Tombstone epitaph., 1916-02-27

come to me. Maybe the spirits sent 1t. You can laugh, Inspector McGee, but there's something in this spirit thing. used to think there was. an then again I'd think there wasn't even in my own clairvoyance. | Well. anyhow. 1t came to me like a fash-boarders! could run my house just the way l wanted, because I needn't look out for profits. An could take jest who l wanted and shut out whoever l didn't want The thought chirked me . lot. So l fixed all the bedrooms up seIsible with good white and gold beds and adult size towels an gave them all little fxy touches that made them homelike.
 An was jest ready to begin to happened. The idea struck me as soon as saw the state or the people in that house. The police would put 1t under guard, an the boarders would be out of . home. So l moved 'em over bodily. all but the one you pinched-the sick little dago woman from upstairs. an the two girls, and that funny old Professor Noll. An I'm even putting up with the landlady-if 1t was other peoples troubles was lookin' for. l got 'em all right"
 Gee" calculated Martin McGee T can use you"
 | Yes, you can" interrupted Rosalle, but you won't l know what you want You want me to go to work an help cinch this case Well, won't. I'm out of that business. too. What I'm here for. Martin McGee-beyond the pleasure l always took in your society"-here Rosalie let her dimples | play and haeh-'is to tell all l know or saw, SOS. you won't be callin' me at the inquest an gettin me a fea- ture in the papers"
 How about this man North?" asked the Inspector.
 Well, in the first place, I like him. !" said Rosalie: 'I like that boy. Looks | like an alibi for him when the land lady says he come up the stairs only minute before he hollered. an the | doctor says that this Haneka had been dead two or three hours. Appeared to me like he vas jest jared out of a drunk. too. How about this Lawrence Wade or whatever his name was-the man who called with the bag? Got him?"
 He was arrested this morning in Boston"
 "Skippin'? Looks bad But now. Inspector, just to close things up. I'm out of this case. I've given you all I know. Your police will be botherin' my boarders a lot with questions; an so will the reporters. Just trust me to steer that You keep me out | Martin McGee sighed
 All right. Rosalie; but I'd like your help. Still. owe you lots of good turns. and the case don't look as mysterious, after all. guess its that fellow Wade"
 T guess probably" admitted Rosa. | lie. Most mysteries ain't mysteries at all after the first day. Well. now. I'm botherin' busy man in office hours an I must run along. Let's see-fve minutes to four, an it's bad luck to so before the hour. Suppose you tell me about yourself an how the worlds usin' you?''
 Inspector McGee sat back in his office chair and waxed eloquent. How. ever, his narrative of pulls and pro. motions and Tammany influence was never finished. For before the hour struck, the silent attentive doorman entered and lad on his desk a card. Inspector McGee took 1t up, glanced at 1t perfunctorily, and suddenly let out an exclamation which had all the power and verve of an oath.
 By the great cats," he exclaimed Took at that-'Mrs. John H. Han ska"
 Rosalie took the card and fingered 1t.
 The widow, bet"
 Thought he was single" remarked the Inspector. Though, after all. I'd just been taking 1t for granted"
 Well" said RosaHe. rising. that's come-again-soon for me"
 But the Inspector was observing her with eyes which held quizzical invita- ton.
 Honest now." he said. "wouldn'' you like to sit in on this interview
 Rosalie flashed her dimples and con templated him for a second. Then with the unexpected lightness whicf marked all her movements. she sal down.
 "ses here. Martin McGee." she said you ain't goin' to make a fool Of me draggin' me into this case-but Tn dying to listen just the same"
 Show them in," said the Inspector on the instant. and a though fearing that she would pull back her permis sion.
 But not unless she's willing" sait Rosalis, as they waited And then through the door came twt women.
 Good Lord!" commented Rosali' under her breath.
 .I CHAPTER Ilt.