The Ypsilanti daily press., 1946-01-05
CHAPTER TwENTY-E1GHT

SF1AE Ell w EN- ElSE1A
NEVILLE STRANGE looked pale
and worried. but much less nervous
than he had been at the breakfast
table. Battle eyed him keenly. In
credible that a man who knew
and he must know II he were cap
able OF any thought processes ct all
that he had left his fingerprints
on the instrument OF the crime
and who had since had his finger
prints taken by the police-should
neither show intense nervousness
or else an elaborate brazening OF it
out.
Neville Strange looked quite nat
ural-shocked, worried, grieved-
and just slightly and healthily uer-
Vous.
Jim Leach was speaking In his
pleasant West country voice.
we would like you to answer
certain questions. Mr.. Strange.
Both as to your movements last
night and in reference TO particular
facts. At the same time ' must eau
ton you that you are not bound to
answer these questions unless you
like, and that II you prefer 10 do
SO you may have your solicitor
present"
He leaned back to observe the
effect Of this
Neville Strange looked. quite
plainly. bewildered.
He hasn't the least idea what
we're getting at. or else he's a
darned good actor" Leach thought
TO himself. Aloud he said. as Neville
did not answer. We'll, Mr.
Stranger"
Neville said:
"of course. ask me anything you
like"
You realize" said Battle pleas
antly, that anything you say will
be taken down in writing and may
subsequently be used in a court Of
law in evidence"
A fash of temper showed on
Strange's face. He said sharply:
Are you threatening me?"
mo, no, Mr.. Strange. Warning
you"
Neville shrugged his shoulders.
Il suppose all this Is part OF your
routine Go ahead"
you are ready to make a state
ment?"
IF that's what you call it."
Then will you tell US exactly
what you did last night. From din
ner onwards. shall we say?"
Certainly. After dinner we went
into the drawing room. We had cof-
fee. We listened to the wireless
the news and so on. Then l decided
TO go across to Easterhead Bay ho-
tel and look up a chap who Is stay.
ing there-a friend Of mine"
That friends name is?"
'Latimer Edward Latimer.-
AN intimate friend ?"
"Oh. so. so. We've seen a good
deal Of him since he's been down
here. He's been over to lunch and
dinner and we've been over there"
Battle said:
Rather late, wasn't II. TO 60 OF
to Easterhead Bay?"
"oh, it's a gay spot-they keep
il up till all hours"
But this Is rather an early to
bed household, isn't IT."
Yes. on the whole. However, I
took the latchkey with me- Nobody
had 10 sit up"
Your wife didn't think OF going
with you?"
There was slight change, a stif.
fening. in Nevile's tone as he said.
NO, she had a headache. Shed
already gone up to bed"
please 60 on. Mr. Strange"
! was just going up to change"
Leach interrupted:
Excuse me, Mr.. Strange Change
into what? Into evening dress or
out Of evening dress ,"
Neither ! was wearing a blue
suit-my best, as Il happened, and
as 1t was raining a DIT and l pro-
posed 10 take the ferry and walk
the other side-it'i about half a
mile, as you know--I changed into
an older suit-a gray pin stripe, II
you want 70 go into every detail"
We do like 10 get things clear"
said Leach humbly. please go on"
! was going upstairs. as | say.
when Hurstall came and told me
I.lHN T'rFeaITFsv % tsr.-FrN - -. -.