Evening star., 1923-08-08
Continued from Yesterdays Starr

The undertaker's manner changed.
"Morgue" brought out so bluntiy o.
Tended his delicate susceptibilltes.
He apprehended an unfriendly atmos-
phere. He signified an affirmative.
rs it here now?" asked Gregg.
May l ask what is your interest III
the matter?" ,o.
II represent the dead mans niece.
Yes, it is here.
MAY I see it?" - =,
being prepared. A little later per
haps-if you will be good enough 10
bring the necessary authorization.
authorization from whom"
mans nephew. who engaged the
services of my establishment"
Would you mind describing this
man to me?"
The undertaken looked astonished,
but complied nevertheless. "A young
and stocky. very dark. pale skin
through which his beard showed
though he was freshly shaven. a
purplish scar on his left cheek bone" )"
one Of the men in the 9Th street
house. "I believe l have met the
gentleman" he said dryly, but I
cannot promise to produce creden-
tials from him. Instead l will try
TO bring the dead mans niece here
body"
'"That will be too late, sir"
What do you mean?"
My instructions are to have the
body cremated without delay. l ship
to the crematory this evening"
Greg struck his fist into his palm.
IL might have guessed as much! ne
cried.
Il don't understand you. sir.
You have been deceived" said
= Greg earnestly. This is really the
body of Antonia Bareda. who was
murdered. His murderers are trying
to destroy the evidence of their
crime"
The undertaken smiled indulgently.
My dear sir, This is preposterous
charge! You may be assured that l
satisfied myself everything was IN
order before 1 accepted the work"
How i'm order'?" Greg demanded.
THE death certificate, the permit
from the board of health, the younger
Mr.. Alfieri's credentials-
They have both money and infiu-
enCe," put in Greg.
The dead mans jewelry was still
on his person when the body was
brought here"
Men are murdered for other rea
sons than to secure their valuables.
Look here, if / bring a reputa bic
physician here will you allow him
to perform an autopsy?
Not without the consent of my
client.
Il hope he paid you in advance"
said Greg.
The other shrugged.
Did he give you an address,?
The other named a number far up
town.
I'll swear 1T is fictitious. Will you
do me the favor of investigating the
address,"
Il am not convinced Of the neces-
sity for that
but you will at least delay the
shipment of the body until l can get
in communication with the dead
mans niece?"
Il intend to carry out my instruc-
tions to the letter"
Greg perceived that the man was
handsome fee that had been paid him.
He felt he was wasting his time, but
he tried one more appeal.
But don't you see, sir, that in ask
Ing you to delay matters could have
no possible motive except to discover
the truth, while the motives of those
who wish to destroy the body so
hastily are at least open to suspi-
cion?"
You should go to the police" was
the cold reply. THAT is what the
police are for
: IL can't open a vulgar newspaper
sensation until 1 am surer of my
ground"
do nothing for you"
Greg tried new line. Look here,
when you have shipped this body
your interest in it is at an end,
isn't it?"
The other shrugged expressively.
1.-THE ashes will be returned to me
in due course. The order includes
handsome urn for their reception"
"A bit of stage play" said Greg
bitterly. 1T will never be called
for. If this body happened to come
back here from another direction
would you accept an order to en-
balm it?
That would hardly be ethical"
was the snug reply. "Of course, If
the crematory cared to take the re-
sponsibility of departing from my
order. you could take it to some other
embalmer."
Can you suggest anybody?" asked
Greg slyly.
We'll, there's my son." replied the
clay-faced one, blandly. "He Is just
starting in business for himself. But
it's in Brooklyn"
That doesn't matter"
. He gave an address.
Thank you very much" said Greg
dryly. Where is the crematory?"