* * *
Detective Griffith laughed good-naturedly. The wandering talk of the reporter pleased him — for it was drawing the conversation from a touchy point; namely the shots that killed Frank Jarnow.
With his newly found clues, the star detective was anxious to avoid any interview concerning the murder. So he interrupted suddenly, taking advantage of Bolton’s reference to a knife.
“Did you ever see any one use a knife?” he asked.
The reporter shook his head.
“You don’t know anything about it then,” continued Griffith. “Stabs don’t have to come from in back. Look at this.”
He lowered his right hand to his side, and half clenched his fist, indicating an imaginary knife. Then he swung his arm forward, and upward, directly toward the reporter’s body. Bolton stepped back nervously, and turned half away, to avoid the sweep of the detective’s arm.
“That’s the system,” said Griffith. “One thrust like that, and it’s all over — if the man knows how to do it.”
The detective was standing with his right arm still outstretched, a knowing smile on his face, as though pleased with his demonstration.
“Like this,” replied the reporter suddenly. He swung toward the detective, and his right hand shot upward from beneath his coat, in exact duplication of Griffith’s movement. But Bolton’s arm was swifter, and amazingly sure in aim.