The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-08
The Step on the Stairs
BY Isabel Ostrander

with decision. I'VE have young
iadda word for Il that Grlawold
lied. but neither OF them were under
oath. They're both under guard and
In the morning we'll have them down
on the carpet and get tho truth out
OF them"
That's good idea" approved
barry, And while you arc about
II. you might find out what time M.
tie Misa Shaw goes out and let tho
professor know. fancy hen DO wait.
Ing TO hear"
Craig stared.
"oh. yes; forgot that motto you
slipped under his door. You said
something about porch.elimblng and
chemistry. You're not putting any.
thing over on me. John7"
No" Barry smiled.
TIL put the men on guard outside
wise. so that they won't kick up n
rumpns II they see him. like a mod.
ern Santa Claus. perambulatlng the
fire escape with his white whiskrra
waving In the early morning breeze.
That note simply asked him to got
into the other apartments when he
was sure the occupants were gone,
and search for traces OF n certain
chemical compound"
But we'd only just LEFT Miss
Shaw's apartment: we hadn't seen
either Griswold's or Ladd'a Them
Craig exclaimed beneath his breath.
You don't suspect her. Johnf"
Barry smiled. but triflo dryiy.
Barry waited until tho younger
sergcant's footsteps had died away In
the quiet night air and then turned
to the guard.
/, 'poanc. do you know who ann"
Tho patroiman nodded.
IAN right" Barry broke In. u
take II that your orders tonight.
poane. are TO keep guard outside the
apartment here in which the woman
was shot unless you hear any sus.
plcious sound within. or sec some.
thing which YOU think should DO in.
vestlEated. Is that sof"
Right. sir" Doane responded.
Very good. You're going 10 sec
and hear something suspicious with.
In five minutes. and that something
Il going 10 be mel Understands
Il don't. SIR Doanc replied. "nut
what you say goes. You mean you
want TO have another look around
the placer I've orders not let any.
body in. but as long M you're taking
the responsibility. the lock Il
smashed and cant SEQ every shad.
ow In this dark hall"
Barry pushed open the broken
door. which swung drunkcnly on It's
hinges. and entering the pcrfumed.
Uttered living room. he found his
war 10 the wall switch and turned
on the opalescent iamnd.
Tho little writing desk was open.
Its profussnn OF papers scattered on
the floor. and tho drawers OF an al.
most priceless Chinese cabinet had
been forced Approaching the latter.
Barry observed that lis contents
was mainly scraps OF drawing paper
on which tiny figures had been
scrawied. each with a few def lines.
and picking ono up he whistled
softly.
II was a miniature earlcaturc.
cruel in us sharply defined character
deiineation. OF pompous. goodnatured
Theodore Vanaittnrt. husband OF the
woman whose unfinished portrait
stood on tho casri IN tho studio. and
glancing over the others Barry found
like caricaturcs OF several people
prominent In the social and political
life Of the city.
He was turning away from the
cabinet when he noticed something
which II was obvious that tho de-
tectives had overlooked. small com
pariment AT the top. with a handle
formed BY n tiny red gold dragon.
remained undlsturbed.
Barry tugzcd at the little dragon
but IL was immovable. the single gilt
eye above It's snout.iikc nose seeming
70 wink mockingly at the futllity Of
his efforts. Something about that
eye and the curious formation Of It's
socket gave the sergeant sudden
inspiration. and taking blunt pen.
Gil from his pocket he pressed sharp
Is upon the golbule OF gilt M upon
a bell button.
Instantly the dragon turned in.
ward as upon n spring, the front Of
compartment dropped forward on
noiseiess. unseen hinges and the in
terror OF the small. secret space was
exposed.
Mentally eonRratulatlng himself
that Doane had elected TO remain
outside. Barry drew forth the con.
tents OF the compartment in both
hands and carried II carefully TO n
small table. II was evident enough
ut last that somewhere beneath the