The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-01

predecessor scmyonov, tho oeienrat'
"a chemist whose profound Know
,oaso OF toxieology had moro thah
nncn been placed at the disposal OF
mo authorities In tho solution OF
crime. tugEcd at his bushy white SIDE
,yhiskers and gaRed at Sergeant John
Iarry from the Homicide Bureau
THO professors head with us sheeA
=, whito hair nodded slowly ana MS
shrcwd eyes twinklcd.
.you tell mo that there Is now
ea,mness upon the waterss No crime
az morn Importance than tho average
notify mIsdemeanor engages tho at
,en,ion OF your burcauG Is that why
Won have honorcd me tonight with an
unexpected but most welcome eau.
and m your civilian elothesg
you've got me, Professor semy'
onoyr' Tho detective laughed again
frankly. 'srhere's no crime wave
threatening TO break over us that !
know OF. but rather curious case
has come TO our attention az head
quarters"
The roll OF distant but approaching
thunder broke In upon his words.
eve are going TO have storm"
Tho professor rose from his chair
and waddling over to the windows
pulled down the shades. He moved
with astonishing rapidity and visor.
II do not like 10 watch Il approach
Il fills me with q sense OF suspense,
OF forehoding. II is the electricity
In the air, suppose. You shall tell
me all about your case. but first you
must see my apartment, My labora'
tories are quite on tho other side OF
the city, you know. but here ON this
old square where the aristocrney OF
forgotten generations lived once upon
a time find the absolutely different
atmosphere which brings relaxation"
Barry followed his host thru q SPA
cious. old.fashIoned dressing room
and bath 10 the bedroom at the back.
Here, too. the professor paused 10
pull down tho shades and then open.
ing q door at the right displayed 4
modern kitehenette.
This house, you perceive. must once
have been family mansion but L has
now been made over. an apartment 10
each floor Professor Semyonov eS'
planned. "A shop Of hammered brasscs
and other atrocities occupies tho
street level. a young gentleman whom
do not know has but lately arrived
on the second floor. His apartment
Is larger than mine. however. for an
EXTRA room is built out over the
strip OF garden but the extension
end on the floor above his IN a
studio with Skyllght. II Is cccu.
pied. that third floor. by a woman
who paints portraits. Mrs. MeGrath
tslls me.
The fourth apartment, that direct
ly below minc here. houses a
crotchcty geltk man with no ear fol
music: no raps on his ceiling when
play my violin az unreasonable hours
Above me in an attic studio live,
one Of the feminine freaks peculiar
20 tho neighborhood in its deciininE
years: a shocked. thin. wralth.liks
creature with bodied hair and a
pointed chin. She might be 20 or 40
and 1, Is understood that she write,
for tho eccentric little magazine,
which spring up sporadleaily here
about. SO now. my dear sergeant
you are acquainted with my hom,
and it, surroundings. What do yot
think OF IL"
He chuckIed as he led the wal
back 10 the living room and BARR
followed, at a loss what 10 reply. TIL,
professor was known on three cont
nenis. his scientific discoveries ha,
made him rich; he might have llyet
In solitary state In a house OF his owl
Or occupied the most expensive bach
elor apartment In town. why had h
chosen to hide himself away In sucl
dingy. dreary quarters2
You seem 10 be mighty comfort
able. Professor semyonov." Tho dc
tective spoke as heartily as no coul,
and his host laughed outright.