Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-11-05
Crimson Stain Mystery
CONTINUED FROM PAGE EIGHT
ruIG SEETInN


clothes mans side. The window was
open.
on the livingroom floor, face up
ward. sprawled TruXton Lambert "a
bullet wound through his head.
Senscless and lying asprawl on rug,
just in front of the alcove curtains,
lay Robert Clayton. His clothing was
awry. one hand clutched n revolver.
Stanley bent over him as Award
and the policeman knelt beside Lam
bert. Listening at Clayton's heart
Stanley found the artist was still liv-
ing. No wound was on his body. In
deed he seemed more like man
who was fast asleep than like the
victim of n swoon.
Presently. Award rose from Lam
bert's side and crossed over to Clay
ton. Taking the revolver from the
ARTISTS nerveless fingers. he broke"
IT. One cartridge alone had been
fired.
THAT seems to settle IT," pro-
nounced Award, "he shot that other
fellow, and then kneeled over from
shock at what he'd done. But what
| can't understand is how he had
time to rob him, too. before we got
here. The other mans watch and
ring and studs are gone and his
pockets are inside out"
clared Harold positively. "Ive known
him all his life. He might or might
not shoot a man in anger. But he'd
never rifle the body. Beside, you
yourself see he couldn't have done 1t
in the time he had. And there is no
sign of the loot anywhere about him.
No well have to look further. III
stake my life on his innocence. And
I'll be responsible for his appearance
In court If he Is wanted"
Out stepped-Parrish. The great
detective shut the door behind him.
silenced his subordinate's amazed
queries with a gesture and said i'm
peratively:
Come and help me search this
| flat"
with the dumfounded Award fol-
lowing, Parrish led the way down the
hall toward the dining room at the
rear. At the diningroom threshold
he halted.
There at full length l;y Vanya
Tosca Around her white throat
showed faint marks Of the finger
necklace" so familiar to the police.
At Awards cry of amazement
Stanley and the policeman came run
ming down the hall.
"The Crimson stain" exclaimed
Stanley in horror as he saw the tell
/ u
fainter than ever I've seen them.'
Award was chatting the uncon-
scious woman's hands. Parrish fluns
n glassful of ice water into her face.
Slowly Vanya began to revive. Stan.
lev lifted glass of spirits to her lips
She slipped the fiery liquid, then
shivered and sat upright.
"whats-what's happened?" she
murmured.
"That's what we're here to ask
you," answered Parrish roughly
What do you know about all this?
Come, now. speak up!'
I-I come In here toto get some
clgarets for Mr.. Clayton and Mr..
Lambert" she murmured incoher-
emily. "They were calling on me. I
came in here. And-and somebody
crept up behind me and caught me by
the throat I-oh, l don't remember
anything after that-except that l
could not breathe"
THE Crimson Stain" cried Award
In triumph, that's 1t. He tried TO
strangle her Then Clayton and
Lambert get to quarreling In the liv-
ingroom, and the shot scared this
! Crimson Stain murderer away before
he could finish his work. That's it."
Come back TO the livingroom. all
| OF you" ordered Parrish. Help the
lady along with us. Wen go over the
ground there once more"
/ Back they trooped to the scene Of
the shooting. the rear OF the flat be-
ing thus left vacant. And along the
vacated hallway ran Tanner. He
halted at a closet door, stopped, gath
cred the -suffocated Florence up
in his arms and sped back TO the
| kitchen with her.
"Quickl" whispered La Rue. who
awaited him there. Get her out of
this. Take her to your own place and
finish the business there. II isn't safe
to do It here. / didn't count on the
front window being open and the shot
being located so quickly. Vanya's ex-
planned the rest. But she couldn't ex-
plain Florence Montrose's body being
found here"
Tanner, shifting his limp burden in
his arms bounded down the stairs.
AS he reached the sde entrance he
tore away the enveloping coat. Flor
ence lay very still. her eyes shut. as