The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-08-14

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and every effort seems to me bit
er-unlimited."
"You want to limit it," asked Cum
ltinkham, his cool grey eyes fixed on
Larry's face.
The latter looked up quietly.
"Pcrhaps not limit Il. but, rather,
assist in, its direction"
"Oh, that's all right, we're glad Of
any. assistance. Now. while I'm not
professional detective. 1 am acting
under authority, am endorsed by
the club, and SO trust Pm not cx-
ceeding my rights in asking for the
freedom Of the house for purposes Of
investigation"
You mean unquestioncd access to
all rooms :" lnman stared at him.
II mean just that" and Cunning
ham stared back. II can imagine no
possible objection. The examination
Of Mrs. Henth's room il Of utmost
Importance. and I'm sure Miss Moore
would say no word against my enter
ing her rOOm."
Indeed ! would" and. Bunny drew
herself up angrily. "Nhy should
you go into my room. Mr.. Cunning
ham,
st is an established custom, Miss
Moore, to inspect carefully, and with
an eye to helpful evidence, all parts
Of tho house and grounds in which
a crime has been committed. I am
sorry to say. the police, in this case,
have been lax in this respect. But
am told it is due to the absence OF
Mr.. Heath. That, however, is really
an additional reason for haste and
care in the matter Of search, for Mr..
Hcath's disappearance is a puzzle in
itself, and it is highly probable that
the two mysteries are intcrdcpcnd-
cnt."
"Now. Mr.. Cunningham" Mrs.
Prcntiss broke lin, you're wasting
good time. thrashing out foolish
questions. Of course. Mr.. Imam
wants you to have full swing here.
and likewise Of course. Miss Moore
wants you to make full search.
She's new to this business and
doesn't understand. So you 20 right
ahead, full steam. and I'll bet a
cooky. you unearth some clue that
nobody else has noticed. You go
into the, studio therc---that's where
the awful thing happened,-and you
Cunningham disappeared into tho
like shadow at bis heels.
"All rubbed down and polished
up" cried Cunningham. disgustedly.
MS he saw the spick and span roor,.
~ did think they'd have the place
guarded from that sort Of thing"
What arc you out for, anyway ?"
asked To-day. who was eagerly wait
ing to see the detective work.
"Oh, just hints--but who could get
amy hints here? Body gone. Weapon
rcmovcd,--cvcn the broken bits of
glass swept up! No chance for foot
prints on this thick carpet. No fin
ger prints on these carefully busted
knicknacks and dOO-dads. Even
Hcath's painting materials are all
put away rs neatly as a lady's work
basket"
"But what good would finger
prints do you? II they were those
Of the family party, they would mean
nothing. And if strange ones, how
would you know whose 7"
Point pretty we'll taken. And
I'm not really keen for finger prints.
| just want something--somcthing
indicative or suggestive. Well, here
are some letters" He ran over a
handful he drew from pigconholc.
Nothing any good! They're bills
or club notices, mostly. No billets
dOux from ad0ring damsels or any,
thing like that. Ny. he has . lot Of
pipe cleaning paraphernalia! Look
at all these c0ntrapti0ns."
Teddy Buck gazcd without inter-
est at the array of patent devices
for cleaning pipes or cigarette hold
crs.
"Too many" he said. contcmptu-
ously. IAN old bit of wire does me.
And say, how tidy he keeps his
paints. All in perfect order. !
thought artists were a messy lot
Heath isn't. He loves things or
derby. His wife did, too. Look at
all this glass Of hers. ranged in rows
in these two cabinets. Not piece
set awry, and all shining and speck-
less"
Eyes. and there's a row of old bot
ties like the one she was killed with. ;"
Teddy spoke in an awe-stricken
tone. This business seemed "a bit
gruesome to him, though he was
deeply interested.
"Now. maybe, Mr.. Cunningham"
he went on. maybe the murderer,
whoever he was touched up the
lady's face with these pants, instead
Of regular cosmetics"
AL Cunningham looked up quickly.
1T might be possible. cant WIS.,
ualizc that scene, Buck. If Heath
killed his wife, l can understand his
painting her face, for he was always
at her to do it herself, and, too, ht
was an artist and forever dabbling
with brushes. But I don't think he
killed her. For there's no way he
could get out. Whereas, if he went
away, before she was killed, then
clearly some ono in the house is the
criminal, and tried to turn Suspicion
to Heath by setting up the card and
all that"
"Who, for choice!"
'Well, Inman is good guess. He
had . motive, opportunity. and tune.
And he's clever enough to arrange