SYNOPSIS Philo Vance, famous detective and John FF. X. Markham, district attorney for New York county are dining in Vance's apart. ment when Vance receives an anonymous telephone message informing him of a “‘dis- turbing psychological tension at Professor Ephriam Garden's apartment” advising that he read up on radio-active sodium, consult a passage in the Aeneid and coun- seling that “Equanimity is essential.” Pro- fessor Garden is famous in chemical re- search. The message, decoded by Vance, reminds him that Professor Garden's son Floyd and his puny cousin, Woode Swift, are addicted to horse-racing. CHAPTER I—Continued amis “You know this Floyd Garden well?” Vance nodded. “Fairly well. He's a member of the Far Meadows club and I've often played polo with him. He's a five-goaler and owns a couple of the best ponies in the country. I tried to buy one of them from him once—but that's beside the point. The fact is, young Garden has in- vited me on several occasions to join him and his little group at the apartment when the out-of-town races were on. It seems he has a direct loud-speaker service from all th® tracks, like many of the horse fanatics. The professor disapproves, in a mild way, but he raises no serious objections because Mrs. Garden is rather inclined to sit in and take her chances on a horse now and then.” ‘Have you ever accepted his in- vitation?’" asked Markham. **No,”” Vance told him. Then he glanced up with a far-away look in his eyes. an excellent idea.” “Come, come, Vance!” protested Markham. ‘Even if you see some cryptic relationship between the dis- connected items of this message you've just received, how, seriously?” rette and waited a moment before answering. ‘““You have overlooked one phrase in the message: ‘Equanimity is es- sential,” he said at length. “One of the great race-horses of today hap- pens to be named Equanimity. He belongs in the company of such im- mortals of the turf as Man o’ War, Exterminator, Gallant Fox, and Reigh Count. Handicap tomorrow." “Still I see ne reason to take the matter seriously,” Markham jected. Vance ignored the comment and added ‘‘Moreover, Doctor Miles Siefert told me at the club the other day that Mrs. Garden had been quite ill for some time with a mysterious malady.” Markham shifted in his chair and broke the ashes from his cigar. “The affair gets more muddled by the minute,” he remarked irrita- bly. ‘“What's the connection be- tween all these commonplace data and that precious phone message of yours?” He waved his hand con- temptuously toward the paper which Vance still held. “lI happen to know,” Vance an- swered slowly, “who sent me this message." “Ah, yes?” Markham was obvi- ously skeptical. “Quite. It was Doctor Siefert.” Markham showed a sudden in- terest. “Would you care to enlighten me as to how you arrived at this con- clusion?” he asked in a satirical voice. “It was not difficult,” Vance an- swered, rising and standing before the empty hearth, with one arm resting on the mantel. “To begin with, I was not called to the tele- phone personally. Why? Because it was some one I know. To continue, the language of the message bears the earmarks of the medical pro- fession. ‘Psychological tension’ and ‘resists diagnosis’ are not phrases ordinarily us»d by the layman, al- though they consist of commonplace enough words. To go another step; the message obviously gssumes that I am more or less acquainted with the Garden household and the race- track passion of young Garden. Therefore, we get the resuits that the sender of the message is a doc- tor whom I know and one who is aware of my acquaintance with the Gardens. The only doctor who ful- fills these conditions, and who, inci- dentally, is middle-aged and cul- tured and highly judicial—Currie's description, y'know — is Miles Siefert. And added to this simple deduction, I happen to know that Siefert is a Latin scholar—I once encountered him at the Latin so- ciety club-rooms. + Another point in my favor is the fact that he is the family physician of the Gardens and would have ample opportunity to know about the galloping horses— and perhaps about Equanimity in particular—in connection with the Garden household.” “That being the case,” Markham protested, ‘‘why don't you phone him and find out exactly what's back of his cryptography?” “My dear Markham — oh, my dear Markham! Siefert would not only indignantly repudiate any knowledge of the message, but would automatically become the first obstacle in any bit of pryin’ I might decide to do. The ethics of the medical profession are most fantastic; and Siefert, as becomes his unique position, is a fanatic on the subject. From the fact that he communicated with me in this roundabout way I rather suspect that some grotesque peint of honor is involved. Perhaps his conscience overcame him for the moment, and he temporarily relaxed his adher- ence to what he considers his code of honor . . No, no, that course wouldn't do at all. I must ferret out the matter for myself—as he undoubtedly wishes me to do.” “But what is this matter that you feel called upon to ferret out?’ per- sisted Markham. ‘‘Granting all you say, I still don't see how you can regard the situation as in any way serious." “One never knows, does one?” drawled Vance. “Still, I'm rather fond of the horses myself, don't y'know." Markham seemed to relax and fitted his manner to Vance's change of mood. ‘““And what do you propose to do?” he asked good naturedly. Vance looked up whimsically. ‘““The public prosecutor of New York—that noble defender of the rights of the common people—to wit: the Honorable John F-X. Mark- ham-—-must grant me immunity and protection before I'll consent to an- swer." Markham's eyelids drooped a lt- tle as he studied Vance. He was familiar with the serious import that often lay beneath the other's most frivolous remarks. “Are you planning to break the law?" he asked. “Oh, yes—quite,”” he admitted nonchalantly. ‘‘Jailable offense, I believe." Markham studied him for another moment, “All right,” he said, without the slightest trace of lightness. “I'll do What's it to Vance took another sip of the Napoleon. “Well, Markham old dear,” announced with a half smile, “I'm afternoon and play the horses with the younger set.” and he walked up and down the room pensively. “I don't like it, Van,” he mur- like it. Siefert isn't to make a mysterious phone call like that, unless he has a It's at all There must be The domestic atmosphere there has al- ways struck me as at least super- ficially normal-—-and now a man as dependable as Siefert gets jittery about it to the extent of indulging in shillin’-shocker technique. It's deuced queer.” He stopped pacing the floor and looked at the clock. “I think I'll make the arrange- ments. A bit of snoopin’ is highly indicated.” He went into the anteroom, and a moment later I heard him dialing a number on the telephone. When he returned to the library he seemed to have thrown off his de- pression. His manner was almost flippant. “We're in for an abominable lunch tomorrow, Van,” he announced, pouring himself another pony of cognac. "And we must torture our- selves with the viands at a most ungodly hour—noon. What a time to ingest even good food!" He sighed. “We're lunching vith young Garden at his home. Woode Swift will be there and also an insuffer- able creature named Lowe Hammle, a horsy gentleman from some obscure estate on Long Island. Lat- er we'll be joined by various mem- bers of the sporting set, and togeth- er we'll indulge in that ancient and fascinatin’ pastime of laying wag- ers on the thoroughbreds.” He rang for Currie and sent him out to fetch a copy of the Morning Telegraph. “One should be prepared. Oh, quite. It's been years since I handi- capped the horses.” Although I was well aware that Vance had some serious object in lunching with young Garden the fol- lowing day and in participating in the gambling on the races, I had not the slightest suspicion, at the time, of the horrors that were to follow. On the afternoon of April 14 occurred the first grim act of one of the most atrocious multiple crimes of this generation. And to Doctor Siefert must go, in a large measure, the credit for the identifi- cation of the criminal, for had he not sent his cryptic and would-be anonymous message to Vance, the truth would probably never have been known. 1 shall never forget that fatal Sat- urday afternoon. And aside from the brutal Garden murder, that aft. ernoon will always remain memor- able for me because it marked the first mature sentimental episode, so far as I had ever observed, in Vance's life. For once, the cold im- personal attitude of his analytical mind melted before the appeal of an attractive woman. CHAPTER II Shortly before noon the next day we arrived at Professor Garden's beautiful skyscraper apartment, and were cordially, and a little ex- uberantly, greeted by young Gar- den. Floyd Garden was a man in his early thirties, erect and athletically built. He was about six feet tall, with powerful shoulders and a slen- der waist, His hair was almost black, and his complexion swarthy. His manner, while easy and casual, and with a suggestion of swagger, was in no way offensive. He was not a handsome man: his features were too rugged, his eyes set too close together, his ears protruded too much, and his lips were too thin. But he had an undeniable charm, and there was a quiet sub- merged competency in the way he moved and in the rapidity of his mental reactions. “There are only five of us for lunch, Vance,” he remarked breezi- ly. ‘““The old gentleman is fussing with his test-tubes and Bunsen burn- ers at the university; the mater is having a grand time playing sick. But Pop Hammle is coming-—rum old bird, but a good sport; and we'll also be burdened with beloved cous- in Woode. You know Swift, I be- lieve, Vance. Queer crab, Woody.” He pondered a moment with a wry face. “Can't figure out just how he fits into this household. Dad and the mater seem inordinately fond of him-—sorry for him, perhaps; or maybe he's the kind of serious, sensitive guy they wish I'd turned out to be. I don't dislike Woode, but we have little in common ex- cept the horses. Only, he takes his betting too seriously to suit me —he hasn't much money, and his wins or losses mean a lot to him. Of course, he'll go broke in the end.” Vance had been watching Garden covertly during this rambling re- cital of domestic intimacies. “lI know you hate mysteries, and there's apt to be some funny things happening here this afternoon,” Garden continued. ‘“Woode has been acting queer for the past cou- ple of weeks, as if some secret sorrow was gnawing at his mind." "Any specific psychopathic symp- toms?" Vance asked lightly. ‘“No-0."” Garden pursed his lips and frowned thoughtfully. “But he's developed a curious habit of going as he's placed a large bet, and he remains there alone until the re- sult of the race has come through." “Nothing very unusual about that.” Vance made a deprecatory motion with his hand. “Many gam- blers, d' ye see, are like that.” “You're probably right,” Garden admitted reluctantly. “But I wish he'd bet moderately, instead of plunging like a fool whenever he's hot for a horse.” “By the by,” asked Vance, "why do you particularly look for strange occurrences this afternoon?" Garden shrugged. “The fact is,”’ he replied, after a short pause, “Woody's been losing heavily of late, and today's the day of the big Rivermont Handicap. 1 have a feeling he's going to put every dollar he's got on Equanimity, who'll undoubtedly be the favorite undisguised contempt. what's the use?” He looked up solemnly. LMOST any spring fashions. suit is trumps The great va- spiration to the designers, who have outdone themselves in creating ir- | resistible suits ranging in type from the most casual sports mod- el to the most formal dressmaker suits, The outstanding appeal of suits | this spring is their ingenious play { of contrast—the most fascinating | contrasts in weaves and in pattern- | ings, some plaided, some striped, others such as bright tweeds with multi-colored nubbings and other amazing novelty woolens, these contrasted with plain most fetch- ingly. The old story of mannish tailored suits several brand new twists greatly due to revived interest in fabrics that were your grandmother's fav- orites when she was a girl The old-fashioned, new-{ash- ioned twills which are showing such strong are as adaptable to dressmaker suits, which are fem their qua peplums and soft stitched lapels as they are to strictly classic tailleurs Gray, beige, postman blue and navy are favorites in twills. fashion now revival itdelf, with novelty patterned fabrics the call for bolero and Often the bolero, is of the solid answer eton jacket suits or some such jacket type, novelty wool topping lored dress of monotone weave These feminine devices in refresh- ingly versatile moods will be flour- ishing the entire season through and we've seen them with linings and | blouses in bright or pastel taffeta with either swing or full-pleated skirts. or to For planning a spring wardrobe, | the three-piece suit is a logical be- | ginning. By three-piece we mean any type suit or tailored wool dress you may choose plus a weather- resisting topcoat or a debonair cape (capes are so very smart) in a gor- geous woolen that accents color glory and weave to an exciting de- gree, Your suit choice may be delight- somely frivolous and youthful, stressing a perk jigger coat, (the young set adores this new type) es- pecially if it is of gay tapestry plaid woolen in colors of saddle-tan pictured Note the small collar and diagonal slas! The skirt in saddle-tan tweed has three stitcl in and the matching border- stitched tuxedo of the coat buttons down on either side of the collar Perhaps you prefer t ous fleece wool in sac a finger-tip swagger coat tens high neck wih usual leather clasp, as il The type ed gores fr i ront, at the usual to the left. suit itself has t | leather buttons down the front of jacket, because { are quite the rage this s In the model to the right the colo | contrast theory is we ningly in that the col jacket worn with this smart trimmings season leather | tip jacket-suit of men's wear f | nel, is of gray and red | with a red belt and ascot for ac- cents. Topped with its jaunty swag- ger coat in a gray herringbone wool the idea of using three contrasting wool weaves is demonstrated to a nicety. And so in conclusion, what- ever system you use, in a swank suit, you'll lead in fashion-rightness —and with finesse © Western Newspaper Union. check wo TAFFETA WITH NET By CHERIE NICHOLAS 2 got me worried. To tell you the truth, I'm glad you picked this day to sit in with us.” “Very interestin' situation, mented Vance. Equanimity. But I think you're too harsh, and I'm not convinced that he's a rail-lugger because of any innate passion for wood . But as you were sayin’, the psychologi- cal situation hereabout has you wor- ried. I gather there's a super- charged atmosphere round this charmin’ aerie.” “That's it, exactly,” Garden an- swered almost eagerly. ‘‘Super- charged is right. Nearly every day the mater asks, ‘How's Woody?’ And when the old gentleman comes home from his lab at night he greets me with a left-handed “Well, my boy, have you seen Woody to- day?’ ™ Vance made no comment on these remarks. Instead he asked in a pe- culiarly flat voice: “Do you consid- er this recent hyper-tension in the household due entirely to your cousin's financial predicament and his determination to risk all he has on tle horses?” Garden started slightly and then settled back in his chair. “No, damn it!” he answered a lit- tle vehemently. “And that's anoth- er thing that bothers me. A lot of the golliwogs we're harboring are due to Woode's cuckoo state of mind, but there are other queer in- visible animals springing up and down the corridors. I can’t figure it out. The mate ’s illness doesn’t make sense either. And there's fun- ny business of some kind going on among the gang that drifts in her nearly every afternoon to play * races. (TO BE CONTINUED Net enters into many phases of the mode this season, not the least important of which is its use for daytime dresses and for tailored themes, in contrast to its sprightly bouffancy for full-skirted frocks. The very goodlooking tail- ored afternnon dress here shown is of black net of bemberg yarn band- ACCESSORY NOTES ON SPRING STYLES Some of the trimmed frocks this spring are made of roses, blues and olive greens, brown cottons splashed with small play suits combining skirt, blouse Tucked bosoms and vests and pock- et accents whose stripes run con- trary to those in the blouse are have been borrowed for these fem- inine frocks. Accessories hold a bright spot in the spring style spotlight. Several accessory ensembles in patent leath- leather daisy boutonnieres and to wear with suits. Other accessory notes are twin boutonnieres to be worn on each lapel of a suit jacket. Sometimes they are rich carnations of the those worn in Tyrolean hats. Romantic Motif Marks New Gowns for Evening Wear Embodying the glamour of the era when Vienna danced to the rhythms of Johann Strauss’ immor- tal melodies, the new evening gowns recapture the flowerlike grace of a romantic century. Starched nets and chiffons, white and pastel colored organzas and stiffened laces are the most impor- tant fabrics and pastel colorings are stressed. Bodices for the most part are simple, many being adorned with big clusters of chiffon flowers in contrasting shades. Girdles are nar- row and emphasize slender waist (HR QUITE SENSITIVE The other day 1 heard of one of {these baby autos speeding 50 miles an hour on one of our main high- ways. And every 50 feet the little trinket would hop right up in the air about five feet. A motor cop finally overtook the midget motor and brought it to a stop. “What's the big idea of that car jumpin’ that a-way?' asked the cop. The driver answered: “Why, officer, there's nothing wrong with the car. You see, [I've got hic—the hiccups!'’'—Vancouver Province. Atmosp.aere “Take this down,” ordered the “One-eyed Jake tip-toed stealthily across the shop floor and paused. Resting one hand on the counter, he listened in- tently. All was still as death; you could have heard a cough-drop.” “Is this a funny asked the secretary. “You mean heard a ‘pin drop,” don’t you?" “Write ‘cough-drop’ and don’ gue,” said author, “‘tt glary is in wt story ar- the 11s bur- a drug store.” ACCOMMODATING “You say Harry proposed to you last evening?” " “Oh, my! 1 proposed to him to- day and he accepted me.” Turn About He stood regarding aged motor “Oh, said, “turn about is fair play.’ “What do you mean by that?” asked the other man who had stopped to look on. “Why," exclaimed the motor owner, ‘it broke me first oe cester, England, Journal the badly well,” he car. cars "Glou- Not a Hoot Gus—The horn on your car must be broken. X.—No, Gus—Indifferent! mean? Mr. X.—It just doesn’t give a hoot. Annapolis Log Mr indifferent. do you is’ srr its just What Cure Voice Over Phone.—I can't sleep, Doctor. Can you do anything for me? Doctor—Hold the phone and I'H sing you a Ilullaby.—Sheboygan Press. HIGHBROWS First Mouse—I'm very fond of Dickens! Second Mouse—I find encyclope- dias more to my taste! Just Because A young man took his grandmoth- er to the pictures. After ten min- {utes the old lady wanted to go out. “The seat’'s so uncomfortable,” she complained. “No wonder,” he exclaimed. | “You haven't turned it down." Back Again | “At twenty you left the farm and came to the city. And for 25 years you've been working very hard. What for?” “To get meney to live in the cotn- try.” No Return “What did she do when he broke off their engagement?” “Oh, she just duag her engage- ment ring on to her right hand and stalked out.” Impossible Judge — What possible excuse could you have for acquitting the prisoner? Foreman-—Insanity, sir. Judge—What, all twelve of you? ~Omaha World-Herald. Poor Old Grammar! Pedagogue (high-hat for teacher) —Why is it wrong for me to say, “I have went?" Scholar—On account =f you're still here, Ped.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers