to pro-
test Lombardo ignored the effort
courteously.
moreover, senores, yesterday Sc
nor Barton and Senior Chesebro
quarreled violently in the Office of
the mining company. Senior Barton
was discharged; there were threats
exchanged. The quarrel was over
Senorlta Chatfield. All this has been
told us by Senior Costello, the clerk
IN the office, vino was a Witness
Reed Barton was sitting in his
cell smoking a cigarette with the
air OF one upon whom has descended
a vast and philosophic calm. His
dark blue eyes indicated that there
mad been no strain, no loss of sleep.
His handclasp through the bars of
his cell was vigorous and warm, and
he looked at us with faint express
sion of amusement at our concern
for his predicamcnt.
Il didn't dream, Reed" l said,
when we parted at Sam Chatfield's
last night, that we would find you
here this morning"
Neither did I, Barry. Mexico not
only is land of romance, but, in
the threadbare observation, anything
can happen in it,
and does, apparently" re-
marked Huntoon Rogers, wry
twist to his lips. I'm sorry that
this has happened, Reed. 1t is much
too soon to make an arrest"
We spoke in English, to which
the guard lounging near by paid no
attention.
"When were you arrested, Reed?"
inquired.
"At the very moment when l was
sleeping my best, just before sun
rise. They came knocking on my
door, made me dress and brought
me here
But they haven't anything in the
! way of evidence that a good attor-
ney couldn't shoot holes through-at
least, back home it would be So"
l said.
Reed cooked his head and looked
at me. This is different, Barry"
he remarked. Il don't know what
they've got. EXccOt for one thing
the police picked Ap a paper knife
in my room while l was dressing.
1t seemed to have its effect"
Yes, it was a small, thin-bladed
weapon that killed Chescbro. But
there's more than that, of course"
Rogers explained. ''Lombardo
seems to have been swaycd a great
deal by what clerk in your office
told about you and Chesebro quar-
reling."
"Costillo?" said Reed. He would,
of course. We did have quite 60
the Chief and l. l guess l told you
about it, Barry. We unloaded every
thing we had been storing up for
each other for several months.
Chiefly concerning Elsa, you know;
but, even if I do say it. he rather
started talking about Elsa. Down
here, of course, things like that
amount to fighting words"
Steps along the corridor interrupt