by S.S. VAN DINE Copyright 8. 8. Van Dine WNU Service a CHAPTER X-—Continued i a. “Not now. No,” Vance returned. “A little bromin gas a few minutes ago; but the air will be clear in a little while. No casualties. Every one doing well . . Did you want to see me?” Garden looked round at the group on the roof with a puzzled air. “Awfully sorry to interrupt you, Vance; but the fact is, I came for the doctor.” His eyes rested on Sie- fert, and he smiled dryly. “It's the usual thing, doc,” he said. ‘The mater seems almost in a state of collapse—she assured me that she badn’t an ounce of strength left.” A worried look came into Siefert's eyes. “I'll come at once, of course,” he said. He looked at the nurse and then lifted his gaze to Vance. “Will you excuse me?” Vance bowed. ‘Certainly, doc- tor. But I think Miss Beeton had better remain here in the air for a while longer.” Siefert left the roof reluctantly, with Garden following him. Vance watched them until they turned through the door of the pass- ageway; then he spoke to the nurse. ‘“‘Please sit here a few minutes, Miss Beeton. I want to have a talk with you. But first I'd like a minute or two with Mr. Hammle."” The nurse nodded her assent and sat down a little wearily on the set- tee. Vance beckoned curtly to Hammle. ‘‘Suppose we go inside for a moment.” Hammle rose with alacrity. “I was wondering how much longer you gentlemen were going to keep me here.” Vance led the way into the study, and Markham and I followed be- hind Hammle. “What were you doing on the roof, Mr. Hammle?"” asked Vance. "I told you some time ago, after our brief interview, that you might go.” Hammle fidgeted. He was pat- ently apprehensive and wary. “There's no crime in going out into the garden for a while— is there?” he asked with unimpres- sive truculence. “None whatever,” Vance re- turned casually. ‘I was wonderin’ why you pre going home. been happening in the garden this afternoon.” “As 1 told you, 1 wish 1 had gone. How did I know-—?"" *““That's hardly the point, Mr. Hammle.” Vance cut him short. ““It doesn’t answer my question.” “Well now, look here,” Hammle explained fulsomely; "1 had just missed a train to Long Island, and it was more than an hour until the next one. When I went out of here and started to go downstairs, I sud- denly said to myself, ‘It'll be pleas- anter waiting in the garden than in the Pennsylvania station.’ out on the roof and hung around. And here I am.” Vance regarded the man shrewd- ly and nodded his head. “Yes, as you say. Here you are. More or less in evidence. By the by, Mr. Hammle, what did you see while you were waiting in the gar- den for the next train?” “Net a thing -— absolutely!” Hammle’s tone was aggressive. “1 walked along the boxwood hedges, smoking, and was leaning over the parapet by the gate, looking out at the city, when I heard you come out carrying the nurse.” Vance narrowed his eyes: it was obvious he was not satisfied with Hammle’s explanation. “And you saw no one else either in the garden or on the terrace?” ‘Not a soul,” the man assured him. “And you heard nothing?” “Not until you gentlemen came out.” Vance stood regarding Hammle for several moments. Then he turned and walked toward the gar- den window. “That will be all for the mo- ment,” he said brusquely. “But we shall probably want to see you to- morrow.” “I'll be at home all day. Glad to be of any service.” Hammle shot a covert look at Vance, made his adieux quickly, and went out down the passageway. Vance returned at once to the garden. Miss Beeton drew herself up a little as he approached her. “Do you feel equal to a few ques- tions?” he asked her. “Oh, yes.” She smiled with more assurance now, and rose. As we crossed the garden to the balustrade, Miss Beeton took a deep breath and shuddered slightly. “You'd better have your coat,” Vance suggested. He returned to the study and brought it out to her. When he had helped her into it she turned suddenly and looked at him inquiringly. “Why was my coat brought to the study?” she asked. Vance's tone was reassuring. We really owe you an explanation. You sees, two revolvers figured in Swift's death. One of them we all saw on the roof here—that was the one with which the chap was killed. But no one downstairs heard the shot in Professor Garden's vault—"" ‘““Ahl That was why you wanted storeroom to know if the key was in its place.” The girl nodded. “The shot we all heard,” Vance went on, “was fired from another revolver after Swift's body had been carried from the vault and placed in the chair out here. We were naturally anxious to find that other weapon, and Sergeant Heath made a search for it . " *“But—but—my coat?" Her hand went out and she clutched at Vance's sleeve as a look of under- standing came into her frightened eyes, ‘“Yes,"” Vance said, ‘‘the Sergeant found the revolver in the pocket of your top-coat. Someone had put it there as a temporary hiding-place.” She recoiled with a sudden intake of breath, “How dreadful!’ Her words were barely audible. Vance put his hand on her shoul- der. “But it's too terrible! . And then this—this attempt on my life. I can’t understand. I'm frightened.” “Come, come,” Vance exhorted the girl. “It's over now, and we need your help.” She gazed directly into his eyes for several minutes. Then she gave him a faint smile of confidence. “I'm very sorry,” she said sim- ply. ‘But this house—this family— they've been doing queer things to my nerves for the past month, I can't explain it, but there's some- thing frightfully wrong here . . , I was in charge of an operating room in a Montreal hospital for six months, attending as many as six and eight operations a day; but that never affected me the way this household does. There, at least, I could see what was going on-—I could help and know that I was Come Down From There!” But here everything goes “Yance! helping. do seems to be of any use. But please don't think I am not ready to help—to do anything I can for you. You, too, always have to work in the dark, don’t you?” “Don't we all have to work in the Vance murmured, without taking his eyes from her. ‘Tell me who you think could have been guilty of the terrible things that have happened here.” All fear and doubt seemed to have left the girl. She moved toward the balustrade and stood looking over the river with an impressive calm and self-control. CHAPTER XI “Woode Swift's death wasn’t at all the sort of thing I would expect to happen here,” the nurse said. “1 wouldn't have been surprised at some act of impulsive violence, but this premeditated murder, so sub- tle and so carefully planned, seems alien to the atmosphere here. Be- sides, it isn't a loving family, ex- cept on the surface. Floyd Garden is saner than the others. His in- terests are narrow, to be sure, but, on his own mental level. He's de- pendable, too, I think.” She paused and frowned. “As for Mrs. Garden, I feel that by nature she is shallow and is deliberately creating for hersell a deeper and more complex mode of life, which she doesn’t in the least understand. That, of course, makes her unreasonable and dangerous. I have never had a more unreason- able patient. She has no considera- tion whatever for others.” “And Professor Garden?” “He's a researcher and scientist, of course, and, therefore, not alto- gether human, in the conventional sense. I have thought sometimes that he isn't wholly rational.” “What is your impression of the guests who were present today?” Vance said. “1 don’t feel competent to pass judgment on them,” the girl re- plied seriously. ‘I can't entirely understand them. But each one strikes me as dangerous in his own way. They are all playing a game ~and it seems to be a game with- out rules. To them the outcome justifies the methods they use.” “Yes, quite. You have clear vi- sion.” Vance scrutinized the girl beside him. “And you took up nursing because you are able to face the realities. You are not afraid of life—or -* death.” The girl looked embarrassed. “You're making too much of my profession, After all, I had to earn my living, and nursing appealed to me," “Yes, of course. It would.” Vance nodded. ‘‘But tell me, wouldn't you rather not have to work for your living?" She looked up. “Perhaps. But isn't it natural for every woman to prefer luxury and security to drudgery and un- certainty?" “No doubt,” said Vance. “And speakin’ of nursing, just what do you think of Mrs. Garden's condi- tion?" Miss Beeton hesitated before she answered: “Really, I don't know what to say. I can’t understand it. And I rather suspect that Doctor Siefert himself is puzzled by it. Mrs. Garden is obviously a sick woman. She shows many of the symptoms of that nerv- ous, erratic temperament exhibited by people suffering from cancer. Though she's much better some days than others, I know that she suffers a great deal. tells me she is really a neurologi- cal case; but I get the feeling, at times, that it goes much deeper— that an obscure physiological condi- tion is producing the neurological symptoms she shows.” “That's most interestin’. Doctor Siefert mentioned something of the kind to me only a few days ago.” Vance moved nearer to the girl. “Would you mind telling me some- thing of your contacts with the members of the household?” “There's very little to tell. fessor Garden practically even knows I am there. Mrs. Gar- irritable admonition and intimate confidence. ways been pleasant and consider- ate. attitude." “And what of Swift-—did you see much of him?" swer. “The truth is, Mr. and the theater with him. impression that he was one of those up with the affections of women. I think that he was really concerned with Miss Graem, and merely turned to me through pique.” Vance smoked for a few moments in silence. Them he said: “What of the big race today? Had there been much discussion about it?" “Oh, yes. For over a week I've tension has been growing in the house. 1 heard Mr. Swift remark to Floyd Garden one evening that the Rivermont Handicap was his one remaining hope, and thought Equanimity would win." “Was it generally known to the other members of the afternoon race and Equanimity?"’ “Yes, the matter was freely dis- cussed for days.” “By the by,” asked Vance, "how did you come to bet on Azure Star?" “Frankly," ly, the horse - betting parties to make a wager myself. overheard you tell Mr. Garden that you had picked Azure Star, the name was so appealing that I for me. It was the first time I ever bet on a horse.” “And Azure Star came in.” Vance sighed. ‘Too bad. Actually you bet against Equanimity, you know-— he was the favorite. A big gamble. Most unfortunate that you won. Be- ginner's luck, d' ye see, is always fatal.” The girl's face became suddenly sombre, and she looked steadily at Vance for several moments before she spoke again. “Do you really think it will prove fatal?" “Yes. Oh, yes. Inevitable. You won't be able to resist making oth- er wagers. One doesn’t stop with the first bet if one wins. And, in- variably, one loses in the end.” Again the girl gave Vance a long and troubled look; then her gaze drifted to the darkening sky over- head. “But Azure Star is a beautiful name, isn't it?" She pointed up- ward. “There's one now.” We all looked up. High above we saw a single bright star shining with blue luminosity in the cloud- less sky. After a moment Vance moved toward the parapet and looked out over the waters of the river to the purpling hills and the still glowing sunset colors in the west. “No city in the world,” Vance said, "is as beautiful as New York seen from a vantage point like this in the early twilight.” (I wondered at his sudden change of mood.) He stepped up on the parapet and looked down into the great abyss of deep shadows and flickering lights far below. A curious chill of fear ran over me-the sort of fear I have always felt when I have seen acrobatic performers perilously bal anced high above a circus arena. Miss Beeton was standing close experienced sensation I felt, for I saw her face go suddenly pale. Her eyes were tov ot ith. 4 Woot ut. up: ve y “Vance!” It was Markham's stern voice that broke the silence. “Come down from there!" (TO BE CONTINUED) . wha wind about: The New NRA Bill. ANTA MONICA, CALIF. — They do say the new NRA bill, as drawn by the Gallagher and Shean of the administra- tion, Messrs. Corcoran and Cohen, is more sweeping than was the original NRA. Even Gen. Hugh Johnson, once as conversational as Mrs. Astor's par- rot, but lately exiled amid the uncongen- ial silences, crawls out from under a log in the woods with lichens in his hair, but the lower jaw still working smoothly in the socket, to tell how drastic a thing it is. Critics assert this legislation will cov- wet blanket over a being tucked under wet blankets is quite small. don't count. Anyhow, they didn’t in Maine, Vermont in the Ozark mountains, + . ® Friendly French Visitors. T SEEMS we were cruelly wrong in ascribing mercenary motives been dropping in on us lately. They relations. Of course, there's a new Still and all, I can't help thinking side to invite his old neighbor, Mr. years, to be a guest at Mrs. Pincus’ He gave full directions for travel- ing uptown, then added: “Vere we lif now it's von of dose So mit your in the doorjam downstairs und the lock goes glick- elbow, you gif one more little poosh on the foist door to the left und valk in—und vill mommer be surprised!” *“Vait,"” exclaimed Mr. Ginsburg. *“l could get to that Bronnix. I got brains, ain't it? But ulso I got fin. gers und thumbs. Vot is de poosh- Murmured Mr. Pincus gently: “Surely you vouldn’t come empty- ® * Visiting Ancient Ranchos. I NDER the guidance of Carillo, that most native of all native sons, I've been visiting such fornia. You almost expect to find Leo's cousins. early Carillos were pure Spanish, stock. When it came to progeny, the strain was to the Pacific coast what the Potomac shad has been to the eastern seaboard. It's more than a family—it's a species. And a mighty noble breed it is— producing even yet the fragrant es- sence of a time that elsewhere has vanished and a day when hospitality still ruled and a naturally kindly people had time to be mannerly and the instinct to be both simple and grandly courteous at once. Privileges of Nazidom. T BE German commoner may be shy on the food rations and have some awkward moments unless he conforms to the new Nazi religion. But he enjoys complete freedom of the press—or rather, complete free- dom from the press. And lately an- other precious privilege has been accorded him. He may fight duels. Heretofore, this inestimable boon was exclusive- ly reserved for the highborn. But now he may go forth and carve and be carved until the field of honor looks like somebody had been clean- ing fish. This increase in his blessings makes me recall a tale that Charley Russell, the cowboy artist, used to “The boys were fixing to hang a horse thief,”” Charley said. 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Price of patterns, 15 cents | {in coins) each. © Bell Syndicate —WNU Service, for Beware of Have you ever noticed that in very hot weather your organs of digestion and elimination seem to become torpid or lazy? Your food sours, forms gas, causes belching, heartburn, and a feeling of rest- lessness and irritability. Perhaps you may have sick headache, nausea and dizziness or blind spells on suddenly rising. Your tongue may be coated, your com- plexion bilious and your bowel actions sluggish or insufficient, Biliousness! These are some of the more common symptoms or warnings of biliousness or so-called “torpid liver,” so prevalent in hot climates, Don't neglect them. Take Calo- tabs, the improved calomel com- pound tablets that give you the effects of calomel and salts, com- bined. You will be delighted with the prompt relief they afford. Trial package ten cents family pkg. twenty-five cts. At d stores. (Adv. Of Good or Evil What a day may bring a day may take away. Your Work Thy hand is never the worse for doing thine own work. CHEW EDGE JAR :c RUBBERS PE-RO If bur desler cannot supply pc wh your dealer's samplv ox Tod Rings; sent prepaid. o Ju circulation plus the of our
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