Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1944-01-07
CHAPTER XVII

fldeuedly all, ne Sdlu. 1 uiitih
II we were to sort them out properly
we could 60 long way toward a
solution. Perhaps not all the way.
We can settle upon several peril
nent faets-clues that point toward
the solution"
What are they?"
Rogers was silent for some mo-
ments, turning over in his mind
the answer to my question. I'll
name one thing" he began. 1T is
more important than any other
the picture Of Elsa and the baby in
the Los Angeles paper" He did not
60 on for some moments, then he
said: What Chesebro did or said
to Elsa that SO enraged her inter-
ests me very much too. The knife
that killed Chesebro is a clue I'd
like TO discover"
Are those all?" asked when he
ceased speaking.
He did not reply at once. felt
that something had come over him,
some new thought had struck him.
In the darkness that shrouded US
could sense that he was vitality
alive to something, some new phase
Of our problem which had electrified
him. l waited with growing i'm
patience. afraid to startle him with
any word Of mine.
"Barry-the black sombrero!" he
said suddenly. He didn't speak again
for several moments. then he said:
There's an amazing story here! In.
erediblel see it only dimly yet"
What Is it,"
Il can't tell you now. I may be
wrong. II l am don't want to
distort your perspective so that
you will miss the solution too"
us anyone In danger?"
NO." he answered, almost as II
had startled him with my ques-
ton. Il believe that all danger
Of that sort is past II I'm right
the whole bloody business is at an
end. You and land Lombardo,
though-at present are mere boys
peeping through knothole. We are
like onlookers who would see
through the high fence that sur
rounds the arena where the tragic
show has taken place. A knothole
won't do. We've got to break through
the fence. or wen never know what
happened"
"Yes, perhaps. but"
Lets 60 inside for little WHILE"
he said calmly. getting up.
Inside Berta. Margaret and
Dwight were attempting . three
handed game Of bridge-killing slow
time, ~ 1t were, In the hope that
tomorrow would be 4 brighter day.
Rogers. now that I could observe
him in the light Of the living room
lamps, betrayed none Of that impul-
sive energy which in the darkness
fancied he possessed. He was as
casual as II he had tired of being
out Of doors and had come inside
for company. He walked about the
table, examining the cards each of
the players held. Margaret was
playing the hand. She fnessed
through Dwight.
Sonora" began Rogers address
ing Berta abruptly, did you not
come ashore from the Orizaba that
evening prior to our fishing trip"
Eyes, senor," she replied after a
moments hesitation But only to
the-the muelle-the wharf, with Ar
turo."
"Yes?"
ut is because I have forgotten a
promise, senior, to my husband. /
should bring his fishing things, his
harness, and his belt and knife. And
! forgot. When I remember 1t l 60
ashore to find somebody to send
with a note to the rancho for them. !"
did you find someone?"
"Oh, yes. Two boys. ! send them
In a taxi"
did you wait for their return?"
mo, senior. I 60 back to the boat
and Arturo brings the things to me
later"
did you see Senior Rumble on
the wharf, senora?"
mo, senior. see no one"
what time was it,"
THAT do not know, senior. ! do
not think it Is very late"
Thank you"
The cards by now we're aban-
doned and the players moved to
more comfortable chairs. Doctor
Cruz appeared in the doorway and
behind him Lombardo. They came
in and we greeted them. won.
dered what their mission was. Rog.
ers continued to stand His gaze
was restless; he seemed to fix upon
Elsa's small black hat, which still
lay on the table against the wall,
with sort Of satisfaction, although
couldn't understand why.
ELSA has retired?" he inquired
"Oh, no; she and Reed are around
somewhere" Margaret answered
In the study, | think" Dwight
added.
Did you want Elsa for some.