Page 83 (1/1)

The one as enough to start Lizzie off on another trail of distrust "He may be a LAWYER--" she quoted to herself sepulchrally fro newspaper article that had dealt with the mysterious identity of the Bat

"And you came here to telephone about your car?" persisted the detective

Dale rose froh "Oh, don't you see--he's trying to protectman "It's no use, Mr Beresford"

Beresford's air of flippancy vanished

"I see," he said He turned to the other, frankly "Well, the plain truth is--I didn't know the situation and I thought I'd play safe for Miss Ogden's sake"

Miss Cornelia ly She put a hand on Dale's shoulder to reassure her But Dale was quite coh so many shocks already that one more or less seemed to make very little difference to her overwearied nerves She turned to Anderson cal about--this," she said, indicating Beresford "He brought Mr Fle here in his car--that's all"

Anderson looked to Beresford for confirmation

"Is that true?"

"Yes," said Beresford He started to explain "I got tired of waiting and so I--"

The detective broke in curtly

"All right"

He took a step toward the alcove

"Now, Doctor" He nodded at the huddle beneath the raincoat Beresford followed his glance--and saw the ominous heap for the first time

"What's that?" he said tensely No one answered him The Doctor was already on his knees beside the body, drawing the raincoat gently aside Beresford stared at the shape thus revealed with frightened eyes The color left his face

"That's not--Dick Fle--is it?" he said thickly Anderson slowly nodded his head Beresford seeround," said the Doctor in a low voice to Anderson, "I'll ht hand fluttered swiftly over Fle's still, clenched fist--extracted from it a torn corner of paper

Still Beresford did not seem to be able to take in what had happened He took another step toward the body

"Do you an Anderson silenced hiot there, Doctor?" he said in a still voice

The Doctor, still on his knees beside the corpse, lifted his head

"What do you 's hand," said the detective

"I took nothing out of his hand," said the Doctor firrew peremptory