Evening Star Newspaper, October 26, 1930, Page 27

By S. S. Van Dine Copyright, 1930, by 8. 8. Van Dine. INSTALLMENT XIV. ARKHAM had been standing | scowling at the floor and smoking furiously. The shoe episode had disconcerted htm.‘ But now he looked up and | made an impatient gesture. “You're making a mountain odt of affair, Vance,” he asserted ag- gressively. “A number of simple ex- planations suggest themselves. The | most_plausible one seems to oe that Dr. Bliss, when he came down stairs | this morning, picked up his tennis | shoes to have them handy in his study, | and in _his nervousness—or merely ac- | cidentally—dropped one, or even failed to pick both of them up, and did not discover the fact until he was here—" “And then,” continued Vance, with a Japish grin, “he took off one slipper and put on the tennis shoe, murdered Kyle, re-exchanged it for his temporarily dis- carded slipper, and tucked the tennis shoe in the waste-basket.” “It's possible.” ‘Vance sighed audibly. “Possible—yes. I sup] that al- most anything is p:ssible in this illogi- cal world. But really, Markham, I can’t subscribe enthusiastically to your touchin’ theory of the doctor's having picked up one shoe instead of two and not having known the difference. He's much too orgderly and methcdical—too consclous of *detail. “Let us assume, then,” Markham per- sisted, “that the doctor actually wore one tennis shoe and one bed room slip- per when he came to the study this morning. Scarlett told us his feet troubled him a great deal.” “If that hypothesis is correct.” count- | ered Vance, “how did the other bed | room slipper get down stairs. He would hardly have put it in his pocket and carried it along.” “Brush perhaps. . . ." Heath had been following the discus- slon closely, and now went into action. “We can check that point pronto, Mr. Vance,” he said; and going briskly to the hall door, he called down the stairs to the butler. But no help came from Brush. He de- eclared that neither he nor any member of the household had been near the study after Bliss had gone there at 8 o'clock, with the one exception of the time when he carried the doctor's breakfast to him. When asked what shoes the doctor was wearing, Brush an- swered that he had taken no notice. When the butler had gone Vance shrugged his shoulders. “Let’s not fume and whirret our- selves over the mysteriously separated pair of tennis shoes. My prim'ry rea- son for luring you to the study was to inspect the remains of the doctor’s breakfast. Markham gave a perceptible start, | and his eyes narrowed. “Good Heavens! You don't believe. + .2 Tl confess I thought of it, too. But then came all that other evi- “Thought of what, sir?” Heath was tnnkxx exasperated, and his tone was | rril e. “Both Mr. Markham and I,” explain- ed Vance, soothingly, “noted the dazed condition’ of Dr. Biiss when he ap- morning peared this continued pounding on the door.” X Didn't he tell us “Quite. And that’s why I'm so dashed interested in his matutinal coffee.” Vance walked to the end of the desk | g, upon which rested a small silver tray containing a rack of toast and a cup|g toast not been over and looked lifted it to his this crime. All its outward appearances are misleading—deliberately so0.” “How long will this experiment take?” | ifft Markham was patently impressed by ‘Vance's tone. “Only a few minutes. . . ." Heath had taken a sheet of new: per from the basket and was care- fully wrapping up the cup. “This goes to our chemist,” he ex plained sullenly. “I'm not doubting yo Mr. Vance, but I want an expert an- alysis.” “You're quite right, sergeant.” “Vance's eye at that moment caught sight of a small bronze tray on the desk, containing several yellow pencils | fl and a fountain pen. Leaning over cas- ually, he picked up the pencils, glanced at them and put them back on the | tray. Markham noted the action, as did I, but he refrained from asking any question. “The experiment will have to be made in the museum,” Vance said; “and I'll||} need a couple of sofa pillows for it.”” He walked to the divan and tucked two large pillows under his arm. Then he went to the steel door and held it open. Markham and Heath and I passed down the spiral stairs, and Vance fol- lowed us. (To be continued.) Among the special attractions for the annual convention, to be held Novem- ber 4 and 5 in the Calvary Baptist Church, will be an address by Dr. F. Scott McBride. He speaks Wednesday at 2 oclock. Mrs. D. C. Gordon, wife of ‘the Christian Church pastor of Mount Rainier, will read the first aft- ernoon. Mrs. Constance will give “Glimpses of the Passion Play” and many singers will assist, including Helen Donofrio_and Mrs. Carleton Edwards. The_sesslons start at 10 am. Mrs. N. M. Pollock will preside at the sessions and Mrs. Margaret Wright Scuts will preside at the evening meeting Novem- r 4. ‘The Edna Taylor Branch met recent- ly at the home of Miss Katherine Fowler, on Otis street northeast. Henry Stanton, president, presided. Election of officers resulted in the re-election of the following: President, Henry Stan- ton; corresponding secretary, Miss Norma Hoage; recording secretary, Miss Ruth Carlson, and Miss Vesta Pollock, treasurer. Miss Margaret Parsons was elected vice president to fill the vacancy caused by Miss Frances Doran Féuntain marrying and moving to Miami, Fla, The following directors were selected: Flower Mission, Miss Mildred Ehling; international relations, Miss Julia Rouse; social and entertainment, Carl Carlson; soldiers and sailors, Katherine Fowler, and evangelistic, Miss Lurlyne ttus. There was a rehearsal of the play to be given in connection with the Young People’s night at the annual convention. A play will be given tomorrow eve- ning at the Calvary Baptist Church under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. O. G. Christgau, author of the 5 Mrs. W. H. Wadleigh, Charles T. Windle, E. B. Dunford, W. B. Berlin, Rev. Howard E. Snyder, W. H. Wad- leigh, Bart Pigman, Rev. Thomas Da Byron Kyle, Mrs. Arthur Adelman, Mr. rchoff, Mrs. A. E. Bell, Alvin Day, Mrs. H. A. Morrison, Mrs. Richard E. . Boss, Mrs. R. Hoage, Mrs. Charles P. Grandfield, A. C. Proctor, Charles C. Mendel r:m:l Mrs. Mary E. Benhoft will part. The Northeast Suburban Union met leaned | ot the home of Mrs. Charles Williams, 2505 Brentwood road northeast, October 32 at 2 p.m,, President Mrs. R. E. Boss “There's a slightly acrid odor here,” |in the he remarked. He touched the tip of his finger to the inside of the gup and placed it on bl . gust what T though; “Yes! . . . ‘¢ P prim. Asa e pawdsred oppum-—the “‘Opium. 's um-— kind comme used in e ‘The other forms and derivatives of opium— such as laudanum, morphine, heroin, not easily ob- swered my knock. Also, it migh! cate that some one asked for a drink of water.” He looked at Markham. “Does this of cl . A talk was given the District El!‘lldenl, Mrs. M‘l’ry beck Mrs. A. L. Foster was the leader. Re- freshments were served by the hostess. Unguarded Girls—Unnecessary. Little Theater, 9th & F. All week.— Advertisement. ™ Ly = A purple pearl worth $1,000 has been fflllndlun the Black River near Poplar , Mo. The Susquehanna 1430 W Street N.W. 3 Rooms, Kitchen and Bath, $40 Telephone National 5000 For immediate delivery of The Star to your home every evening and Sunday morning. ‘The Route Agent will collect at the end of each month, at the rate of 1% cents per day and 5 cents Sunday. the oplum affect the doctor status?” | “It's certainly a strong point in his| favor,” Markham returned after several | moments. That he was deeply perplexed was only too apparent. But he was loath to forego his belief in Bliss’ gullt; and when he spoke again it was obvious that he was arguing desperately against Vance's | new discovery. “I realize that the presence of the oplum will have to be explained away before a conviction can be assured. But, on the other hand, we don’t know | how much opium he took. Nor do we know when he took it. He may have | drunk the coffee after the murder— ‘we have only his word that he drank it at 9 o'clock. . . . No, it certainly doesn’t affect the fundamental issue— though it does raise a very grave ques- tion. But the evidence against him is too strong to be counterbalanced by this one point in his favor. Surely, you must see, Vance, that the mere pres- ence of opium in that cup is not con- | clusive evidence that Bliss was asleep from 9 o’clock until you knocked on the study door.” | “The perfect public prosecutor,” | sighed Vance. “But a shrewd defense lawyer could sow many fecund seeds of doubt in the jurors’ so-called minds— eh, what?" | ‘The admission came after a| 90 "True. moment's thou “But we can't over- Jook the fact that Bliss was practically the mlykfi:mn who had the u- nity to Kyle. Every one el was out of the house, with the exception of Hani; and Hanl impresses me as & harmless fanatic who believes in the the only hand when Kyle was murdered.” Vance studied Markham for several seconds. Then he said: b it had not been necess'ry for the murderer to have been any- where near the museum when Kyle was killed with the statue of Sakhmet.” Markham took his cigar slowly from mouth. hh“whndomun? How could that statue have been wielded by an absent person? It strikes me you're talking nonsense. I am” Vance was trou- bled and serious. “And yet, Markham. I found something on top of that end cabinet which makes me think that ma the murder was planned with diabolical ‘cleverness. . . . As I told , I want to make an experiment. mn ‘when I have made it. your course D. C. Mother Knew Best ISE mothers find the thi that keep children content. happy, well. ost of them have learned they can depend on one thing | to restore a youngster's good nature | when he’s cross, fretful, upset. The experience of Mrs. L. J. Grant, 1 G St, S. E., W i typical one. She say: lifornia Fig Syrup with Howard and Frank for quite some time. Whenever they’re the least bit con- stipated or restless I give them a little. It has them comfortable, hap ell in a jiffy. Their splendid condition proves 1 knew best when I decided to use this wonderful preparation with them.” hysicians endorse the use of pure vegetable California Fig Syrup when bad breath, coated tongue, dullness, feverishness, listlessness, etc., show a child’s bowels are in need of help. Weak stomach and bowels are toned by its gentle aid; appetite increased; digestion and milation are so assisted that w undernourished children quickly improve in weight, strength and energy. ‘The genuine always bears the word California. So look for that when buying. All drugstores have it. CALIFORNIA of action must rest entirely on your tions. . . . 's some- FIG SYRUP A’ THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, B, Q. , OCTOBER 26, 1930—PART ONE. 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Room Suites $299 Ten-piece Dining Suite $375 Ten-piece Dining Suite.. $465 Ten-piece Dining Suite $650 Ten-piece Dining Suite.. Merit” $1.95 Tabouret 89¢ If you are b the plants indoors for th%r you will find these tabourets very con- venient. Made of hardwood; wal- nut finish, $95 Secretary Gov. Winthrop design. Mae hgunyfl nl?i:d gumwopd, in Co= $19.75 Baby Carriage $14.50 Loom-woven fiber with artillery woodd.wheeh and protecting wind- $24.50 Gateleg Table No table for occasional use has frelur popularity than the gate- eg. The table featured in this special sale has a solid mahogany top and is of excellent con- struction. $32.50 Colonial Bureau Just what you are needing for that extra fidroom‘ ‘The con- struction ts of genuine wal- nut veneers and gumwood.