New Britain herald., 1926-08-30

shortly. ... .
II am guest of the Heaths,
Bunny returned, a little brusque, be
cause she was not accustomed Il
such abrupt manners.
"Oh, you are. Where is Mr.. Heath
What am I wanted for, anyway"
Herrick, who had admitted tn,
doctor, said, respectfully: IF yot
will come this way, sir"
He led the way to the studio, anc
DR., Conklin walked in silence aftel
| him.
Bunny followed, timidly, and witt
hesitating steps.
She saw the doctor pause sudden,
ly, as he reached the studio door
and clench his hands, while his face
took on a look of horror.
But he said no word, and strobe
over to the body that lay on the
floor.
The candles had gone out. a black
wick fallen over in a small pool OF
melted wax being all that remained
in each tall candlestick.
For few seconds, the mans
piercing eyes took in the details, the
card propped against one candle
stick. the bizarre effect of the gay
colored beads and scarf, the glazing
tints of the makeup on the dead
face, and the terrible wound on the
temple, that was visible only in part.
Quickly. then. he stopped, and
gently turned the head the better to
examine this abrasion.
1t was obvious to him at once that
death had resulted from a sudden
and powerful blow, delivered by a
strong hand.
Also, the weapon used was in evil
dence.
Beside the fractured skull lay the
broken fragments of brown bottle
of thick, heavy glass.
About to pick these up, DR.. Conk-
lin thought better of it, and content
ed himself with looking closely at
them.
"a brutal job" he said, indignant
". "This woman was struck on the
temple with this heavy bottle, and
killed almost instantly! Who did it ?"
His question was addressed to no
one in particular, but as he raised
his eyes, he disco yered he had sew
eral auditors.
Bunny, wide-eyed and white-fac-
ed, had sunk into chair, and was
clutching at the window curtain
nearest her.
Larry Inman had come in also,
and stood, leaning against the man.
tel. his face set and horror-stricken.
Herrick was inside the room, on
duty, but the other servants were
lowering just outside the studio door,
all more or less moaning their grief
or murmuring their opinions.
where is Mr.. Health" the doctor
asked, rising from his examination.
Who is in charge here?"
There. was a moments silence and
then Inman said, I'VE do not know
where Mr.. Heath is, doctor. He has
not been seen this morning at all.
In his absence I suppose ] would
better assume charge of things. / am
4 cousin of Mrs. Heath's. Is it's 1t
Though he baked at the terrible
word, every one listened breathlessly
,or the answer.
Murder? Yes! OF the most brutal,
iastardly type! Where is this wom-
ms husband? %
He turned to the butler, who
shook his head.
Nobody knows, sir. Mr.. Heath
vas here last night, but he is not
lere now. His bed seems not to have
,een slept in"
"Well, the further proceedings are
lot for me to conduct. l will tell
he police, and they will take charge.
Mr.. Inman, will you call UP the Har-
,or Park police station?''
But Inman turned this task over
o Herrick. For one thing, Larry
lad no intention of taking orders
rom the family physician, and, too,
lie was much shaken as to nerves,
md it was more than he could face,
o call In the police to investigate
he death of Myra, his beautiful
ousin! ....
He made no apology for shifting
he errand to another, and turned
to Bunny, as he saw her
ace blanch afresh at the police call.
Dr. Conklin looked at the pair GU
iously. They were not at all friendly
n their attitude toward him, and he
wondered why.
CHAPTER VII
DIR. Conklin was fairly well ac-
uainted with the Heaths, for, on
occasion, he had prescribed for their
minor ailments and had, too. once |
r twice met them socially. -
He was a Gardens man himself, |
or, of course, no Gardener would
ave Park physician.
But the police had to come from |
he Park. and it was astonishing how |
uickly they managed to appear.
Three or four men arrived, but the
oroner and a. detective sergeant |
ook the case in hand. II
Wilil pei LuliSlOly iiOb CT 'iiS |
rief summary DR.. Conklin gave
i'm, the coron-r set about his own |
Examination of thu body.
He had never known Myra Heath
n life, and therefore, was not sur
rised at the pronounced makeup OF
er face.
But he showed his amazement at
he candlesticks with their traces OF
urnt-out candles, and especially at
he penned card.
1.-THE Work of Perry Heath" he
cad, with an incredulous express
ion on his shrewd, small counte-
ance. Her husband, eh? Where
he?"
Informed that Heath was mex
licably missing. he nodded sagaci-
usly.
MADE his getaway, did he? Well.
II be a hard job to find him, for II !
e had the nerve to sign his handi-
-ork, he must be we'll out of the
by this time. What say
bout how long she's been dead,
onklin? Some seven or eight hours,