Page:The achievements of Luther Trant - Balmer and MacHarg - 1910.djvu/80

58 examinations with Kanlan, and probably with the rest also, you have ruined the value of those things you have there for any proper test, by exhibiting them with threats again and again. That was why I had to make the test I did. I tell you once more that Kanlan is not the murderer of Bronson. And I am glad to be able to tell Miss Allison the same thing, as I promised her, at the very earliest moment." He picked up the telephone receiver and gave the Allisons' number. But suddenly the receiver was wrenched from his hand.

"Not yet," Inspector Walker commanded. "You'll tell Miss Allison nothing until we know more about this case."

"I don't ask you to release Kanlan yet, inspector," Trant said quietly. Crowley laughed offensively. "That is, not until I have proved for you the proper man in his place." He drew a paper from his pocket. "I cannot surely name him yet; but picking the most likely of them from what I read, I advise you to rearrest Caylis."

Crowley, throwing himself into a chair, burst into loud laughter. "He chose Caylis, Sweeny, did you hear that?" Crowley gasped. "That's in the same class as the rest of your performance, young fellow. Say, I'm sorry not to be able to oblige you," he went on, derisively, "but, you see, Caylis was the only one of the whole sixteen who couldn't have killed Bronson; for he was with me—talking to me—in the station, from half past one that morning, half an hour before the murder, till half past two, a half hour after!"

Trant sprang to his feet excitedly. "He was?"